Tanhumeth
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Tanhumeth is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the events following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. His name appears in the Book of 2 Kings, where he is identified as one of the individuals associated with the remnant of Judah after the fall of Jerusalem.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Kings 25:23 : "When all the captains of the armies and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—these included Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, they and their men."

In this passage, Tanhumeth is mentioned indirectly through his son, Seraiah. Tanhumeth is identified as a Netophathite, indicating his origin from Netophah, a town in the region of Judah. The context of this verse is the appointment of Gedaliah as governor over the land by the Babylonians after the conquest of Jerusalem. The verse lists the leaders of the remnant military forces who came to Gedaliah at Mizpah, including Seraiah, the son of Tanhumeth.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The mention of Tanhumeth and his son Seraiah occurs during a tumultuous period in Judah's history. After the Babylonian conquest, the land was left in disarray, and the Babylonians appointed Gedaliah as governor to oversee the remaining population. This was a time of political instability and uncertainty, as various factions vied for power and influence in the absence of a centralized monarchy.

The Netophathites, to whom Tanhumeth belonged, were likely a clan or group associated with the town of Netophah. This town is mentioned in other parts of the Old Testament, notably in the genealogies and lists of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 2:54; 1 Chronicles 11:30). The Netophathites were part of the broader tribal and clan structure of ancient Israel, which played a significant role in the social and political organization of the time.

Theological Significance:

While Tanhumeth himself is not a central figure in biblical theology, his mention in the narrative highlights the broader theme of God's providence and the survival of a remnant. The appointment of Gedaliah and the gathering of leaders like Seraiah son of Tanhumeth illustrate the continued presence and activity of God among His people, even in the midst of judgment and exile. The remnant theme is significant throughout the Bible, pointing to God's faithfulness in preserving a people for Himself despite their circumstances.

Tanhumeth's inclusion in the biblical record, though brief, serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of individuals and families within the unfolding account of God's redemptive plan. His legacy, through his son Seraiah, is part of the larger narrative of restoration and hope that permeates the Scriptures.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Tanhumeth

consolation; repentance

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Tanhumeth

(consolation), the father of Seraiah in the time of Gedaliah. (2 Kings 25:23; Jeremiah 40:8) (B.C. before 582.)

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Consolation, a Netophathite; one of the captains who supported Gedaliah (2 Kings 25:23; Jeremiah 40:8).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TANHUMETH

tan-hu'-meth (tanchumeth): One of those who were left in Judah by Nebuchadnezzar under the governorship of Gedallah (2 Kings 25:23 Jeremiah 40:8).

Strong's Hebrew
8576. Tanchumeth -- father of Seraiah
... 8575, 8576. Tanchumeth. 8577 . father of Seraiah. Transliteration: Tanchumeth
Phonetic Spelling: (tan-khoo'-meth) Short Definition: Tanhumeth. ... Tanhumeth. ...
/hebrew/8576.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Tanhumeth (2 Occurrences)
... 40:8). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TANHUMETH. tan-hu'-meth ... 40:8).
Multi-Version Concordance Tanhumeth (2 Occurrences). 2 Kings 25 ...
/t/tanhumeth.htm - 8k

Tanhu'meth (2 Occurrences)
Tanhu'meth. Tanhumeth, Tanhu'meth. Tanis . Multi-Version Concordance
Tanhu'meth (2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Tanhumeth, Tanhu'meth. Tanis . Reference
/t/tanhu'meth.htm - 7k

Seraiah (18 Occurrences)
... (3) The son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and one of the heroic band of men who
saved themselves from the fury of Nebuchadnezzar when he stormed Jerusalem. ...
/s/seraiah.htm - 17k

Kareah (14 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/k/kareah.htm - 12k

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/k/kare'ah.htm - 10k

Nethani'ah (20 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/n/nethani'ah.htm - 13k

Netophathite (9 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/n/netophathite.htm - 9k

Nethaniah (20 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/n/nethaniah.htm - 15k

Netoph'athite (3 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/n/netoph'athite.htm - 7k

Jaazaniah (5 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/j/jaazaniah.htm - 11k

Resources
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Concordance
Tanhumeth (2 Occurrences)

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.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 40:8
then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, to wit, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Tanhumeth

Tanhumeth: Father of Seraiah

Related Terms

Tanhumeth (2 Occurrences)

Tanis

Tangled
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