Ahikam
Son of Shaphan the scribe, sent by Josiah to Huldah the prophetess (2Ki 22:12). In Jehoiakim's subsequent reign Ahikam successfully pleaded for Jeremiah before the princes and elders, that he should not be given to the people to be put to death for his fearless warnings (Jer 26:16-24).
God rewarded Ahikam by the honor put upon Gedaliah, his son, by Nebuchadnezzar's making him governor over the cities of Judah, and committing Jeremiah' to him, when the Babylonians took Jerusalem (Jer 40:5; Jer 39:14).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Ahikam
Ahikam a-hi'-kam ('achiqam, "my brother has risen up"): A prominent man of the time of King Josiah and the following decades (2Ki 22:12,14; 25:22; 2Ch 34:20; Jer 26:24; 39:14; 40:5 ff; Jer 41:1 ff; Jer 43:6). He was the son of Shaphan, who very likely is to be identified with Shaphan the scribe, who was at that time so prominent. Ahikam was the father of Gedaliah, whom, on the capture of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar made governor of the land. Ahikam was a member of the deputation sent by Josiah to the prophetess Huldah to consult her concerning the contents of the Book of the Law which had been found. Under Jehoiakim he had sufficient influence to protect Jeremiah from being put to death. On the capture of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar committed Jeremiah into the care of Gedaliah. It is clear that both Shaphan and his son, like Jeremiah, belonged to the party which held that the men of Judah were under obligation to keep the oath which they had sworn to the tang of Babylon. ⇒See a list of verses on AHIKAM in the Bible. Willis J. Beecher ⇒See also the McClintock and Strong Biblical Cyclopedia…
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Ahikam
Son of Shaphan, a courtier under Josiah, mentioned as one of the deputation sent by the king to Uuldali the prophetess (2 K 22'2-", 2 Ch 34^), and later as using his influence to protect Jeremiah from the violence of the populace during the reign of Jehoiakim (Jer 26''"). He was father of Gedaliah, the governor of the land of Judah appointed by Nebuchadnezzar (2 K 25-'^ al.), C. F. Burnet. AHILUD (n)S'nK, perhaps a contraction of 'ni< ■nS- 'child's brother ').—!. (2 S S" 20«, 1 K 4', 1 Ch 18'°). — Father of Jehoshaphat, the chronicler under David and Solomon. 2. (I K 4'^) Father of Baana, one of Solomon's twelve commissariat officers. C. F. Burnky.
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Ahikam
(a brother who raises up), son of Shaphan the scribe, an influential officer at the court of Josiah, was one of the delegates sent by Hilkaih to consult Huldah. (2 Kings 22:12-14) In the reign of Jehoiakim he successfully used his influence to protect the prophet Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 26:24) He was the father of Gedaliah. [Gedaliah] (B.C. 641).
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia