Shallum (Father of Hilkiah)
Who was Shallum (Father of Hilkiah) in the Bible?
An uncle of the prophet Jeremiah and a landowner in the territory of Benjamin during the Divided Monarchy.
Shallum was a Judean living during the late seventh century BC, during the turbulent final years of the Divided Monarchy. He is specifically identified in the biblical record as the father of Hilkiah and the uncle of the prophet Jeremiah. While the biblical narrative does not detail his personal life or professional career, he is a crucial link in a genealogical chain that facilitates a significant prophetic sign performed by Jeremiah.
His primary role in the scriptural record is established through his son, Hanamel, who approached Jeremiah regarding a land transaction. This interaction took place while Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonians, making the mention of Shallum's family and their ancestral land in Anathoth a vital element of the Judean social and legal structure during the reign of King Zedekiah.
Background and Family
Shallum lived during the era of the Divided Monarchy, specifically the final decades of the Kingdom of Judah. He is situated within a priestly or land-owning context, given his residence or ancestral ties to Anathoth, a city traditionally assigned to the Levites (Joshua 21:18). According to Jeremiah 32:7, Shallum was the brother of Jeremiah’s father (Hilkiah), making him the prophet's uncle. He was also the father of at least two sons: Hilkiah (not to be confused with the High Priest of the same name or Jeremiah's father) and Hanamel.
Major Life Events
While the Bible does not record the specific deeds of Shallum, his presence is felt through his son Hanamel's actions. In approximately 588–587 BC, during the tenth year of King Zedekiah, the Babylonian army was besieging Jerusalem. During this time of extreme crisis, Shallum’s son Hanamel approached Jeremiah in the court of the guard. Hanamel offered Jeremiah the opportunity to purchase a field in Anathoth, asserting that the prophet held the right of redemption and inheritance.
"Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’" (Jeremiah 32:7)
This interaction presupposes that Shallum was either deceased or had passed the management of family estates to his son by this time. The transaction served as a powerful symbolic act, illustrating God's promise that despite the imminent destruction, houses and fields would once again be bought in the land of Judah.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Shallum occupies a central position in a notable family tree. He was the brother of Hilkiah (the father of Jeremiah), the father of Hanamel, and the father of a man also named Hilkiah. His familial connections link him directly to the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah. Through these relationships, Shallum is portrayed as part of a family that adhered to the Mosaic laws regarding the "Goel" or kinsman-redeemer, ensuring that property remained within the tribal and family lines even in the face of national catastrophe.
Spiritual Significance
The mention of Shallum is significant because it grounds the prophetic sign of the purchase of the field in historical and genealogical reality. By identifying Hanamel as the "son of your uncle Shallum," the text emphasizes the legality of the transaction under the laws found in Leviticus 25. Shallum represents the generation that maintained the ancestral holdings in Anathoth, preserving the heritage that allowed Jeremiah to demonstrate faith in Israel’s future restoration.
Shallum's significance lies in his role as a patriarch within a family that facilitated one of Jeremiah's most famous symbolic acts: the purchase of the field at Anathoth. His identification establishes the legal right of redemption (Goel) which Jeremiah exercised, proving that the prophet was a legitimate kinsman who could claim the land.
Theologically, Shallum serves as a bridge between the old order of land ownership and the promised restoration. His existence provides the necessary genealogical framework for a message of hope—that life and commerce would return to Judah after the Babylonian exile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Shallum's most famous relative?
His most famous relative was his nephew, the prophet Jeremiah.
What role did Shallum play in the book of Jeremiah?
He is mentioned to identify his son, Hanamel, who sold a field to Jeremiah as a sign of God's promise of restoration.
Where did Shallum's family own land?
The family owned property in Anathoth, a city in the territory of Benjamin.
Is this the same Shallum who was a king of Judah?
No, this Shallum was a private citizen and an uncle of the prophet Jeremiah, not the king also known as Jehoahaz.
Family & Relationships
Shallum (Father of Hilkiah)This pageChildren
Shallum, Uncle of JeremiahSonJeremiah 32:7Inferred
No verse states this relationship in kinship terms; Shallum and Shallum appear together in the cited verse.Evidence: Jeremiah 32:7
Connected Figures
Family
Son · Jeremiah 32:7
Shallum was the paternal uncle of the prophet Jeremiah and the father of Hanamel during the final years of the Divided Monarchy.
Divided MonarchyFirst: Jeremiah 32:71 versesMember of a priestly familyBenjamin
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Jeremiah1
Scripture References
All 1 indexed verse, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
Jeremiah · 1
- Jeremiah 32:7
Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum, is coming to you to say, ‘Buy for yourself my field in Anathoth, for you have the right of redemption to buy it.’