Lexical Summary Tanchumeth: Tanhumeth Original Word: תַּנְחֻמֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tanhumeth For tanchuwm (feminine); Tanchumeth, an Israelite -- Tanhumeth. see HEBREW tanchuwm NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nacham Definition father of Seraiah NASB Translation Tanhumeth (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs תַּנְחֻ֫מֶת proper name, masculine (? LagBN 126 f. thinks feminine) parent of Seraiah, a Hebrew captain, after fall of Jerusalem Jeremiah 40:8 = 2 Kings 25:23 ( Lagl.c. conjecture תסחמת, Egyptian name). נַחְנוּ see אֲנַחְנוּ b above Topical Lexicon Etymology and Meaning The name תַּנְחֻמֶת (Tanchumeth) draws from a Hebrew root that speaks of comfort and consolation. While the form appears only as a proper noun, its semantic field fits naturally within a biblical tapestry where God’s redemptive compassion is highlighted, especially in seasons of national calamity. Biblical Occurrences 1. 2 Kings 25:23 In both texts Tanchumeth is identified as the father of Seraiah, a Netophathite commander who, with other Judean officers, approached Gedaliah at Mizpah after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. Historical Setting The two references fall in the brief interval between the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the murder of Gedaliah governor of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar had left a remnant in the land under Gedaliah’s oversight (2 Kings 25:22). Surviving military leaders—among them Seraiah son of Tanchumeth—brought their men to submit to the new administration, hoping to preserve Judean life and worship amid foreign domination. Netophah, their home region, lay just south of Jerusalem; its inhabitants had tasted the full fury of Babylon’s campaign, making any glimmer of “consolation” precious indeed. Theological Significance 1. Providence in Personal Names Even when a name surfaces only briefly, Scripture often embeds theological resonance. “Tanchumeth” intersects God’s promise to comfort His people after judgment (Isaiah 40:1). In the wreckage of the city, the mere mention of a “comfort” motif signals hope that divine mercy has not been extinguished. 2. Faithful Remnant The Netophathites symbolise the remnant theme—those spared to carry forward covenant promises (Jeremiah 40:11-12). By standing with Gedaliah, Seraiah son of Tanchumeth aligned with the prophetic counsel to accept Babylonian rule as God’s discipline (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Tanchumeth’s lineage thus participates in the larger narrative of obedience within exile. 3. Foreshadowing Messianic Comfort Old Testament consolations anticipate the ultimate Comforter. Luke 2:25 calls Jesus the “consolation of Israel,” and Paul later declares God “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). The sparse record of Tanchumeth subtly joins this progressive revelation: comfort promised, partially experienced, fully realised in Christ. Practical Ministry Application • Post-Crisis Leadership: Tanchumeth’s household points to leaders who shepherd traumatized communities. Pastors today can model Gedaliah’s peace-seeking posture, welcoming repentant warriors and rebuilding trust. Related Themes in Scripture Comfort in affliction – Psalm 119:50; Isaiah 51:3 God’s remnant – Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 11:5 Submission to divine discipline – Hebrews 12:5-11 Messianic consolation – Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18-21 Key Verse for Reflection “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed.” (Isaiah 40:1-2) Tanchumeth’s brief appearance reminds readers that, in every generation, God embeds tokens of consolation amid judgment, urging His people to recognize and receive the comfort He supplies. Forms and Transliterations תַּנְחֻ֜מֶת תנחמת tan·ḥu·meṯ tanChumet tanḥumeṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 25:23 HEB: וּשְׂרָיָ֨ה בֶן־ תַּנְחֻ֜מֶת הַנְּטֹפָתִ֗י וְיַֽאֲזַנְיָ֙הוּ֙ NAS: the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, KJV: the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, INT: and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite and Jaazaniah Jeremiah 40:8 2 Occurrences |
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