Gedaliah גְּדַלְיָ֫הוּ
Appointed governor of Judah by Babylonians; assassinated by Ishmael.
Biography
Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, was appointed governor of Judah by the Babylonians after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC (2Ki.25.22; Jer.40.5). He established his base at Mizpah and encouraged the remaining Jews to submit to Babylonian rule and live peacefully in the land (Jer.40.9-10). Many Jews who had fled to surrounding countries returned to Judah and settled under Gedaliah's leadership (Jer.40.11-12). However, Ishmael, a member of the royal family, conspired against Gedaliah and assassinated him along with the Babylonian officials and Jews who were with him (2Ki.25.25; Jer.41.1-3). This act of treachery led to the flight of the remaining Jews to Egypt, fearing Babylonian reprisals (2Ki.25.26; Jer.41.16-18; 43.5-7). Gedaliah's assassination marked the end of Jewish self-rule in the land and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. The prophet Jeremiah, who had been released from prison by the Babylonians and entrusted to Gedaliah's care (Jer.39.14; 40.5-6), witnessed these tragic events and mourned the loss of Gedaliah and the fate of his people (Jer.41.4-6).
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study content2 Kings 4 verses
- 2 Kings 25:22
"As for the people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor."
- 2 Kings 25:23
"Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and..."
- 2 Kings 25:24
"Gedaliah swore to them and to their men, and said to them, “Don’t be afraid because of the servants of the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.”"
- 2 Kings 25:25
"But in the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the royal offspring came, and ten men with him, and struck Gedaliah, so that he died, with the Jews and the Chaldeans that were with him at Mizpah."
Jeremiah 5 verses Study available
- Jeremiah 39:14
"they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home. So he lived among the people."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:6
"Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the land."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:7
"Now when all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed to him men, women, children, and of the poorest of the land, of those who were not..."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:9
"Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore to them and to their men, saying, “Don’t be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 40:11
"Likewise when all the Jews who were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and who were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan;"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | גְּדַלְיָ֫הוּ | H1436B |
| Spelled | Hebrew | גְּדַלְיָה | H1436G |