Overview
The Bible addresses shaphan across 12 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Jeremiah, 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Ahikam, Nebuzar-Adan, Abdon and Asahiah. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah and Baruch.
Key Bible verses about shaphan
Old Testament
2 Kings
And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,
And as for the people that remained 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, ruler.
Jeremiah
Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.
Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that 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;
Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters, and every person that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah.
People in the Bible and shaphan
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying shaphan for yourself
- Begin with 2 Kings 22:12, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Jeremiah, 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar and Zedekiah and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Ahikam, Nebuzar-Adan, Abdon and Asahiah.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about shaphan?
The Bible addresses shaphan across 12 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Jeremiah, 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Closely related themes include Ahikam, Nebuzar-Adan, Abdon and Asahiah. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah and Baruch.
How many Bible verses are about shaphan?
The Bible references shaphan in 12 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention shaphan?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 2 Kings 22:12: “And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,”
Which people in the Bible are associated with shaphan?
Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah and Baruch.
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