Jehu'cal, also known as Jucal, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah. He was a prominent official during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, the last king before the Babylonian exile. Jehu'cal's role and actions are primarily documented in the context of the political and spiritual turmoil that characterized the final years of the Kingdom of Judah.

Biblical References:

Jehu'cal is mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah, where he is identified as the son of Shelemiah. His involvement is noted during a critical period when the prophet Jeremiah was delivering messages from God concerning the impending destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The key passages that mention Jehu'cal are found in Jeremiah 37:3 and Jeremiah 38:1-6.

In Jeremiah 37:3 , it is recorded: "Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with this message: 'Please pray to the LORD our God for us.'" This verse highlights Jehu'cal's role as an emissary of King Zedekiah, tasked with seeking divine intervention through the prayers of Jeremiah. This request underscores the desperation and dire circumstances faced by the leadership of Judah as the Babylonian threat loomed large.

Further, in Jeremiah 38:1-6 , Jehu'cal is mentioned again in a narrative that illustrates the tension between Jeremiah and the officials of Judah. The passage states: "Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchijah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people: 'This is what the LORD says: Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes over to the Chaldeans will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war, and he will live.' Therefore the officials said to the king, 'This man ought to die, for he is weakening the resolve of the remaining men of war in this city and of all the people by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.' 'Here he is!' replied King Zedekiah. 'He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.' So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchijah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud."

This passage reveals Jehu'cal's involvement in the plot against Jeremiah, as he, along with other officials, accused the prophet of demoralizing the people and sought his death. Their actions led to Jeremiah being cast into a cistern, highlighting the intense opposition he faced from the political leaders of Judah.

Historical and Theological Context:

Jehu'cal's actions must be understood within the broader context of the political instability and spiritual decline of Judah during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. As a royal official, Jehu'cal was part of the administration that struggled to navigate the pressures from the Babylonian Empire while dealing with internal dissent and prophetic warnings.

From a theological perspective, Jehu'cal's interactions with Jeremiah reflect the broader theme of resistance to God's prophetic messages. The officials' rejection of Jeremiah's counsel and their subsequent actions against him illustrate the hardened hearts and spiritual blindness that characterized much of Judah's leadership at the time. This resistance ultimately contributed to the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies concerning the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.

Jehu'cal's account serves as a reminder of the consequences of ignoring divine warnings and the importance of heeding God's word, even when it challenges political and social norms. His legacy, as recorded in Scripture, is a testament to the complex interplay between faith, politics, and prophecy in the history of Israel and Judah.Jehu'cal (1 Occurrence)

Jeremiah 37:3
And Zedekiah the king sendeth Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest, unto Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 'Pray, we beseech thee, for us unto Jehovah our God.'
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Jehu'cal (1 Occurrence)
Jehu'cal. Jehucal, Jehu'cal. Jehud . Multi-Version Concordance Jehu'cal
(1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 37:3 And Zedekiah the king sendeth ...
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Jehud (1 Occurrence)

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Jehucal (2 Occurrences)

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