Shelemiah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah. He is identified as the father of Irijah, a captain of the guard during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. The name Shelemiah means "Yahweh has repaid" or "Yahweh is peace," reflecting a common practice in ancient Israel of embedding the name of God within personal names to convey faith or divine attributes.

Biblical Reference:

Shelemiah is mentioned in the context of a significant event in the life of the prophet Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 37:13, we read about an encounter between Jeremiah and Irijah, the son of Shelemiah:

"While he was at the Benjamin Gate, a captain of the guard whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, was there. He arrested Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 'You are deserting to the Chaldeans!'” (Jeremiah 37:13).

This passage highlights the role of Shelemiah's son, Irijah, in the arrest of Jeremiah. The incident occurs during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, as the Babylonian forces were besieging Jerusalem. Jeremiah had been prophesying the impending fall of the city and urging the people to surrender to the Babylonians, which led to accusations of treason against him.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The mention of Shelemiah, though brief, places him within the broader narrative of the political and spiritual turmoil of Judah in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. His son, Irijah, served as a captain of the guard, indicating that Shelemiah's family held a position of some authority and responsibility within the kingdom of Judah.

The role of Irijah in arresting Jeremiah reflects the tension between the prophetic message and the political authorities of the time. Jeremiah's prophecies were often seen as subversive, and those in power, including military officials like Irijah, were tasked with maintaining order and loyalty to the king.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the account involving Shelemiah's son underscores the challenges faced by prophets in delivering God's message. It illustrates the conflict between divine revelation and human authority, a recurring theme throughout the prophetic books of the Old Testament. The arrest of Jeremiah by Irijah, son of Shelemiah, serves as a reminder of the cost of faithfulness to God's word and the resistance it can provoke from those who oppose it.

Genealogical Note:

Shelemiah is also noted as the son of Hananiah, adding another layer to his genealogical background. While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Shelemiah's life or character, his mention in the lineage of Irijah connects him to the broader narrative of Judah's history during a critical period of prophetic activity and national crisis.Jeremiah 37:13
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 Jeremiah the prophet, saying, You fall away to the Chaldeans.
Nave's Topical Index

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus