Lexical Summary Shephatyah or Shephatyahu: Shephatiah Original Word: שְׁפַטְיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shephatiah Or Shphatyahuw {shef-at-yaw'-hoo}; from shaphat and Yahh; Jah has judged; Shephatjah, the name of ten Israelites -- Shephatiah. see HEBREW shaphat see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shaphat and Yah Definition "Yah has judged," the name of a number of Isr. NASB Translation Shephatiah (13). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁפַטְיָה(וּׅ proper name, masculine (׳י judged, vindicated); — usu, Σαφατια(ς): 1 יָה-: a. fifth son of David 2 Samuel 3:4 = 1 Chronicles 3:3 (Σαβατεια, A Σαφαθια, ᵐ5L Σαφατιας). b. contemporary of Jeremiah Jeremiah 38:1 (B Σαφανιας). c. man of Judah Nehemiah 11:4. d. chiefs of families of restoration:-1 Ezra 2:4 = Nehemiah 7:9; Ezra 8:8; -2 Ezra 2:57 = e. Benjamite 1 Chronicles 9:8. 2 יָהוּ-: a. son of Jehosh.2Chronicles 21:2. b. hero of David 1 Chronicles 12:5. c. Simeonite 1 Chronicles 27:16. Topical Lexicon Name and DistributionShephatiah appears thirteen times across eight Old Testament books and refers to at least eight distinct men and one family group. The name itself highlights the theme of divine judgment, and every occurrence sits naturally within narratives that underscore the Lord’s righteous oversight of His people—whether in royal households, military rosters, tribal administration, post-exilic registration, or prophetic confrontation. Shephatiah in the House of David (2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 3:3) Shephatiah, fifth son of King David and Abital, was born in Hebron during David’s early reign. Though he never surfaces in later succession debates, the Chronicler keeps his name before the returning exiles to affirm the continuity of the Davidic line: “the fifth was Shephatiah, by Abital” (1 Chronicles 3:3). His inclusion reminds readers that none of David’s sons is insignificant in the unfolding messianic promise—even those who leave no recorded deeds. Men of Valor and Tribal Command (1 Chronicles 12:6; 1 Chronicles 27:16) 1. Among the Benjamites who defected to David at Ziklag is “Shephatiah the Haruphite” (1 Chronicles 12:6). His willingness to risk life and reputation declares that loyalty to the Lord’s anointed outweighs tribal tradition. 2. Years later, another Shephatiah—“the son of Maacah”—is listed as commander over the tribe of Simeon in David’s standing army courses (1 Chronicles 27:16). His appointment illustrates the administrative breadth of David’s kingdom and God-given order within Israel’s tribes. Both men exemplify courageous, organized service that supports God’s ordained monarchy and foreshadows the New Testament call to “serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2). Royal Brothers under Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 21:2) King Jehoshaphat named four younger sons—including Shephatiah—when he fortified the realm before his death. Tragically, their elder brother Jehoram murdered them after ascending the throne. The episode underlines the danger of coveting power and the certainty that God’s justice will prevail; Jehoram’s subsequent calamities fulfill covenant warnings (2 Chronicles 21:12-19). The Shephatiah Clans in the Return from Exile (Ezra 2:4; Nehemiah 7:9; Ezra 8:8) 1. “The sons of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two” (Ezra 2:4) formed part of the first wave of returning exiles under Zerubbabel. The steady presence of this family across successive migrations depicts covenant faithfulness spanning generations. Their numbers may be modest, yet their willingness to leave Babylon for a ruined Jerusalem mirrors Abrahamic obedience and encourages believers to value spiritual inheritance over worldly security. Temple Servants and Genealogical Ambiguity (Ezra 2:57; Nehemiah 7:59) A separate notation—“the descendants of Shephatiah” among Solomon’s servants—appears in both lists. Whether this represents the same clan or another bearing the name, the dual record attests that every servant class had a place in the restoration. God remembers even those with obscured lineage, affirming the breadth of His redemptive plan. Citizens of the Restored Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:4) In the repopulation of Jerusalem, “Shephatiah son of Mahalalel, one of the sons of Perez,” is singled out. As Perezites, his family traces back to Judah, anchoring the city’s renewed population in the Messianic tribe and verifying prophecy that “out of you, Bethlehem Ephrathah… from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler over Israel” (Micah 5:2). This Shephatiah safeguards the tribal purity anticipatory of Messiah. Opposition to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:1-4) The last biblical Shephatiah stands in stark contrast. “Shephatiah son of Mattan” joins three other officials in demanding Jeremiah’s death for proclaiming surrender to Babylon. Although they temporarily succeed in casting the prophet into a cistern, divine providence rescues Jeremiah, and the city’s downfall vindicates his message. Shephatiah thus becomes a cautionary emblem of rejecting divine word: resisting revealed truth invites inevitable judgment. Theological and Ministerial Themes Judgment and Mercy: The very name Shephatiah holds the tension of righteous judgment. From David’s son to Jeremiah’s adversary, each occurrence exposes how individuals and families either submit to or resist the Judge of all the earth. Covenant Continuity: Whether in royal genealogy, military service, or post-exilic rosters, Shephatiah-bearers evidence the unbroken thread of God’s covenant purposes. Their scattered appearances stitch together epochs of Israel’s story, showing that the Lord “remembers His covenant forever” (Psalm 105:8). Faithful Service Versus Hostile Opposition: The loyal Shephatiah at Ziklag and the hostile Shephatiah in Jerusalem illustrate Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” The choice between supporting God’s work or hindering it remains stark. Practical Applications for Believers 1. Obscure faithfulness counts. Many Shephatiahs operate quietly, yet Scripture records them eternally. Christological Reflection Every righteous Shephatiah anticipates the perfect “Son of David” who both wields and endures judgment. Jesus Christ, judged in the place of sinners and now appointed Judge of the living and the dead, embodies the fullest meaning of the name. Thus, the scattered references to Shephatiah ultimately direct attention to the One in whom God’s justice and mercy meet. Forms and Transliterations וּשְׁפַטְיָ֑הוּ וּשְׁפַטְיָ֖הוּ ושפטיהו שְׁפַטְיָ֔ה שְׁפַטְיָ֖ה שְׁפַטְיָ֖הוּ שְׁפַטְיָ֣ה שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה שפטיה שפטיהו šə·p̄aṭ·yā·hū šə·p̄aṭ·yāh šəp̄aṭyāh šəp̄aṭyāhū shefatYah shefatYahu ū·šə·p̄aṭ·yā·hū ūšəp̄aṭyāhū ushefatYahuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 3:4 HEB: חַגִּ֑ית וְהַחֲמִישִׁ֖י שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה בֶן־ אֲבִיטָֽל׃ NAS: and the fifth, Shephatiah the son KJV: and the fifth, Shephatiah the son INT: of Haggith and the fifth Shephatiah the son of Abital 1 Chronicles 3:3 1 Chronicles 9:8 1 Chronicles 12:6 1 Chronicles 27:16 2 Chronicles 21:2 Ezra 2:4 Ezra 2:57 Ezra 8:8 Nehemiah 7:9 Nehemiah 7:59 Nehemiah 11:4 Jeremiah 38:1 13 Occurrences |
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