Introduction:
Gedaliah, a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, is primarily known for his role as the governor of Judah after the Babylonian conquest. His account is found in the books of 2 Kings, Jeremiah, and 2 Chronicles. Gedaliah was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, to govern the remnant of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Family Background:
Gedaliah was the son of Ahikam, who was a supporter of the prophet Jeremiah. Ahikam had previously protected Jeremiah from execution (Jeremiah 26:24). Gedaliah's grandfather, Shaphan, was a scribe during the reign of King Josiah and played a role in the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:3-14).

Appointment as Governor:
After the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as governor over the cities of Judah. This appointment is recorded in 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."

Governorship and Policies:
Gedaliah established his administration in Mizpah, a city north of Jerusalem. He encouraged the remaining Judeans, including those who had fled to surrounding nations, to return and settle in the land, promising them safety and prosperity under Babylonian rule. Jeremiah 40:9-10 records Gedaliah's assurance: "Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Settle in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you."

Assassination Plot:
Despite his efforts to stabilize the region, Gedaliah's governorship was short-lived. A conspiracy against him was led by Ishmael son of Nethaniah, a member of the royal family. Johanan son of Kareah warned Gedaliah of the plot, as recorded in Jeremiah 40:13-14: "Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers in the open country came to Gedaliah at Mizpah and said to him, 'Are you aware that Baalis king of the Ammonites has sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to take your life?' But Gedaliah son of Ahikam did not believe them."

Assassination and Aftermath:
Ignoring the warnings, Gedaliah was assassinated by Ishmael during a meal at Mizpah, along with several Judeans and Babylonian soldiers (Jeremiah 41:1-3). This event led to further chaos and fear among the people, causing many to flee to Egypt, fearing Babylonian retribution.

Legacy:
Gedaliah's assassination marked a significant turning point for the Jewish remnant in Judah. His death is commemorated in Jewish tradition with a fast, known as the Fast of Gedaliah, observed on the third day of Tishrei. This fast serves as a reminder of the consequences of internal strife and the importance of unity and leadership under God's guidance.

Biblical References:
· 2 Kings 25:22-26
· Jeremiah 39:14; 40:5-16; 41:1-18
· 2 Chronicles 36:20-21

Gedaliah's account is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by the Jewish people during the Babylonian exile and the complexities of leadership in times of political upheaval. His life and tragic death underscore the themes of trust, betrayal, and the enduring hope for restoration.Gedali'ah (28 Occurrences)

2 Kings 25:22
And as for the people that were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 25:23
Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.
(See RSV)

2 Kings 25:24
And Gedaliah swore to them and to their men, and said unto them: 'Fear not because of the servants of the Chaldeans; dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.'
(See RSV)

2 Kings 25:25
But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldeans that were with him at Mizpah.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 25:3
Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six; under the hands of their father Jeduthun with the harp, who prophesied in giving thanks and praising the LORD.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 25:9
Now the first lot came forth for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah; he and his brethren and sons were twelve;
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Ezra 10:18
And among the sons of the priests there were found that had married foreign women, namely: of the sons of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and his brethren, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 38:1
And Shephatiah son of Mattan, and Gedaliah son of Pashhur, and Jucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchiah, hear the words that Jeremiah is speaking unto all the people, saying,
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 39:14
yea, they send and take Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and give him unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, to carry him home, and he dwelleth in the midst of the people.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:5
and while he doth not reply -- 'Or turn back unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath appointed over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him in the midst of the people, or whithersoever it is right in thine eyes to go -- go.' And the chief of the executioners giveth to him for the way, and a gift, and sendeth him away,
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:6
and Jeremiah cometh in unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to Mizpah, and dwelleth with him, in the midst of the people who are left in the land.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:7
And all the heads of the forces that 'are' in the field hear, they and their men, that the king of Babylon hath appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land, and that he hath charged him 'with' men, and women, and infants, and of the poor of the land, of those who have not been removed to Babylon;
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:8
and they come in unto Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan sons of Kareah, and Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah son of the Maachathite, they and their men.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:9
And swear to them doth Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, and to their men, saying, 'Be not afraid of serving the Chaldeans, abide in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it is well for you;
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:11
And also all the Jews who 'are' in Moab, and among the sons of Ammon, and in Edom, and who 'are' in all the lands, have heard that the king of Babylon hath given a remnant to Judah, and that he hath appointed over them Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan,
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:13
And Johanan son of Kareah, and all the heads of the forces that 'are' in the field, have come in unto Gedaliah to Mizpah,
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:14
and they say unto him, 'Dost thou really know that Baalis king of the sons of Ammon hath sent Ishmael son of Nethaniah to smite thy soul?' And Gedaliah son of Ahikam hath not given to them credence.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:15
And Johanan son of Kareah hath spoken unto Gedaliah in secret, in Mizpah, saying, 'Let me go, I pray thee, and I smite Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one doth know; why doth he smite thy soul? and scattered have been all Judah who are gathered unto thee, and perished hath the remnant of Judah.'
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 40:16
And Gedaliah son of Ahikam saith unto Johanan son of Kareah, 'Thou dost not do this thing, for falsehood thou art speaking concerning Ishmael.'
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 41:1
And it cometh to pass, in the seventh month, come hath Ishmael son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and of the chiefs of the king, and ten men with him, unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to Mizpah, and they eat there bread together in Mizpah.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 41:2
And Ishmael son of Nethaniah riseth, and the ten men who have been with him, and they smite Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, and he putteth him to death whom the king of Babylon hath appointed over the land.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 41:3
And all the Jews who have been with him, with Gedaliah, in Mizpah, and the Chaldeans who have been found there -- the men of war -- hath Ishmael smitten.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 41:4
And it cometh to pass, on the second day of the putting of Gedaliah to death, (and no one hath known,)
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Jeremiah 41:6
And Ishmael son of Nethaniah goeth forth to meet them, from Mizpah, going on and weeping, and it cometh to pass, at meeting them, that he saith unto them, 'Come in unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam.'
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 41:10
And Ishmael taketh captive all the remnant of the people who 'are' in Mizpah, the daughters of the king, and all the people who are left in Mizpah, whom Nebuzar-Adan, chief of the executioners, hath committed 'to' Gedaliah son of Ahikam, and Ishmael son of Nethaniah taketh them captive, and goeth to pass over unto the sons of Ammon.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 41:16
And Johanan son of Kareah, and all the heads of the forces who 'are' with him, take all the remnant of the people whom he hath brought back from Ishmael son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah -- after he had smitten Gedaliah son of Ahikam -- mighty ones, men of war, and women, and infants, and eunuchs, whom he had brought back from Gibeon,
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 41:18
from the presence of the Chaldeans, for they have been afraid of them, for Ishmael son of Nethaniah had smitten Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land.
(See RSV)

Zephaniah 1:1
A word of Jehovah that hath been unto Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezikiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amoz, king of Judah:
(See RSV)

Gedali'ah (28 Occurrences)
Gedali'ah. Gedaliah, Gedali'ah. Geddur . Multi-Version Concordance
Gedali'ah (28 Occurrences). 2 Kings 25:22 And as for the people ...
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Geddur

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Gedaliah (31 Occurrences)

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