Shapham (Hastings' Dictionary)

A Gadite, 1 Ch 5'^ SHAPHAN (!??» 'coney or rock-badger'; LXX ^a<pdv, -acfxpdf, X((p<t>dv ; Vulg. Saphan : on this name as evidence that ' superstition of the totem kind had still a hold on Israelites in the last years of the independence of the kingdom of Judali,' see W. U. Smith in the Journal of Philo/ogi/, 18S0, p. 75, and Gray, JfPN p. 103).—!. Scribe or finance minister (Ewald) in the reign of Josiali.

He is brought prominently before us in the story of the discovery of ' the book of the law ' in the temple, 2 K 22^"-, 2 Ch .'U"-^. The system of raising money for the repairs of the temple which had been instituted by Jehoash (2 K 12), seems from this narrative to have been in regular ojiera- tion since that time. The money chest which had been set up by Jehoiada was emptied periodically undtr the supervision of the high priest and of the king's scribe.

It was on one of these occasions that Hilkiah communicated to Shanhan his great discovery of ' the book of the law.' The Chronicler 176 SHAPHAT SHAEEZER (2 Ch 34') represents Shaphan as having been accompanied by two other ollicials. In any case it was to Sliaplian that Hilkiah entrusted the precious volume, and it was from Shaphan's lips that Josiah heard the words that so deeply moved him. Shaphan also formed one of the deputation that subsequently visited the prophetess Huldah.

Assuming that this was tlie Shaphan who was father of Ahikam (2 K 22'-, 2 Ch 34™, Jer 26'^), he was grandfather of Gedaliah (2 K 25, , Jer 39' 40»- »• i> 41= 43'). The only objection to this sup- position lies in the fact that Ahikam seems to take precedence of his father, it is, of course, possible that he may have tilled a higher office.

Wliatever tlie truth may be concemin<; Shaphan's connexion with the discovery of ' the book of the law,' it is at least certain that he belonged to the party of reform whose inspiration was derived from that book, and who were friendly to Jere- miah. One of his sons, Ahikam, protected the prophet from the fury of the hostile priests and prophets (Jer 26-''). Another, Elasah, was one of the two whom Jeremiah employed to carry his letter to the captives in Babylon (Jer 29').

From the windows of the chamber of j'et another son, Gemariah, Baruch read ' the words of the Lord in the ears of the people ' (Jer 36'°), words which were given still further publicity by the action of Gemariah's son, Micaiah (\t."- '-). And when the last agony of Jerusalem was over, it was wth Shaphan's grandson, Gedaliah, that the aged pro- phet found an honoured asylum (Jer 39'''). 2.

Father of Jaazaniah, who was ringleader in idolatry of the seventy ancients of the house of Israel, as seen by Ezekiel (8"). N. J. D. White.