Shephatiah שְׁפַטְיָהוּ
Official during King Zedekiah's reign
Who is Shephatiah in the Bible?
Shephatiah, son of Mattan, was an official in the court of King Zedekiah of Judah during the final years before Jerusalem's fall to Babylon (Jer. 38:1). He is remembered primarily for his opposition to the prophet Jeremiah, whom he and fellow officials Gedaliah, Jucal, and Pashhur reported to the king after hearing Jeremiah urge the people to surrender to the Babylonians. These officials accused Jeremiah of weakening the soldiers' resolve and convinced King Zedekiah to imprison the prophet, demonstrating their rejection of God's word through His messenger. Shephatiah's role in persecuting Jeremiah illustrates the resistance religious and political leaders faced when called to submit to God's will, and he serves as an example of those who opposed the prophetic word to their own spiritual detriment.
Biography
Shephatiah, the son of Mattan, was an official during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, as mentioned in Jer.38.1. Along with other officials named Gedaliah, Jucal, and Pashhur, Shephatiah heard the words that Jeremiah was speaking to the people, urging them to surrender to the Babylonians to save their lives. The officials, including Shephatiah, reported Jeremiah's words to King Zedekiah and accused the prophet of discouraging the soldiers and the people. They requested permission to put Jeremiah to death, which the king granted. This incident highlights Shephatiah's opposition to Jeremiah's prophetic message and his role in the persecution of the prophet.
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In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 1 verse
- 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:"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁפַטְיָהוּ |