Jeremiah 26:24
Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
Original Language Analysis
אַ֗ךְ
H389
בְיַד
Nevertheless the hand
H3027
בְיַד
Nevertheless the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שָׁפָ֔ן
of Shaphan
H8227
שָׁפָ֔ן
of Shaphan
Strong's:
H8227
Word #:
5 of 14
a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax
הָיְתָ֖ה
H1961
הָיְתָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אֶֽת
H854
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ
was with Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ
was with Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
8 of 14
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
לְבִלְתִּ֛י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֛י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
תֵּת
that they should not give
H5414
תֵּת
that they should not give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 14
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹת֥וֹ
H853
אֹת֥וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְיַד
Nevertheless the hand
H3027
בְיַד
Nevertheless the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Jeremiah 39:14Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.1 Kings 18:4For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
Historical Context
Shaphan's family (Ahikam, later Gedaliah, and Shaphan himself) represented reform-minded officials who supported Josiah's reforms and protected prophetic ministry. Ahikam had heard God's Law read during temple renovation (2 Kings 22), shaping his theological commitments. His intervention likely occurred during the temple sermon crisis (Jeremiah 26:1-24), when religious leaders demanded Jeremiah's execution but nobles protected him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God providentially place allies in positions to protect His servants?
- What responsibility do you have to protect truth-tellers in your sphere of influence?
- How do you reconcile God preserving some faithful servants while allowing others to be martyred?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death (אַךְ יַד אֲחִיקָם בֶּן־שָׁפָן הָיְתָה אֶת־יִרְמְיָהוּ לְבִלְתִּי תֵּת־אֹתוֹ בְּיַד־הָעָם לַהֲמִיתוֹ, akh yad achiqam ben-shafan hay'tah et-yirm'yahu l'vilti tet-oto v'yad-ha'am lahamito). Ahikam (אֲחִיקָם, 'my brother has risen') from Shaphan's influential family (the scribe who read the Law to Josiah, 2 Kings 22:8-14) protected Jeremiah. The phrase 'the hand of' (יַד, yad) indicates authority and protection.
The contrast with Urijah's fate is stark: both prophets delivered identical messages, but Jeremiah had powerful protector while Urijah didn't. This illustrates providence's mysterious workings—not always explaining why some are preserved and others martyred. Ahikam's family consistently supported Jeremiah (later, Ahikam's son Gedaliah protected Jeremiah after Jerusalem's fall, Jeremiah 39:14). God uses human allies to accomplish His purposes. Protection came not through compromise but through providential placement of sympathizers in positions of power.