Shallum
“Retribution or recompense”
Summary
A Hebrew name meaning 'retribution,' borne by at least twelve individuals in the Old Testament, most notably the fifteenth king of Israel who reigned for only one month.
☩King of Israel
The most prominent Shallum was the fifteenth king of Israel, son of Jabesh. In 769 BC, he conspired against and killed Zechariah, the last king of Jehu's dynasty, fulfilling the prophecy that Jehu's house would end in the fourth generation. His public assassination of Zechariah suggests popular support for the coup. However, Shallum reigned only one month before being killed by Menahem, who seized the throne—illustrating the principle that those who take the sword perish by it.
☩Husband of Huldah
Another notable Shallum was the husband of Huldah the prophetess during King Josiah's reign. He served as keeper of the priestly wardrobe in the temple. He may have been the same person as Jeremiah's uncle mentioned in Jeremiah 32:7.
☩King Jehoahaz of Judah
Shallum was also the birth name of Josiah's son who became king of Judah under the throne name Jehoahaz II. Though listed fourth among Josiah's sons in Chronicles, comparison of ages indicates he was actually the third son. He reigned only three months before being deposed by Pharaoh Necho and taken to Egypt, where he died.
☩Other Individuals
The name Shallum appears throughout Israel's history: a descendant of Simeon and ancestor of a significant clan; a son of Naphtali also called Shillem; a high priest in the line of Zadok and ancestor of Ezra; a chief porter of the sanctuary in David's time (also called Meshelemiah and Meshullam); the father of the Ephraimite leader Jehizkiah; and a ruler of Jerusalem who, remarkably, rebuilt the city walls with the help of his daughters.
Related Verses27 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shallum," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shallum (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Shallum," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Shallum," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).