Bible Strands
Jeremiah 26:24
Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records this event immediately after King Jehoiakim orders the execution of the prophet Uriah. It occurs during Jeremiah’s trial before the priests and false prophets who demanded his death.
The words — The Hebrew אַ֗ךְ ('Akh) translates literally as "nevertheless," marking a narrative pivot. The phrase יַ֚ד (yad) "hand" denotes Ahikam’s active intervention to shield Jeremiah from the crowd.
The thread — Ahikam’s protection of Jeremiah echoes Obadiah’s concealment of the prophets in 1 Kings 18:4. His lineage is previously noted in 2 Kings 22:12 as part of King Josiah’s reform council, and Jeremiah’s fortified calling in Jeremiah 1:18 contrasts with this earthly protection.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that prophetic survival often depends on specific human alliances. It requires readers to observe how institutional authority can override mob violence without attributing the outcome to divine intervention alone.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 18:4 for when Jezebel had slaughtered the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty men per cave, providing them with food and water.)
- 2 Kings 22:12 and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:
- Jeremiah 1:18 Now behold, this day I have made you like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.
- Jeremiah 39:14 had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guard, and they turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So Jeremiah remained among his own people.
- Jeremiah 40:5 But before Jeremiah turned to go, Nebuzaradan added, “Return to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah, and stay with him among the people, or go anywhere else that seems right.” Then the captain of the guard gave him a ration and a gift and released him.
- 2 Kings 25:22 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over the people he had left behind in the land of Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 34:20 and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:
- Isaiah 37:32 For a remnant will go forth from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
- Jeremiah 15:15 You understand, O LORD; remember me and attend to me. Avenge me against my persecutors. In Your patience, do not take me away. Know that I endure reproach for Your honor.
- Acts 23:10 The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.