Introduction:
Gedaliah, a significant figure in the Old Testament, was appointed as governor over the remnant of Judah after the Babylonian conquest. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Kings, Jeremiah, and 2 Chronicles. Gedaliah's leadership and subsequent assassination marked a pivotal moment in the history of Judah during the Babylonian exile.

Background and Appointment:
Gedaliah was the son of Ahikam, who had previously protected the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:24). His grandfather, Shaphan, was a scribe during the reign of King Josiah, known for his role in the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8-10). Gedaliah's family had a history of faithfulness to God and support for the prophetic ministry.

After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, appointed Gedaliah as governor over the cities of Judah (2 Kings 25:22). This appointment was part of Babylon's strategy to maintain control over the region by establishing a local administration. Gedaliah set up his administration in Mizpah, a city north of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 40:6).

Governorship and Policies:
Gedaliah's leadership was characterized by efforts to stabilize the region and encourage the remaining Judeans to live peacefully under Babylonian rule. He urged the people to serve the king of Babylon, promising that it would be well with them if they did so (Jeremiah 40:9-10). His policies aimed at agricultural restoration and economic recovery, as he encouraged the people to gather wine, summer fruits, and oil (Jeremiah 40:10-12).

Gedaliah's administration attracted various groups, including military leaders and their men who had been in hiding. Among them was Johanan son of Kareah, who warned Gedaliah of a plot against his life by Ishmael son of Nethaniah, a member of the royal family (Jeremiah 40:13-14). Despite the warning, Gedaliah, known for his trusting nature, refused to believe the report and took no action against Ishmael.

Assassination and Aftermath:
In the seventh month, Ishmael, motivated by allegiance to the Ammonite king Baalis and possibly by personal ambition, assassinated Gedaliah during a meal at Mizpah (Jeremiah 41:1-3). Ishmael also killed the Judeans and Babylonian soldiers who were with Gedaliah, causing great fear among the people.

The assassination of Gedaliah led to chaos and fear of Babylonian retribution. Johanan and other leaders pursued Ishmael, who had taken captives from Mizpah, and rescued them (Jeremiah 41:11-16). Despite this, the remaining Judeans, fearing Babylon's response, decided to flee to Egypt, against Jeremiah's counsel (Jeremiah 42:19-22).

Theological Significance:
Gedaliah's account highlights themes of trust, leadership, and the consequences of political intrigue. His assassination marked the end of any semblance of Jewish autonomy in the land during the Babylonian exile. The event is commemorated in Jewish tradition with a fast, known as the Fast of Gedaliah, observed on the third day of Tishrei.

Gedaliah's life and death serve as a reminder of the complexities of leadership in times of national crisis and the importance of heeding prophetic warnings. His account is a testament to the turbulent period of Judah's history and the challenges faced by those who sought to lead with integrity amidst external domination.Gedaliah

God is my greatness

Gedaliah

(God is my greatness), son of Ahikam (Jeremiah's protector, (Jeremiah 26:24) and grandson of Shaphan the secretary of King Josiah. After the destruction of the temple, B.C. 588, Nebuchadnezzar departed from Judea, leaving Gedaliah with a Chaldean guard, (Jeremiah 40:5) at Mizpah to govern the vinedressers and husbandmen, (Jeremiah 52:16) who were exempted from captivity. Jeremiah jointed Gedaliah; and Mizpah became the resort of Jews from various quarters. (Jeremiah 40:6,11) He was murdered by Ishmael two months after his appointment.

Gedaliah

Son of Ahikam, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to govern Judea after the destruction of Jerusalem. Like his father, he honored and befriended Jeremiah, Jeremiah 40:5. He began the administration of his government at Mizpeh with wisdom, but in two months was treacherously murdered by one Ishmael, 2 Kings 25:22-26 Jeremiah 39:14 40:5-41:18.

Made great by Jehovah.

(1.) the son of Jeduthum (1 Chronicles 25:3, 9).

(2.) The grandfather of the prophet Zephaniah, and the father of Cushi (Zephaniah 1:1).

(3.) One of the Jewish nobles who conspired against Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:1).

(4.) The son of Ahikam, and grandson of Shaphan, secretary of king Josiah (Jeremiah 26:24). After the destruction of Jerusalem (see ZEDEKIAH), Nebuchadnezzar left him to govern the country as tributary to him (2 Kings 25:22; Jeremiah 40:5; 52:16). Ishmael, however, at the head of a party of the royal family, "Jewish irreconcilables", rose against him, and slew him and "all the Jews that were with him" (Jeremiah 41:2, 3) at Mizpah about three months after the destruction of Jerusalem. He and his band also plundered the town of Mizpah, and carried off many captives. He was, however, overtaken by Johanan and routed. He fled with such of his followers as escaped to the Ammonites (41:15). The little remnant of the Jews now fled to Egypt.

GEDALIAH

ged-a-li'-a (gedhalyah; except in 1 Chronicles 25:3, 9 and Jeremiah 38:1, where it is gedhalyahu, "Yah(u) is great"):

(1) Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam (the friend and protector of Jeremiah) and grandson of Shaphan (the scribe in the reign of Josiah) (2 Kings 25:22-25 Jeremiah 39:14; Jeremiah 40:5-16; 41:1-18).

1. His Appointment as Governor in Judah:

After the destruction of Jerusalem and the carrying away captive of the Jews to Babylon (586 B.C.), Gedaliah was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar governor over the poor Jews who had been left in the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen (2 Kings 25:12, 22). To his charge were committed also some royal princesses (Jeremiah 43:6) and courtiers (Jeremiah 41:16) who had been allowed to remain as unlikely to cause any trouble. Gedaliah fixed his residence at Mizpah, a few miles Northwest of Jerusalem. Here he was joined by Jeremiah (40:6).

2. His Conciliatory Spirit and Wise Rule:

The Jewish soldiers who had escaped capture, having heard that the Chaldeans had departed, and that Gedaliah, one of their own nation, had been appointed governor in Judah, came with Ishmael, Johanan and other officers at their head, to Gedaliah at Mizpah (2 Kings 25:23, 14 Jeremiah 40:7-10). The governor assured them that they need have no fear of vengeance from their conquerors, and promised them on oath protection and security, if they would remain and cultivate the land and become the peaceful subjects of the king of Babylon. This assurance led to a general gathering around Gedaliah of refugees from all the neighboring countries (Jeremiah 40:11, 12). For two months (some think longer) Gedaliah's beneficent and wise rule did much to consolidate affairs in Judah and to inspire the feeble remnant of his countrymen with heart and hope.

3. His Treacherous Assassination:

But evil spirits were at work against him. Baalis, king of Ammon, had determined upon his life (Jeremiah 40:13-16). The peaceful and popular rule which was being established by the good governor stood in the way of the accomplishment of any plan of conquest he entertained. Baalis found a ready instrument for his murderous design in Ishmael who, as one of royal birth and in the counsels of the king (Jeremiah 41:1), was doubtless jealous of the man who had been chosen governor in preference to himself. Gedaliah was informed by Johanan and the other captains of the plot to assassinate him, and Johanan at a private interview expressed to him a strong desire to go himself and slay Ishmael secretly, declaring that the safety of the Jews depended upon the life of the governor. But Gedaliah refused to allow Johanan to anticipate his enemy, believing, in the generosity of his heart, that Ishmael was not capable of such an act of treachery. He soon found, however, that his confidence had been sadly misplaced. Ishmael, with ten of his companions, came on a visit to him to Mizpah, and after they had been hospitably entertained they fell upon their good host and murdered him, along with all the Jewish and the Chaldean soldiers whom he had with him for order and protection (2 Kings 25:25 Jeremiah 41:1-3). They then cast the bodies of their victims into the cistern which Asa had made (Jeremiah 41:9). Ishmael was pursued and overtaken by Johanan, but he succeeded in effecting his escape to the Ammonites (Jeremiah 41:11-15). Then Johanan and the other captains, afraid lest the Chaldeans should avenge upon them the murder of the governor (Jeremiah 41:16-18), and against the earnest entreaties of Jeremiah (chapter 42), fled to Egypt, taking the prophet and the Jewish remnant with them (43:5-7). In memory of the date of Gedaliah's assassination the Jews kept a fast (which is still retained in the Jewish calendar) on the 3rd day of the 7th month, Tishri (Zechariah 7:5; Zechariah 8:19).

4. His Noble Character:

The narratives reveal Gedaliah in a very attractive light, as one who possessed the confidence alike of his own people and their conquerors; a man of rare wisdom and tact, and of upright, transparent character, whose kindly nature and generous disposition would not allow him to think evil of a brother; a man altogether worthy of the esteem in which he was held by succeeding generations of his fellow-countrymen.

(2) (gedhalyahu): Son of Jeduthun, and instrumental leader of the 2nd of the 24 choirs in the Levitical orchestra (1 Chronicles 25:3, 1).

(3) A priest of the "sons of Jeshua," in the time of Ezra, who had married a foreign woman (Ezra 10:18).

(4) (gedhalyahu): Son of Pashhur (who beat Jeremiah and put him in the stocks, Jeremiah 20:1-6), and one of the chiefs of Jerusalem who, with the sanction of the king, Zedekiah, took Jeremiah and let him down with cords into a cistern where he sank in the mud (38:1, 4-6).

(5) Grandfather of Zephaniah the prophet, and grandson of Hezekiah, probably the king (Ze 1:1).

James Crichton

1436. Gdalyah -- "Yah is great," three Israelites
... 1435, 1436. Gdalyah. 1436a . "Yah is great," three Israelites. Transliteration:
Gdalyah Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-al-yaw') Short Definition: Gedaliah. Gedaliah ...
/hebrew/1436.htm - 5k

1436a. Gedalyah -- "Yah is great," three Israelites
... Gedalyah. 1436b . "Yah is great," three Israelites. Transliteration: Gedalyah
Short Definition: Gedaliah. ... NASB Word Usage Gedaliah (5). 1436, 1436a. ...
/hebrew/1436a.htm - 5k

1436b. Gedalyahu -- "Yah is great," three Israelites
... Gedalyahu. 1437 . "Yah is great," three Israelites. Transliteration: Gedalyahu
Short Definition: Gedaliah. ... NASB Word Usage Gedaliah (27). 1436a, 1436b. ...
/hebrew/1436b.htm - 5k

How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea ...
... CHAPTER 9. How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over The Jews That Were Left In Judea Which
Gedaliah Was A Little Afterward Slain By Ishmael; And How Johanan After ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how nebuzaradan set.htm

The Sad Fate of a Guilty Nation
... homeland. Nebuchadrezzar made Gedaliah, the grandson of Shaphan, governor
over the people he had left in the land of Judah. Now ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the sad fate of a.htm

The Captivity.
... All the Jews of high rank were carried away, and none left but the poorer sort,
who were to till the ground under a ruler named Gedaliah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

And After. (xxx, xxxi, xxxix-Xliv. )
... XXXIX.3, 14 tells us that he was fetched from the guard-court by Babylonian
officers,(609) and given to Gedaliah, the son of his old befriender Ahikam, to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/4 and after xxx xxxi.htm

Index of Names and Subjects.
... Freedom, the Divine, 186, 237. Future Life, no hope of, 138, 240, 334, 340, 380.
Gedaliah, 276, 291, 292; assassination, 307. Gidroth-Chimham, 308. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/index of names and subjects.htm

Chapter i.
... The panic which followed the murder of Gedaliah drove a host of Jewish fugitives
to Egypt, where they settled at Migdol (Magdolos), Tahpanhes (Taphnas = Daphne ...
/.../an introduction to the old testament in greek additional notes/chapter i.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 9. How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over The Jews That Were Left In Judea Which
Gedaliah Was A Little Afterward Slain By Ishmael; And How Johanan After ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Jeremiah
... unpatriotic proclamation of the Babylonian triumph, the pitiful vacillation of the
king, the final capture of the city, the appointment of Gedaliah as governor ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jeremiah.htm

Faith of Sinners in Prayer
... Johanan and Jeremiah, with a small company, had been left in their native land,
and Ishmael had conspired against Gedaliah, the appointed governor of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/xi faith of sinners in.htm

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... XXXVIII.1. And Shephatiah, Mattan's son, Gedaliah Pashhur's son, Jucal Shelamiah's
son, and Pashhur Malchiah's son,(587) heard the words Jeremiah was speaking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

Gedaliah (31 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GEDALIAH. ged ... trouble. Gedaliah fixed his
residence at Mizpah, a few miles Northwest of Jerusalem. ...
/g/gedaliah.htm - 26k

Ahi'kam (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:22 And as for the people that were left in the land of Judah, whom
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son ...
/a/ahi'kam.htm - 12k

Gedali'ah (28 Occurrences)
Gedali'ah. Gedaliah, Gedali'ah. Geddur . Multi-Version Concordance
Gedali'ah (28 Occurrences). 2 Kings 25:22 And as for the people ...
/g/gedali'ah.htm - 15k

Nethani'ah (20 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:23 Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard
that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to ...
/n/nethani'ah.htm - 13k

Kareah (14 Occurrences)
... Bald, the father of Johanan and Jonathan, who for a time were loyal to Gedaliah,
the Babylonian governor of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 40:8, 13, 15, 16). Int. ...
/k/kareah.htm - 12k

Ahikam (20 Occurrences)
... He was the son of Shaphan, the royal secretary, and the father of Gedaliah, governor
of Judea after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (2 Kings 25 ...
/a/ahikam.htm - 16k

Nethaniah (20 Occurrences)
... 36:14). (4) The father of Ishmael, the murderer of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 40:8,
14, 15; Jeremiah 41:11 2 Kings 25:23, 25). Some manuscripts ...
/n/nethaniah.htm - 15k

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:23 Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard
that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to ...
/k/kare'ah.htm - 10k

Joha'nan (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:23 Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard
that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to ...
/j/joha'nan.htm - 13k

Ish'mael (40 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:23 Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard
that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to ...
/i/ish'mael.htm - 18k

Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org

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