Who was Irijah in the Bible?

Irijah was a captain of the guard in Jerusalem during the reign of King Zedekiah, just before the Babylonian conquest. He is known for arresting the prophet Jeremiah on suspicion of deserting to the enemy (Jeremiah 37:13-14).

Why did Irijah arrest the prophet Jeremiah?

Irijah arrested Jeremiah as the prophet was leaving Jerusalem, accusing him of defecting to the Babylonians. Jeremiah denied the charge, stating he was only going to inspect his property, but Irijah took him to the officials anyway (Jeremiah 37:13-14).

What is the significance of Irijah's story?

Irijah's story highlights the tension and suspicion in Jerusalem during its final siege, illustrating how even God's prophet was mistrusted and persecuted. His actions led to Jeremiah being imprisoned in a cistern, a key event in the prophet's sufferings (Jeremiah 37:15-16).

Irijah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon of shelemiah

Irijah, a captain, arrested Jeremiah on suspicion of desertion to the Babylonians (Jer.37.13-14).

Irijah

Biography

Irijah was a military captain stationed at the Benjamin Gate in Jerusalem during the final siege of the city by Babylon in the early sixth century BC. His father was Shelemiah and his grandfather Hananiah. When the prophet Jeremiah attempted to leave Jerusalem to travel to the land of Benjamin during a temporary lull in the Babylonian siege, Irijah arrested him at the city gate, accusing him of defecting to the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 37:13-14). Jeremiah denied the charge, but Irijah refused to release him, bringing the prophet before the court officials who subsequently had Jeremiah beaten and imprisoned in the house of Jonathan the secretary.

Significance

Irijah's arrest of Jeremiah represents one of the most consequential moments of misplaced loyalty in the prophetic narrative. His refusal to believe Jeremiah's denial and his insistence on treating the prophet as a traitor illustrates how political fear can distort judgment and lead to persecution of the innocent. Irijah becomes a cautionary figure in the passion of Jeremiah, an individual whose suspicion and rigidity contributed to the imprisonment of God's messenger at the very moment Israel needed to hear his word most urgently. His actions underscore the biblical theme that rejecting the prophet's message does not neutralize its truth, but only deepens the tragedy of those who oppose it.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherShelemiah

Verse Appearances (2)

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 37:13 Jeremiah 37:14

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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