Gemariah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah. He is recognized as a significant character during the time of the prophet Jeremiah, playing a role in the events surrounding the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem.

Name and Meaning

The name Gemariah (Hebrew: גְּמַרְיָהוּ, Gemaryahu) means "Yahweh has accomplished" or "Yahweh has perfected." This name reflects the common practice in ancient Israel of incorporating the name of God (Yahweh) into personal names, signifying a relationship or acknowledgment of divine action.

Biblical References

Gemariah is primarily mentioned in the context of the narrative found in Jeremiah 36. He is identified as the son of Shaphan, a scribe who served during the reign of King Josiah. Shaphan is noted for his role in the discovery of the Book of the Law during the temple renovations (2 Kings 22:3-13), which led to significant religious reforms.

In Jeremiah 36, Gemariah is depicted as a scribe in the court of King Jehoiakim. The chapter describes a critical moment when Jeremiah, under divine instruction, dictates a scroll containing all the words the Lord had spoken to him concerning Israel, Judah, and other nations. This scroll is then read aloud by Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, in the temple.

Role in Jeremiah 36

Gemariah's involvement is highlighted when Baruch reads the scroll in the chamber of Gemariah, located in the upper court at the entry of the New Gate of the Lord's house. The text states:

"Then Baruch read from the scroll the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah son of Shaphan the scribe, in the upper court at the entrance of the New Gate of the LORD’s house, in the hearing of all the people." (Jeremiah 36:10)

Gemariah's chamber serves as a significant location for the public reading of Jeremiah's prophecies, indicating his position and influence within the royal court. His association with the temple and the reading of the scroll suggests a level of support or at least openness to Jeremiah's message, contrasting with the hostility shown by King Jehoiakim.

Family and Legacy

Gemariah's family is notable for their involvement in the religious and political life of Judah. His father, Shaphan, was instrumental in the reforms of King Josiah, and his brother, Ahikam, is known for protecting Jeremiah from execution (Jeremiah 26:24). This family connection underscores a legacy of faithfulness and support for prophetic voices during a tumultuous period in Judah's history.

Historical and Theological Significance

Gemariah's presence in the narrative of Jeremiah 36 highlights the complex interplay between prophetic messages and political power. His willingness to allow the reading of Jeremiah's scroll in his chamber suggests a degree of respect for the prophetic word, even amidst a climate of opposition. This episode serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by prophets and their supporters in delivering God's message to a resistant audience.

Gemariah's account, though brief, is a testament to the enduring impact of those who, even in small ways, contribute to the preservation and proclamation of divine truth. His role in the events of Jeremiah 36 illustrates the importance of faithful individuals within the broader narrative of God's dealings with His people.Gemariah

accomplishment or perfection of the Lord

Gemariah

(perfected by Jehovah).

1. Son of Shaphan the scribe, and father of Michaiah. He was one of the nobles of Judah, and had a chamber int he house of the Lord, from which Baruch read Jeremiah's alarming prophecy in the ears of all the people, B.C. 606. (Jeremiah 36:1) ...
2. Son of Hilkiah, was made the bearer of Jeremiah's letter to the captive Jews. (Jeremiah 29:3) (B.C. 594.)

Gemariah

1. The son Shaphan, a scribe of the temple in the time of Jehoiakim. In his apartment Baruch read aloud the prophecies of Jeremiah; and he, with others, secured a second and more public reading, and brought the roll to be read to the king, who cause it to be burned, Jeremiah 36:1-32.

2. The son of Hilkiah, sent to Babylon by King Hezekiah with tribute money for Nebuchadnezzar. He was also the bearer of a letter in which Jeremiah warned the captive Jews against false prophets who promised them a speedy return, Jeremiah 29:3,4.

Jehovah has made perfect.

(1.) The son of Shaphan, and one of the Levites of the temple in the time of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:10; 2 Kings 22:12). Baruch read aloud to the people from Gemariah's chamber, and again in the hearing of Gemariah and other scribes, the prophecies of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:11-20), which filled him with terror. He joined with others in entreating the king not to destroy the roll of the prophecies which Baruch had read (21-25).

(2.) The son of Hilkiah, who accompanied Shaphan with the tribute-money from Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar, and was the bearer at the same time of a letter from Jeremiah to the Jewish captives at Babylon (Jeremiah 29:3, 4).

GEMARIAH

gem-a-ri'-a (gemaryahu, gemaryah, "Yahweh hath accomplished"):

(1) Son of Shaphan the scribe, one of the princes, from whose chamber Baruch read Jeremiah's prophecies to the people. He, with others, sought to stay Jehoiakim from burning the roll (Jeremiah 36:10, 11, 12, 25).

(2) Son of Hilkiah, one of Zedekiah's ambassadors to Babylon, by whom Jeremiah sent his letter to the captives (Jeremiah 29:3).

1587. Gemaryah -- "Yah has accomplished," two Israelites
... "Yah has accomplished," two Israelites. Transliteration: Gemaryah or Gemaryahu Phonetic
Spelling: (ghem-ar-yaw') Short Definition: Gemariah. ... Gemariah. ...
/hebrew/1587.htm - 6k

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... and to all the people, whom Nebuchadrezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem
to Babylon; by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

The Writing of an Ancient Book
... their garments. Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah begged Jehoiakim not
to burn the roll, but he would not listen to them. He also ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the writing of an ancient.htm

The Release of Hope. (xxiv, xxix. )
... the Letter which Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem unto [the remnant of] the elders of
the exiles, [3] by the hand of Eleasah, son of Shaphan, and Gemariah, son of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 the release of hope.htm

The Doctrine of the Scriptures.
... a book. When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard
out of the book all the words of the Lord. . . . Then the ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the scriptures.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Gemariah (5 Occurrences)
... Baruch read aloud to the people from Gemariah's chamber, and again in the hearing
of Gemariah and other scribes, the prophecies of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:11-20 ...
/g/gemariah.htm - 9k

Gemari'ah (5 Occurrences)
... Gemariah, Gemari'ah. Gematria . ... Jeremiah 36:11 And Michaiah son of Gemariah,
son of Shaphan, heareth all the words of Jehovah from off the book, (See RSV). ...
/g/gemari'ah.htm - 7k

Shaphan (26 Occurrences)
... son, Elasah, was one of the two men entrusted by Jeremiah with his letter to the
captives in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:3). A third son, Gemariah, vainly tried to ...
/s/shaphan.htm - 18k

Michaiah (7 Occurrences)
... (2.) One of those sent out by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the law (2
Chronicles 17:7). (3.) 2 Kings 22:12. (4.) The son of Gemariah. ...
/m/michaiah.htm - 9k

Elna'than (5 Occurrences)
... of the scribe, and lo, there are all the heads sitting: Elishama the scribe, and
Delaiah son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan son of Acbor, and Gemariah son of Shaphan ...
/e/elna'than.htm - 7k

Elasah (4 Occurrences)
... (2) A son of Shaphan, by whom, with Gemariah, King Zedekiah sent a message to
Babylon (Jeremiah 29:3). See ELEASAH. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/e/elasah.htm - 8k

Elnathan (5 Occurrences)
... behold, all the princes were sitting there, to wit, Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah
the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son ...
/e/elnathan.htm - 9k

Delai'ah (6 Occurrences)
... of the scribe, and lo, there are all the heads sitting: Elishama the scribe, and
Delaiah son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan son of Acbor, and Gemariah son of Shaphan ...
/d/delai'ah.htm - 7k

Delaiah (7 Occurrences)
... behold, all the princes were sitting there, to wit, Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah
the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son ...
/d/delaiah.htm - 10k

Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:10 Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of
Yahweh, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan, the scribe, in the ...
/s/secretary.htm - 18k

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