Hananiah, the son of Shelemiah, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah. He is noted for his role during the tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile, a time marked by political instability and prophetic activity in the Kingdom of Judah.

Biblical References:

Hananiah is primarily mentioned in the context of the prophet Jeremiah's ministry. His most notable appearance is in Jeremiah 36, where he is identified as one of the officials in the court of King Jehoiakim of Judah. The Berean Standard Bible provides the following account:

"Then the officials said to Baruch, 'You and Jeremiah must hide yourselves and let no one know where you are.' So they went to the king in the courtyard, having deposited the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and they reported everything to the king. The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king and all the officials who were standing beside him." (Jeremiah 36:19-21)

In this passage, Hananiah is part of the group of officials who are involved in the events surrounding the reading of Jeremiah's scroll. The scroll contained prophecies of impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, which were not well-received by the king. The officials, including Hananiah, were aware of the potential danger posed by the king's reaction to Jeremiah's prophecies, prompting them to advise Baruch and Jeremiah to hide.

Historical and Theological Context:

The period in which Hananiah lived was one of significant prophetic activity, as God sent prophets like Jeremiah to warn the people of Judah about the consequences of their idolatry and disobedience. The political landscape was dominated by the threat of Babylonian conquest, and the messages of the prophets often conflicted with the desires of the ruling class, who sought to maintain their power and security through alliances and political maneuvering.

Hananiah's involvement in the events of Jeremiah 36 highlights the tension between the prophetic word and the political authorities of the time. The officials' decision to hide Jeremiah and Baruch indicates a recognition of the seriousness of the prophetic message, even if they did not fully align themselves with Jeremiah's warnings.

Significance:

Hananiah, son of Shelemiah, serves as a representative of the Judean officials who were caught between the prophetic declarations of impending judgment and the political realities of their day. His actions, along with those of his fellow officials, reflect the complex interplay between faithfulness to God's word and the pressures of political expediency.

While Hananiah's personal beliefs and motivations are not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, his presence in the narrative underscores the broader theme of the struggle to heed God's warnings amidst a culture resistant to divine correction. His account is a reminder of the challenges faced by those who must navigate the demands of leadership while remaining attentive to the voice of God through His prophets.Nehemiah 3:30
After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
Nave's Topical Index

The World's Wages to a Prophet
... And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose
name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the worlds wages to a.htm

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