Family History and Background

Gedaliah was the son of Ahikam, who was an important advisor to King Josiah (2 Kgs 22:12, 14; 2 Chr 34:20) and possibly Josiah’s son, King Jehoiakim (see Jer 26:24). Ahikam’s father (and Gedaliah’s grandfather) is commonly believed to be Shaphan the scribe, who played a vital role in Josiah’s reforms (2 Kgs 22; 2 Chr 34). Shaphan also had other sons besides Ahikam, namely Elasah (Jer 29:3), who delivered Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles; Gemariah (Jer 36:11–25), who advised against the burning of Jeremiah’s scroll; and Jazaaniah (Ezek 8:11), who is depicted as an idol worshiper.

Some scholars contest that Shaphan the scribe was not Gedaliah’s grandfather. In 2 Kings 22:12, Ahikam, son of Shaphan, is mentioned as the second among the inquirers Josiah sent to Huldah the prophetess, while Shaphan the scribe was the fourth inquirer. The text does not mention their relationship, however. Further, the biblical text never refers to Ahikam as the son of Shaphan the scribe, whereas another son, Gemariah, is given this title (Jer 36:10). Even if Shaphan was not Gedaliah’s grandfather, however, we know that Gedaliah was a son of an influential royal official.

The biblical account of Gedaliah and his family portrays the Shaphanides as prominent figures with some authority in the royal court of Jerusalem. Because the Shaphanides supported the prophet Jeremiah and his message, they were likely politically pro-Babylonian. Gedaliah and his family’s political leanings, as well as their social prominence, may have been the reason Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as the governor over Judah in 587/6 bc.