Shelemiah שֶׁלֶמְיָהוּ
Priest during Zedekiah's reign
Who is Shelemiah in the Bible?
Shelemiah was a priest during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, known primarily as the father of Jehucal (also called Jucal). He appears in the biblical record through his son's involvement with the prophet Jeremiah. When King Zedekiah sought divine intervention during Judah's crisis, he sent Jehucal and others to request that Jeremiah pray for the people (Jeremiah 37:3). Later, Jehucal was among the officials who opposed Jeremiah and urged the king to execute him for allegedly discouraging Judah's soldiers (Jeremiah 38:1-4). Though Shelemiah himself is not directly quoted or described in detail, his mention illustrates the priestly families of Jerusalem who were caught between loyalty to the king and the demands of God's prophet.
Biography
Shelemiah was a priest who lived during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah. He was the father of Jehucal (or Jucal), who was one of the officials sent by Zedekiah to ask Jeremiah to pray for the people (Jer.37.3). Later, Jehucal was among the officials who accused Jeremiah of discouraging the soldiers and sought to have him put to death (Jer.38.1-4). Shelemiah's role is limited to being mentioned as Jehucal's father.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 2 verses
- Jeremiah 37:3
"Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!”"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:1
"Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchijah heard that Jeremiah had been telling all the people:"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שֶׁלֶמְיָהוּ |