Jeremiah 26:22
And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח
sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֞ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 13
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֖ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֵ֣ת
H853
אֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַכְבּ֛וֹר
of Achbor
H5907
עַכְבּ֛וֹר
of Achbor
Strong's:
H5907
Word #:
9 of 13
akbor, the name of an idumaean and of two israelites
וַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים
H376
וַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
10 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Jeremiah 36:12Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.2 Kings 22:12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,2 Kings 22:14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Historical Context
Extradition treaties existed between ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. Jehoiakim, installed by Egypt as vassal king (2 Kings 23:34), maintained Egyptian connections enabling this mission. Elnathan's willingness to participate shows how political and family loyalties override prophetic truth. The mission's success demonstrates Egypt's cooperation with Judean monarchy despite providing initial refuge.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jehoiakim's extradition effort reveal about insecure, corrupt leadership?
- How do political loyalties sometimes override truth and justice in your context?
- When have you seen power pursue truth-tellers even into exile or retirement?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt (וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ יְהוֹיָקִים אֲנָשִׁים מִצְרָיִם, vayyishlach hammelekh y'hoyaqim anashim mitsrayim)—the verb שָׁלַח (shalach, 'send') shows determined pursuit. Elnathan (אֶלְנָתָן, 'God has given') ironically serves ungodly purposes. He was influential official, possibly the same Elnathan mentioned in Jeremiah 36:12, 25 who tried unsuccessfully to prevent Jehoiakim from burning Jeremiah's scroll.
The extradition mission demonstrates Jehoiakim's paranoia and vindictiveness. He couldn't tolerate dissent even in exile, spending resources to hunt down a fled prophet. This reveals totalitarian impulse in corrupt leadership—not merely suppressing opposition but pursuing it across borders. The king's insecurity drives obsessive control. Herod later demonstrated similar paranoia, killing Bethlehem's infants to eliminate perceived threat (Matthew 2:16). Tyrants fear truth-tellers even at distance.