Gedaliah

Gedaliah, appointed governor of Judah by the Babylonians after the fall of Jerusalem, was assassinated by Ishmael, leading to the flight of the remaining Jews to Egypt.

Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, was appointed governor of Judah by the Babylonians after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC (2Ki 25:22; Jer 40:5). He established his base at Mizpah and encouraged the remaining Jews to submit to Babylonian rule and live peacefully in the land (Jer 40:9-10). Many Jews who had fled to surrounding countries returned to Judah and settled under Gedaliah's leadership (Jer 40:11-12). However, Ishmael, a member of the royal family, conspired against Gedaliah and assassinated him along with the Babylonian officials and Jews who were with him (2Ki 25:25; Jer 41:1-3). This act of treachery led to the flight of the remaining Jews to Egypt, fearing Babylonian reprisals (2Ki 25:26; Jer.41.16-18; 43.5-7). Gedaliah's assassination marked the end of Jewish self-rule in the land and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. The prophet Jeremiah, who had been released from prison by the Babylonians and entrusted to Gedaliah's care (Jer.39.14; 40.5-6), witnessed these tragic events and mourned the loss of Gedaliah and the fate of his people (Jer 41:4-6).

The son of Ahikam, and grandson of Shaphan, secretary of king Josiah (Jer. 26:24). After the destruction of Jerusalem (see ZEDEKIAH), Nebuchadnezzar left him to govern the country as tributary to him (2 Kings 25:22; Jer. 40:5; 52:16). Ishmael, however, at the head of a party of the royal family, “Jewish irreconcilables”, rose against him, and slew him and “all the Jews that were with him” (Jer. 41:2, 3) at Mizpah about three months after the destruction of Jerusalem. He and his band also plundered the town of Mizpah, and carried off many captives. He was, however, overtaken by Johanan and routed. He fled with such of his followers as escaped to the Ammonites (41:15). The little remnant of the Jews now fled to Egypt.