Bible Dictionary

Shallum

People & Groups • Old Testament

Shallum was the name of several Old Testament men, including a king of Israel who reigned only one month and a son of Josiah who became king of Judah as Jehoahaz and died in exile in Egypt.

Definition

Shallum is the name of several Old Testament men, including a king of Israel, temple and gate officials, Levites, genealogical figures, and a son of Josiah. The best-known Shallum in the supplied material is the short-reigning king of Israel and Josiah’s son who became Jehoahaz of Judah.

Biblical Usage

Shallum son of Jabesh assassinated Zachariah and reigned in Samaria for only a month before Menahem killed him. Shallum son of Josiah succeeded his father as Jehoahaz, was taken captive to Egypt by Pharaoh Necho, and died there. Other bearers served as temple keepers, gatekeepers, Levites, or appeared in genealogies.

Historical Background

The name is explained as “retribution.” The king of Israel’s brief reign illustrates the instability of the northern kingdom. Jehoahaz was the first king of Judah to die in exile, after Egypt replaced him with Eliakim.

Scripture References

2 Kings 15:10 2 Kings 15:14 2 Kings 15:15 2 Kings 15:17 2 Kings 22:14 1 Chronicles 2:40 1 Chronicles 2:41 1 Chronicles 4:25 1 Chronicles 6:13 1 Chronicles 7:13 1 Chronicles 9:17 1 Chronicles 9:19 1 Chronicles 9:31 Jeremiah 35:4 2 Chronicles 28:12 Jeremiah 32:7 1 Chronicles 3:15 Jeremiah 22:11 2 Kings 23:32 Ezekiel 19:3 2 Kings 15:10-14 2 Chronicles 34:23 1 Chronicles 6:12 Ezra 7:2 Ezra 10:24 Ezra 10:42 Nehemiah 3:12

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Retribution. (1.) The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He “conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead” (2 Kings 15:10). He reigned only “a month of days in Samaria” (15:13, marg.). Menahem rose up against Shallum and put him to death (2 Kings 15:14, 15, 17), and became king in his stead. (2.) Keeper of the temple vestments in the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:14). (3.) One of the posterity of Judah (1 Chr. 2:40, 41). (4.) A descendant of Simeon (1 Chr. 4:25). (5.) One of the line of the high priests (1 Chr. 6:13). (6.) 1 Chr. 7:13. (7.) A keeper of the gate in the reign of David (1 Chr. 9:17). (8.) A Levite porter (1 Chr. 9:19, 31; Jer. 35:4). (9.) An Ephraimite chief (2 Chr. 28:12). (10.) The uncle of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 32:7). (11.) A son of king Josiah (1 Chr. 3:15; Jer. 22:11), who was elected to succeed his father on the throne, although he was two years younger than his brother Eliakim. He assumed the crown under the name of Jehoahaz (q.v.). He did not imitate the example of his father (2 Kings 23:32), but was “a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men” (Ezek. 19:3). His policy was anti-Egyptian therefore. Necho, at that time at Riblah, sent an army against Jerusalem, which at once yielded, and Jehoahaz was carried captive to the Egyptian camp, Eliakim being appointed king in his stead. He remained a captive in Egypt till his death, and was the first king of Judah that died in exile.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(retribution).

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