Who was Shaphan?

Royal secretary and scribe

The story of Shaphan

Shaphan - Scribe
Shaphan - Scribe
Scribe

Shaphan was a biblical figure who lived in the 7th century BC. He was a scribe and a secretary to King Josiah of Judah. He was the son of Azaliah and the father of Ahikam, Gedaliah, and Gemariah. He was also the grandfather of Elasah and Gemariah. Shaphan is best known for his role in the discovery of the Book of the Law. He was sent by King Josiah to the Temple of Jerusalem to inquire of the Lord. While there, Shaphan found the Book of the Law and read it to the king. Upon hearing the words of the book, King Josiah was greatly moved and ordered that the book be read to the people of Judah. Shaphan also played a role in the reforms of King Josiah. He was sent to the Temple to inquire of the Lord and to seek guidance on how to reform the kingdom. He was also sent to the prophetess Huldah to inquire of the Lord. Shaphan is remembered for his role in the discovery of the Book of the Law and his role in the reforms of King Josiah. He is an important figure in the Bible and is remembered for his faithfulness to God and his service to the kingdom of Judah.

Name meaning

Rock Badger

Name origin

Hebrew

Role

Scribe

First mention

2 Kings 22:3

Appearances in the Bible

24 mentions

Family

Relatives of Shaphan

Shaphan in the Bible

Explore all 11 chapters where Shaphan appears

2 Kings

Chapter 22

Josiah's Reforms in Judah

Josiah becomes king of Judah and carries out extensive reforms, removing idolatry and repairing the temple.

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2 Kings

Chapter 25

Fall of Jerusalem and End of the Kingdom

Jerusalem is destroyed and the kingdom of Judah comes to an end, with the remaining citizens taken into exile in Babylon...

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 34

Josiah's Reforms and Rediscovery of the Law

Josiah's reign marked by extensive reforms, culminating in the rediscovery of the Law and a fervent commitment to renewi...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 26

Jeremiah's Prophecy in the Temple

In chapter 26 of the book of Jeremiah, the prophet delivers a warning message from God to the people of Judah. Speaking ...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 29

God's Plan for His People

In chapter 29 of the book of Jeremiah, God sends a message to the exiles in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah. He tel...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 36

The Scribe's Call and King's Ignorance

In Jeremiah chapter 36, God commands Jeremiah to write down all the prophecies he had spoken against Judah and its kings...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 39

Judah's Fall and the Capture of Jerusalem

In Jeremiah chapter 39, Babylonian forces capture Jerusalem and burn down the temple. King Zedekiah attempts to flee but...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 40

Gedaliah Appointed Governor

After the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, the Babylonian captain, Nebuzaradan, appointed Gedaliah as governor over...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 41

Assassination of Gedaliah and Military Retaliation

In Jeremiah 41, Ishmael conspires with ten other men to assassinate Gedaliah, who had been appointed as governor over Ju...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 43

The Futility of Resistance against God's Will

In Jeremiah chapter 43, the prophet warns the people of Judah not to flee to Egypt to escape the Babylonians, as it goes...

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Ezekiel

Chapter 8

A Vision of Idolatry in the Temple

In Ezekiel chapter 8, the prophet is granted a vision from God that reveals the extent of Israel's idolatry. He is trans...

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Showing all 11 chapter appearances