Shephatiah, the son of Mattan, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah. His role is primarily noted during the tumultuous period leading up to the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Shephatiah is recognized as one of the officials in the court of King Zedekiah of Judah.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to Shephatiah son of Mattan is found in Jeremiah 38:1-6. In this passage, Shephatiah is identified as one of the officials who opposed the prophet Jeremiah. The text states:

"Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malchijah heard the words that Jeremiah was speaking to all the people: 'This is what the LORD says: Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out to the Chaldeans will live. He will retain his life like a spoil of war, and he will live.'"

Shephatiah, along with the other officials, was deeply disturbed by Jeremiah's message, which they perceived as demoralizing to the people and the soldiers defending Jerusalem. They accused Jeremiah of weakening the resolve of the remaining inhabitants and sought to silence him. Consequently, they approached King Zedekiah, urging him to take action against Jeremiah. The king, yielding to their pressure, allowed them to do as they wished with the prophet.

The officials, including Shephatiah, took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah, which was located in the courtyard of the guard. The cistern had no water, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into it. This act demonstrated the extent of their opposition to Jeremiah's prophetic ministry and their determination to suppress his message.

Historical and Theological Context:

Shephatiah's actions must be understood within the broader context of the political and spiritual climate of Judah at the time. The kingdom was under severe threat from the Babylonian Empire, and the leadership was divided on how to respond. Jeremiah's prophecies, which called for submission to Babylon as a means of survival, were seen as treasonous by many of the ruling class, including Shephatiah.

From a theological perspective, Shephatiah's opposition to Jeremiah can be viewed as resistance to the divine message delivered through the prophet. The narrative highlights the tension between human political calculations and divine revelation. Shephatiah and his fellow officials prioritized their understanding of national security over the prophetic word, illustrating a common biblical theme of human resistance to God's plans.

Legacy:

Shephatiah son of Mattan is remembered as a figure who, in his opposition to Jeremiah, represents the broader rejection of prophetic warnings by the leadership of Judah. His actions contributed to the tragic events that unfolded with the eventual destruction of Jerusalem. The account serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of ignoring divine guidance and the perils of placing political expediency above spiritual truth.