Jeremiah 21-36 A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary by (Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries)

The Cost of Prophetic Preaching (26:1-24) 299

Ahikam son ofShaphan. The name "Ahikam" has shown up on the Arad os-
traca and bullae contemporary with Jeremiah; the name "Shaphan" has turned
up on a Jerusalem cave inscription and other contemporary finds (see Avigad
1986b: 34-35, #14-16, and Appendix I).
so as not to give him into the hand of the people to put him to death. Were the
people still ready to kill Jeremiah? This closing word suggests a residue of the
anger expressed earlier by the people (v 8), but it says as much or more about
the residual anger of those who wanted to give Jeremiah over to the people,
namely the priests and prophets.

THE SCRIBAL FAMILY OF SHAPHAN

AHIKAM

Sent with Shaphan by Josiah

to Huldah, the prophetess,

after law-book found ( 2 Kgs

22: 12-17); protected

Jeremiah after trial

(Jer 26:24)

I

GEDALIAH

Appointed governor at

Mizpah after destruction of

Jerusalem (Jer 39: 11-14;

40:1-41:3)

MESHULLAM

Grandfather to Shaphan

(2 Kgs 22:3)

I

AZALIAH

Father to Shaphan

(2 Kgs 22:3)

I

SHAPHAN

Received the law-book found by

Hilkiah, the priest, in the Temple

(2 Kgs 22:3-13)

I

GEMARIAH

Heard Jeremiah's scroll; counseled

King Jehoiakim not to bum it

(Jer 36:12, 25)

MICAIAH

Heard Jeremiah's scroll; reported it

to the princes (Jer 36:11)

ELASAH

Carried Jeremiah's letter to

exiles in Babylon

(Jer 29:3)