- JEPHUNNEH nimble, or a beholder. (1.) The father of Caleb, who was
Joshua’s companion in exploring Canaan (Numbers 13:6), a Kenezite
(Joshua 14:14). (2.) One of the descendants of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:38). - JERAHMEEL loving God. (1.) The son of Hezron, the brother of Caleb (1
Chronicles 2:9, 25, 26, etc.).
(2.) The son of Kish, a Levite (1 Chronicles 24:29).
(3.) Son of Hammelech (Jeremiah 36:26).
- JEREMIAH raised up or appointed by Jehovah. (1.) A Gadite who joined
David in the wilderness (1 Chronicles 12:10).
(2.) A Gadite warrior (1 Chronicles 12:13).
(3.) A Benjamite slinger who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:4).
(4.) One of the chiefs of the tribe of Manasseh on the east of Jordan (1
Chronicles 5:24).
(5.) The father of Hamutal (2 Kings 23:31), the wife of Josiah.
(6.) One of the “greater prophets” of the Old Testament, son of Hilkiah
(q.v.), a priest of Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1; 32:6). He was called to the
prophetical office when still young (1:6), in the thirteenth year of Josiah
(B.C. 628). He left his native place, and went to reside in Jerusalem, where
he greatly assisted Josiah in his work of reformation (2 Kings 23:1-25).
The death of this pious king was bewailed by the prophet as a national
calamity (2 Chronicles 35:25).
During the three years of the reign of Jehoahaz we find no reference to
Jeremiah, but in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the enmity of the
people against him broke out in bitter persecution, and he was placed
apparently under restraint (Jeremiah 36:5). In the fourth year of Jehoiakim
he was commanded to write the predictions given to him, and to read them
to the people on the fast-day. This was done by Baruch his servant in his
stead, and produced much public excitement. The roll was read to the king.
In his recklessness he seized the roll, and cut it to pieces, and cast it into
the fire, and ordered both Baruch and Jeremiah to be apprehended.
Jeremiah procured another roll, and wrote in it the words of the roll the
king had destroyed, and “many like words” besides (Jeremiah 36:32).