Bible Dictionary
Nehelamite, The
The Nehelamite was Shemaiah, a false prophet who opposed Jeremiah in Babylon. The designation may refer to a place or family, but its precise meaning is uncertain.
Definition
The Nehelamite was Shemaiah, a false prophet associated with the Jewish captivity in Babylon. The designation may mean a dweller of Nehelam, though no such place is found in the Old Testament. It may also suggest the idea of a dreamer.
Biblical Usage
Shemaiah the Nehelamite opposed Jeremiah and was condemned for his false prophetic activity among the exiles.
Historical Background
The term may derive from a place or family name. Its possible connection with the Hebrew word for dreaming accounts for the marginal rendering “dreamer,” but the precise origin remains uncertain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
the designation of a man named Shemaiah, a false prophet, who went with the captivity to Babylon. (Jeremiah 29:24,31,32) The name is no doubt formed from that either of Shemaiah’s native place or the progenitor of his family which of the two is uncertain.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ne-hel'-a-mit, (ha-necheldmi): The designation of Shemaiah, a false prophet who opposed Jeremiah (Jer 29:24,31,32). The word means "dweller of Nehelam," but no such place-name is found in the Old Testament. Its etymology, however, suggests a connection with the Hebrew chalam, "to dream," and this has given rise to the rendering of the King James Version margin "dreamer."</p>