King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 26:24 Mean?

Jeremiah 26:24 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 26:24 · KJV


Context

22

And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.

23

And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people. common: Heb. sons of the people

24

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (אַךְ יַד אֲחִיקָם בֶּן־שָׁפָן הָיְתָה אֶת־יִרְמְיָהוּ לְבִלְתִּי תֵּת־אֹתוֹ בְּיַד־הָעָם לַהֲמִיתוֹ, akh yad achiqam ben-shafan hay'tah et-yirm'yahu l'vilti tet-oto v'yad-ha'am lahamito). Ahikam (אֲחִיקָם, 'my brother has risen') from Shaphan's influential family (the scribe who read the Law to Josiah, 2 Kings 22:8-14) protected Jeremiah. The phrase 'the hand of' (יַד, yad) indicates authority and protection.

The contrast with Urijah's fate is stark: both prophets delivered identical messages, but Jeremiah had powerful protector while Urijah didn't. This illustrates providence's mysterious workings—not always explaining why some are preserved and others martyred. Ahikam's family consistently supported Jeremiah (later, Ahikam's son Gedaliah protected Jeremiah after Jerusalem's fall, Jeremiah 39:14). God uses human allies to accomplish His purposes. Protection came not through compromise but through providential placement of sympathizers in positions of power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Shaphan's family (Ahikam, later Gedaliah, and Shaphan himself) represented reform-minded officials who supported Josiah's reforms and protected prophetic ministry. Ahikam had heard God's Law read during temple renovation (2 Kings 22), shaping his theological commitments. His intervention likely occurred during the temple sermon crisis (Jeremiah 26:1-24), when religious leaders demanded Jeremiah's execution but nobles protected him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God providentially place allies in positions to protect His servants?
  2. What responsibility do you have to protect truth-tellers in your sphere of influence?
  3. How do you reconcile God preserving some faithful servants while allowing others to be martyred?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אַ֗ךְ1 of 14
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

בְיַד2 of 14

Nevertheless the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲחִיקָ֣ם3 of 14

of Ahikam

H296

achikam, an israelite

בֶּן4 of 14

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שָׁפָ֔ן5 of 14

of Shaphan

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

הָיְתָ֖ה6 of 14
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֶֽת7 of 14
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

יִרְמְיָ֑הוּ8 of 14

was with Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

לְבִלְתִּ֛י9 of 14
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

תֵּת10 of 14

that they should not give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹת֥וֹ11 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְיַד12 of 14

Nevertheless the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הָעָ֖ם13 of 14

of the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לַהֲמִיתֽוֹ׃14 of 14

to put him to death

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 26:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 26:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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