Bible Dictionary
Ahikam
Ahikam was an influential official under Josiah who consulted Huldah and later protected Jeremiah from execution. He was the father of Gedaliah, governor after Jerusalem’s fall.
Definition
Ahikam, son of Shaphan, was a prominent official during the reign of Josiah and the following decades. He was the father of Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar appointed governor of the land after Jerusalem’s capture.
Biblical Usage
Ahikam was sent with other officials to consult Huldah concerning the Book of the Law discovered during Josiah’s reign. Under Jehoiakim he used his influence to protect Jeremiah from execution. His son Gedaliah later received responsibility for the land.
Historical Background
Ahikam belonged to the influential circle associated with Shaphan the royal secretary. He and his son were connected with the party that held Judah responsible to keep its oath to the king of Babylon.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Brother of support = helper, one of the five whom Josiah sent to consult the prophetess Huldah in connection with the discovery of the book of the law (2 Kings 22:12-14; 2 Chr. 34:20). 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 25:22; Jer. 40:5-16; 43:6). On one occasion he protected Jeremiah against the fury of Jehoiakim (Jer. 26:24). It was in the chamber of another son (Germariah) of Shaphan that Baruch read in the ears of all the people Jeremiah’s roll.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(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).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>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; 41:1 ff; 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.</p><p>Willis J. Beecher</p>