Who was Pashhur in the Bible?

Man living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Pashhur is a biblical figure mentioned in Jeremiah 38:1. In a biblical perspective, Pashhur was a man living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. The Divided Monarchy refers to the period after the reign of King Solomon when the kingdom of Israel split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.

Pashhur is specifically identified in Jeremiah 38:1a. He is also noted as the father of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 38:1b). In the Bible, names often carry significant meanings or implications. The name Pashhur means freedom or splendor in Hebrew (Strong’s Concordance H6583). This may suggest aspects of his character or role in the biblical narrative.

Gedaliah, the son of Pashhur, is also mentioned in the same verse. Gedaliah’s name means Yahweh is great or Yahweh is my greatness in Hebrew (Strong’s Concordance H1436). This name reflects a focus on the greatness and sovereignty of God, which is a common theme in biblical theology.

The mention of Pashhur and Gedaliah in Jeremiah 38:1 indicates their historical presence during a tumultuous period in Israel’s history. The prophet Jeremiah was active during this time, warning the people of Judah about the impending judgment due to their disobedience to God. Pashhur and Gedaliah may have played roles in the political or religious landscape of that era, although the biblical text does not provide extensive details about them.

In summary, Pashhur and Gedaliah were individuals living during the Divided Monarchy period, with Pashhur being the father of Gedaliah. Their names carry meanings that can be reflective of their character or the overarching themes of God’s sovereignty and freedom. While their specific roles are not extensively detailed in the biblical text, their mention in Jeremiah provides a glimpse into the historical context of their time.