Irijah יִרְאִיָּיה
Captain who arrested Jeremiah for desertion.
Who is Irijah in the Bible?
Irijah was a captain of the guard in Jerusalem who arrested the prophet Jeremiah during the Babylonian siege of the city, as recorded in Jeremiah 37:13-14. When Jeremiah attempted to travel to the territory of Benjamin during a lull in the siege, Irijah seized him at the Benjamin Gate and accused him of deserting to the enemy Babylonians. Though Jeremiah denied the charge, Irijah brought him before the officials, who beat and imprisoned the prophet. His name means "Yahweh sees" in Hebrew, and his actions illustrate the paranoia and suspicion that gripped Jerusalem's leadership as the city faced imminent destruction, even toward the prophets sent to warn them.
Biography
Irijah was a captain of the guard who arrested the prophet Jeremiah at the Benjamin Gate in Jerusalem, as recorded in Jer.37.13-14. When Jeremiah attempted to go to the territory of Benjamin during a lull in the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, Irijah seized him and accused him of deserting to the Babylonians. Jeremiah denied the charge, but Irijah still brought him to the officials, who beat Jeremiah and imprisoned him. Irijah's name means "Yahweh sees" in Hebrew. His action reflects the tense and suspicious atmosphere in Jerusalem during the Babylonian invasion.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 2 verses
- Jeremiah 37:13
"But when he reached the Gate of Benjamin, the captain of the guard, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, seized him and said, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans!”"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 37:14
"“That is a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials."
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יִרְאִיָּיה |