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Matthew George Easton
Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition (1897) · 3,964 entries on site
Union. (1.) A son of Shimei, and grandson of Gershom ( 1 Chr. 23:10 ). (2.) One of the sons of Shelomoth, of the family of Kohath ( 1 Chr. 24:22 ). (3.) A Levite of the family of Merari, one of the overseers of the repairs of the temple under Josiah ( 2 Chr. 34:12 ).
God’s living one. (1.) The father of Gibeon ( 1 Chr. 9:35 ). (2.) One of David’s guard ( 1 Chr. 11:44 ). (3.) One of the Levites “of the second degree,” appointed to conduct the music on the occasion of the ark’s being removed to Jerusalem ( 1 Chr. 15:18 , 20 ). (4.) A Hachmonite, a tutor in the family of David toward the close of his reign ( 1 Chr. 27:32 ). (5.) The second of Jehoshaphat’s six sons ( 2 Chr. 21:2 ). (6.) One of the Levites of the family of Heman who assisted Hezekiah in his work of reformation ( 2 Chr. 29:14 ). (7.) A “prince” and “ruler of the house of God” who contributed liberally to the renewal of the temple sacrifices under Josiah ( 2 Chr. 35:8 ). (8.) The father of Obadiah ( Ezra 8:9 ). (9.) One of the “sons” of Elam ( Ezra 10:26 ). (10.) Ezra 10:21 .
Jehovah his sustainer, or he whom Jehovah holdeth. (1.) The youngest son of Jehoram, king of Judah ( 2 Chr. 21:17 ; 22:1 , 6 , 8 , 9 ); usually Ahaziah (q.v.). (2.) The son and successor of Jehu, king of Israel ( 2 Kings 10:35 ). He reigned seventeen years, and followed the evil ways of the house of Jeroboam. The Syrians, under Hazael and Benhadad, prevailed over him, but were at length driven out of the land by his son Jehoash (13:1-9, 25). (3.) Josiah’s third son, usually called Shallum ( 1 Chr. 3:15 ). He succeeded his father on the throne, and reigned over Judah for three months ( 2 Kings 23:31 , 34 ). He fell into the idolatrous ways of his predecessors (23:32), was deposed by Pharaoh-Necho from the throne, and carried away prisoner into Egypt, where he died in captivity (23:33, 34; Jer. 22:10-12 ; 2 Chr. 36:1-4 ).
He whom Jehovah has set up, the second son of Josiah, and eighteenth king of Judah, which he ruled over for eleven years (B.C. 610-599). His original name was Eliakim (q.v.). On the death of his father his younger brother Jehoahaz (=Shallum, Jer. 22:11 ), who favoured the Chaldeans against the Egyptians, was made king by the people; but the king of Egypt, Pharaoh-necho, invaded the land and deposed Jehoahaz ( 2 Kings 23:33 , 34 ; Jer. 22:10-12 ), setting Eliakim on the throne in his stead, and changing his name to Jehoiakim. After this the king of Egypt took no part in Jewish politics, having been defeated by the Chaldeans at Carchemish ( 2 Kings 24:7 ; Jer. 46:2 ). Palestine was now invaded and conquered by Nebuchadnezzar. Jehoiakim was taken prisoner and carried captive to Babylon ( 2 Chr. 36:6 , 7 ). It was at this time that Daniel also and his three companions were taken captive to Babylon ( Dan. 1:1 , 2 ). Nebuchadnezzar reinstated Jehoiakim on his throne, but treated him as a vassal king. In the year after this, Jeremiah caused his prophecies to be read by Baruch in the court of the temple. Jehoiakim, hearing of this, had them also read in the royal palace before himself. The words displeased him, and taking the roll from the hands of Baruch he cut it in pieces and threw it into the fire ( Jer. 36:23 ). During his disastrous reign there was a return to the old idolatry and corruption of the days of Manasseh. After three years of subjection to Babylon, Jehoiakim withheld his tribute and threw off the yoke ( 2 Kings 24:1 ), hoping to make himself independent. Nebuchadnezzar sent bands of Chaldeans, Syrians, and Ammonites ( 2 Kings 24:2 ) to chastise his rebellious vassal. They cruelly harassed the whole country (comp. Jer. 49:1-6 ). The king came to a violent death, and his body having been thrown over the wall of Jerusalem, to convince the beseieging army that he was dead, after having been dragged away, was buried beyond the gates of Jerusalem “with the burial of an ass,” B.C. 599 ( Jer. 22:18 , 19 ; 36:30). Nebuchadnezzar placed his son Jehoiachin on the throne, wishing still to retain the kingdom of Judah as tributary to him.
Snatched away by God. (1.) A descendant of Benjamin ( 1 Chr. 9:35 ; 8:29 ). (2.) One of the Levites who took part in praising God on the removal of the ark to Jerusalem ( 1 Chr. 16:5 ). (3.) 2 Chr. 29:13 . A Levite of the sons of Asaph. (4.) 2 Chr. 26:11 . A scribe. (5.) 1 Chr. 5:7 . A Reubenite chief. (6.) One of the chief Levites, who made an offering for the restoration of the Passover by Josiah ( 2 Chr. 35:9 ). (7.) Ezra 8:13 . (8.) Ezra 10:43 .
Raised up or appointed by Jehovah. (1.) A Gadite who joined David in the wilderness ( 1 Chr. 12:10 ). (2.) A Gadite warrior ( 1 Chr. 12:13 ). (3.) A Benjamite slinger who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:4 ). (4.) One of the chiefs of the tribe of Manasseh on the east of Jordan ( 1 Chr. 5:24 ). (5.) The father of Hamutal ( 2 Kings 23:31 ), the wife of Josiah. (6.) One of the “greater prophets” of the Old Testament, son of Hilkiah (q.v.), a priest of Anathoth ( Jer. 1:1 ; 32:6 ). He was called to the prophetical office when still young (1:6), in the thirteenth year of Josiah (B.C. 628). He left his native place, and went to reside in Jerusalem, where he greatly assisted Josiah in his work of reformation ( 2 Kings 23:1-25 ). The death of this pious king was bewailed by the prophet as a national calamity ( 2 Chr. 35:25 ). During the three years of the reign of Jehoahaz we find no reference to Jeremiah, but in the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the enmity of the people against him broke out in bitter persecution, and he was placed apparently under restraint ( Jer. 36:5 ). In the fourth year of Jehoiakim he was commanded to write the predictions given to him, and to read them to the people on the fast-day. This was done by Baruch his servant in his stead, and produced much public excitement. The roll was read to the king. In his recklessness he seized the roll, and cut it to pieces, and cast it into the fire, and ordered both Baruch and Jeremiah to be apprehended. Jeremiah procured another roll, and wrote in it the words of the roll the king had destroyed, and “many like words” besides ( Jer. 36:32 ). He remained in Jerusalem, uttering from time to time his words of warning, but without effect. He was there when Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city ( Jer. 37:4 , 5 ), B.C. 589. The rumour of the approach of the Egyptians to aid the Jews in this crisis induced the Chaldeans to withdraw and return to their own land. This, however, was only for a time. The prophet, in answer to his prayer, received a message from God announcing that the Chaldeans would come again and take the city, and burn it with fire (37:7, 8). The princes, in their anger at such a message by Jeremiah, cast him into prison (37:15-38:13). He was still in confinement when the city was taken (B.C. 588). The Chaldeans released him, and showed him great kindness, allowing him to choose the place of his residence. He accordingly went to Mizpah with Gedaliah, who had been made governor of Judea. Johanan succeeded Gedaliah, and refusing to listen to Jeremiah’s counsels, went down into Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch with him ( Jer. 43:6 ). There probably the prophet spent the remainder of his life, in vain seeking still to turn the people to the Lord, from whom they had so long revolted (44). He lived till the reign of Evil-Merodach, son of Nebuchadnezzar, and must have been about ninety years of age at his death. We have no authentic record of his death. He may have died at Tahpanhes, or, according to a tradition, may have gone to Babylon with the army of Nebuchadnezzar; but of this there is nothing certain.
Jehovah his brother; i.e., helper. (1.) One of the sons of Obed-edom ( 1 Chr. 26:4 ), a Korhite porter. (2.) A Levite of the family of Gershom ( 1 Chr. 6:21 ), probably the same as Ethan (42). (3.) The son of Asaph, and “recorder” (q.v.) or chronicler to King Hezekiah ( 2 Kings 18:18 , 26 , 37 ). (4.) Son of Joahaz, and “recorder” (q.v.) or keeper of the state archives under King Josiah ( 2 Chr. 34:8 ).
Whom Jehovah graciously bestows. (1.) One of the Gadite heroes who joined David in the desert of Judah ( 1 Chr. 12:12 ). (2.) The oldest of King Josiah’s sons ( 1 Chr. 3:15 ). (3.) Son of Careah, one of the Jewish chiefs who rallied round Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in Jerusalem ( 2 Kings 25:23 ; Jer. 40:8 ). He warned Gedaliah of the plans of Ishmael against him, a warning which was unheeded ( Jer. 40:13 , 16 ). He afterwards pursued the murderer of the governor, and rescued the captives (41:8, 13, 15, 16). He and his associates subsequently fled to Tahpanhes in Egypt (43:2, 4, 5), taking Jeremiah with them. “The flight of Gedaliah’s community to Egypt extinguished the last remaining spark of life in the Jewish state. The work of the ten centuries since Joshua crossed the Jordan had been undone.”
Healed by Jehovah, or Jehovah will support. The son of Amon, and his successor on the throne of Judah ( 2 Kings 22:1 ; 2 Chr. 34:1 ). His history is contained in 2 Kings 22 , 23 . He stands foremost among all the kings of the line of David for unswerving loyalty to Jehovah (23:25). He “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father.” He ascended the throne at the early age of eight years, and it appears that not till eight years afterwards did he begin “to seek after the God of David his father.” At that age he devoted himself to God. He distinguished himself by beginning a war of extermination against the prevailing idolatry, which had practically been the state religion for some seventy years ( 2 Chr. 34:3 ; comp. Jer. 25:3 , 11 , 29 ). In the eighteenth year of his reign he proceeded to repair and beautify the temple, which by time and violence had become sorely dilapidated ( 2 Kings 22:3 , 5 , 6 ; 23:23; 2 Chr. 34:11 ). While this work was being carried on, Hilkiah, the high priest, discovered a roll, which was probably the original copy of the law, the entire Pentateuch, written by Moses. When this book was read to him, the king was alarmed by the things it contained, and sent for Huldah, the “prophetess,” for her counsel. She spoke to him words of encouragement, telling him that he would be gathered to his fathers in peace before the threatened days of judgment came. Josiah immediately gathered the people together, and engaged them in a renewal of their ancient national covenant with God. The Passover was then celebrated, as in the days of his great predecessor, Hezekiah, with unusual magnificence. Nevertheless, “the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah” ( 2 Kings 22:3-20 ; 23:21-27 ; 2 Chr. 35:1-19 ). During the progress of this great religious revolution Jeremiah helped it on by his earnest exhortations. Soon after this, Pharaoh-Necho II. (q.v.), king of Egypt, in an expedition against the king of Assyria, with the view of gaining possession of Carchemish, sought a passage through the territory of Judah for his army. This Josiah refused to permit. He had probably entered into some new alliance with the king of Assyria, and faithful to his word he sought to oppose the progress of Necho. The army of Judah went out and encountered that of Egypt at Megiddo, on the verge of the plain of Esdraelon. Josiah went into the field in disguise, and was fatally wounded by a random arrow. His attendants conveyed him toward Jerusalem, but had only reached Hadadrimmon, a few miles south of Megiddo, when he died ( 2 Kings 23:28 , 30 ; comp. 2 Chr. 35:20-27 ), after a reign of thirty-one years. He was buried with the greatest honours in fulfilment of Huldah’s prophecy ( 2 Kings 22:20 ; comp. Jer. 34:5 ). Jeremiah composed a funeral elegy on this the best of the kings of Israel ( Lam. 4:20 ; 2 Chr. 35:25 ). The outburst of national grief on account of his death became proverbial ( Zech. 12:11 ; comp. Rev. 16:16 ).
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