Lexical Definition
אֲחִיקָם ʼĂchîyqâm (akh-ee-kawm') Ahikam N:N-M-P
from אָח and קוּם; brother of rising (i.e. high)
Ahikam.
- § Ahikam = "my brother has risen (arisen)"
- Achikam, an Israelite
1) son of Shaphan, an officer in Josiah's reign
2) protector of Jeremiah
3) father of Gedaliah
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| וַאֲחִיקָ֨ם | and Ahikam | 2Kgs.22.14 |
| אֲחִיקָם֙ | Ahikam | Jer.40.16 |
| אֲחִיקָֽם | Ahikam | Jer.40.14 • Jer.41.6 |
| אֲחִיקָ֧ם | Ahikam | Jer.41.2 |
| אֲחִיקָ֥ם | Ahikam | 2Kgs.25.22 • Jer.40.11 |
| אֲחִיקָ֤ם | Ahikam | Jer.40.9 |
| אֲחִיקָ֣ם | Ahikam | 2Kgs.22.12 • 2Chr.34.20 • Jer.26.24 • Jer.39.14 • Jer.40.5 • Jer.43.6 |
| אֲחִיקָ֖ם | Ahikam | Jer.40.6 • Jer.40.7 • Jer.41.1 |
| אֲחִיקָ֔ם | Ahikam | Jer.41.18 |
| אֲחִיקָ֑ם | Ahikam | Jer.41.10 • Jer.41.16 |
| Αχικάμ | Ahikam | LXX.2Kgs.22.12 • LXX.2Kgs.22.14 |
| of Ahikam | LXX.2Kgs.25.22 • LXX.Jer.39.14 • LXX.Jer.40.5 • LXX.Jer.40.11 • LXX.Jer.40.14 • LXX.Jer.41.10 • LXX.Jer.43.6 | |
| to Ahikam | LXX.2Chr.34.20 | |
| Αχεικάμ | of Ahikam | LXX.Jer.26.24 |
| Αηικάμ | of Ahikam | LXX.Jer.41.16 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.22.12
- son of: Shaphan (שָׁפָן)
- brother of: Elasah (אֶלְעָשָׂה) and Gemariah (גְּמַרְיָה)
- father of: Gedaliah (גְּדַּלְיָה)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֲחִיקָם proper name, masculine (my brother has arisen) son of Shaphan, Josiah's time 2Kgs 22:12; 2Kgs 22:14; 2Chr 34:20 protector of Jeremiah Jer 26:24 father of Gedaliah 2Kgs 25:22; Jer 39:14; Jer 40:5; Jer 40:6; Jer 40:7; Jer 40:9; Jer 40:11; Jer 40:14; Jer 40:16; Jer 41:1; Jer 41:2; Jer 41:6; Jer 41:10; Jer 41:16; Jer 41:18; Jer 43:6.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Kings | 22:12 · 22:14 · 25:22 |
| 2 Chronicles | 34:20 |
| Jeremiah | 26:24 · 39:14 · 40:5 · 40:6 · 40:7 · 40:9 · 40:11 · 40:14 · 40:16 · 41:1 · 41:2 · 41:6 · 41:10 · 41:16 · 41:18 · 43:6 |
Profile
Male • Son of Shaphan • Son of Shaphan, protected Jeremiah from death
Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Ahikam, son of Shaphan, was an official during the reigns of Josiah and Jehoiakim, and he protected Jeremiah from death. (2Ki.22.12; Jer.26.24)
- A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.22.12;
- only referred to as Ahikam אֲחִיקָם;
- son of Shaphan שָׁפָן;
- a brother of Elasah אֶלְעָשָׂה and Gemariah גְּמַרְיָה;
- father of Gedaliah גְּדַּלְיָה.
Ahikam was the son of Shaphan the scribe and an important official during the reigns of King Josiah and King Jehoiakim of Judah. He first appears in the biblical narrative when Josiah sends him, along with other officials, to consult the prophetess Huldah regarding the book of the Law discovered in the temple. (2Ki.22.12-14; 2Ch.34.20)
Later, during the reign of Jehoiakim, Ahikam uses his influence to protect the prophet Jeremiah from being put to death when Jeremiah's prophecies anger the officials and the people. (Jer.26.24).
After the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, the Babylonian captain of the guard appoints Gedaliah, Ahikam's son, as governor over the cities of Judah. (2Ki.25.22) Jeremiah is released from captivity and entrusted to Gedaliah's care. (Jer.39.14; 40.5-6)
Gedaliah establishes his headquarters at Mizpah and encourages the remaining people in Judah to serve the Babylonians. (Jer.40.7-12) However, Ishmael, a member of the royal family, murders Gedaliah and those with him, causing the people to flee to Egypt out of fear of Babylonian reprisal. (Jer.41.1-18) Ahikam's role in protecting Jeremiah and his son's appointment as governor highlight the family's importance during this turbulent period in Judah's history.
All entries for Ahikam: אֲחִיקָם