Topical Encyclopedia Gedaliah was a significant figure in the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Judah. Appointed by Nebuchadnezzar II as the governor over the remnant of Judah, Gedaliah was the son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, who had been a supporter of the prophet Jeremiah. His governorship is noted in 2 Kings 25:22-25 and Jeremiah 40-41. Gedaliah's administration was based in Mizpah, and he encouraged the people to serve the Babylonians peacefully. However, his tenure was short-lived as he was assassinated by Ishmael, a member of the royal family, which led to further turmoil and the eventual flight of the remaining Jews to Egypt.Zeri Zeri is a lesser-known biblical figure mentioned in the genealogies of the Levites. He is listed as a descendant of Levi through Gershon in 1 Chronicles 25:3. Zeri's name appears in the context of the organization of the temple musicians during the reign of King David. His lineage highlights the importance of the Levitical families in the worship and religious practices of Israel. Jeshaiah Jeshaiah, also spelled Isaiah in some translations, is a name attributed to several individuals in the Old Testament. One notable Jeshaiah is a descendant of Eliezer, the son of Moses, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 26:25. Another Jeshaiah is listed among the sons of Jeduthun, a Levitical musician, in 1 Chronicles 25:3. These references underscore the involvement of the Jeshaiah family in the religious and musical life of Israel. Shimei Shimei is a name associated with multiple individuals in the Bible. One prominent Shimei was a member of the tribe of Benjamin who cursed King David during Absalom's rebellion but later sought and received David's forgiveness (2 Samuel 16:5-13; 19:16-23). Another Shimei was a Levite, the son of Gershon, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:17. The name Shimei appears in various genealogical records, indicating its commonality and the diverse roles individuals with this name played in Israel's history. Hashabiah Hashabiah is a name that appears several times in the Old Testament, primarily associated with Levitical families. One Hashabiah was a Levite leader during the time of King David, responsible for the service of the temple (1 Chronicles 26:30). Another Hashabiah is mentioned as a leader of the Levites who returned from Babylonian exile with Ezra (Ezra 8:19). The recurrence of this name in Levitical contexts highlights the ongoing dedication of these families to the service of God and the temple. Mattithiah Mattithiah is noted in the Bible as a Levitical musician during the reign of King David. He was one of the sons of Jeduthun, a chief musician, and was responsible for playing the harp in the temple worship (1 Chronicles 25:3). The role of Mattithiah and his family in the musical worship of Israel underscores the importance of music in the religious life of the nation and the careful organization of temple services. |