Shaphan
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Shaphan in the Bible?
Shaphan was a scribe and official under King Josiah who received the Book of the Law from the high priest Hilkiah, read it to the king, and was the father of Ahikam, Elasah, and Gemariah.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Shaphan's role clarifies the administrative process behind the discovery of the Book of the Law and highlights the involvement of the royal bureaucracy in the religious reforms attributed to King Josiah.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Shaphan reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shaphan in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shaphan clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Shaphan." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shaphan/