Shaphan שָׁפָן
Scribe during the reign of King Josiah
Who is Shaphan in the Bible?
Shaphan was a scribe who served King Josiah of Judah and played a crucial role in the king's religious reforms during the 7th century BC. When the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law hidden in the temple, he gave it to Shaphan, who then read it aloud to King Josiah, sparking a nationwide covenant renewal and sweeping reforms to eliminate idolatry from Judah (2 Kings 22:3-10, 2 Chronicles 34:8-18). Shaphan was also sent by the king to consult the prophetess Huldah about the discovered law (2 Kings 22:12-14). His influence extended through his sons, particularly Ahikam, who protected the prophet Jeremiah and remained active during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 26:24, 39:14). Shaphan's significance lies in his role as a bridge between the king's authority and the rediscovered word of God, making him instrumental in Judah's last great religious reformation before its fall.
Biography
Shaphan, mentioned in 2 Kings 22, 25.22, 2 Chronicles 34, and several passages in Jeremiah, was a scribe who served during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. He was the son of Azaliah and the father of Ahikam, Elasah, and Gemariah. Shaphan played a key role in the religious reforms initiated by Josiah. When the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law in the temple, he gave it to Shaphan, who then read it to the king. This event led to a nationwide renewal of the covenant and the implementation of reforms to purge idolatry from Judah. Shaphan's sons, particularly Ahikam, continued to serve in important positions during the reigns of subsequent kings. During the Babylonian invasion and the fall of Jerusalem, Shaphan's family members were involved in various events, such as the release of Jeremiah from prison and the appointment of Gedaliah as governor over the remnant of Judah. The multiple references to Shaphan and his descendants highlight their significance in the religious and political affairs of Judah during this tumultuous period.
Family
Parents
Offspring
- Ahikam MaleSon of ShaphanSon of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah from deathView full profile →
- Elasah MaleSon of ShaphanMessenger who carried Jeremiah's letter to the exilesView full profile →
- Gemariah MaleSon of ShaphanSon of Shaphan; official during Jehoiakim's reign; opposed burning scroll.View full profile →
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Kings 5 verses
- 2 Kings 22:3
"Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the scribe, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying,"
- 2 Kings 22:8
"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it."
- 2 Kings 22:9
"And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hands of the workers and supervisors of the house of the LORD.”"
- 2 Kings 22:10
"Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king."
- 2 Kings 22:12
"and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:"
2 Chronicles 5 verses
- 2 Chronicles 34:8
"Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, in order to cleanse the land and the temple, Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God."
- 2 Chronicles 34:15
"And Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan."
- 2 Chronicles 34:16
"Then Shaphan brought the book to the king and reported, “Your servants are doing all that has been placed in their hands."
- 2 Chronicles 34:18
"Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king."
- 2 Chronicles 34:20
"and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:"
Jeremiah 5 verses
- Jeremiah 26:24
"Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 29:3
"The letter was entrusted to Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It stated:"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 36:10
"From the chamber of Gemariah son of Shaphan the scribe, which was in the upper courtyard at the opening of the New Gate of the house of the LORD, Baruch read from the scroll the words of Jeremiah in the hearing of all the people."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 36:11
"When Micaiah son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the LORD from the scroll,"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 36:12
"he went down to the scribe’s chamber in the king’s palace, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the scribe, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials."
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שָׁפָן |
Shaphan
Jacob's Studies in Biblical Archaeology, 84 ff).
(1) Son of Azaliah and scribe of King Josiah. He received from Hilkiah the Book of the Law which had been found in the Temple (2Ki 22:3 ff; 2Ch 34:8-28). It was from Shaphan's lips that Josiah heard the Law read. Shaphan was also one of those sent by the king to the prophetess Huldah (2Ki 22; 2Ch 34). He was undoubtedly one of the staunchest supporters of Josiah in his work of reform. He was the father of Ahikam (2Ki 22:12; 2Ch 34:20; Jer 26:24), who befriended and protected the prophet Jeremiah. Another son, Elasah, was one of the two men entrusted by Jeremiah with his letter to the captives in Babylon (Jer 29:3). A third son, Gemariah, vainly tried to prevent King Jehoiakim from burning "the roll" (Jer 36:10,11,12,25). The Micaiah of Jer 36:11,12, and Gedaliah, the governor of Judea after the captivity of 586 BC, were his grandsons (Jer 39:14).
(2) Perhaps the father of Jaazaniah, one of the 70 men whom Ezekiel saw, in his vision of the Temple, sacrificing to idols (Eze 8:11).
Horace J. Wolf
sha'-fat (shaphat):iah, one of the 70 men whom Ezekiel saw, in his vision of the Temple, sacrificing to idols (Eze 8:11).
(1) The Simeonite spy (<ref osisRef="Bible:Num.13.5"