And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him into Egypt.

JEREMIAH 26:22KJV
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Jeremiah 26:22 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 26:22 mean?

Jeremiah 26:22 describes how King Jehoiakim sent a group of men, led by Elnathan son of Achbor, into Egypt. The verse highlights the king’s active effort to reach someone or accomplish something in Egypt by dispatching trusted men on this mission.

In the context of Jeremiah, this action takes place during a tense time when Jeremiah’s prophecies were unpopular with the authorities. The king’s decision to send men to Egypt follows after someone fled there, and Jehoiakim wanted him brought back. The verse shows the king’s determination and the involvement of specific officials, giving a glimpse into the political maneuvers of Judah’s leadership at that time.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 26:22

  • יְהוֹיָקִים (Yehoiakim): This is the name of the king of Judah, whose actions drive the events in this verse. His authority and decisions shape the narrative here.
  • שָׁלַח (shalach): This word means "sent." It emphasizes that the king is not acting passively; he is taking deliberate action by commissioning men for a specific task.
  • אֶלְנָתָן (Elnathan): This is the name of the official leading the mission. Naming him and his father, עַכְבּוֹר (Achbor), shows the involvement of prominent figures, not just anonymous messengers.
  • מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim): This is the Hebrew word for Egypt. Egypt was a significant neighboring nation, and traveling there for political reasons was a major step, underlining the seriousness of the mission.

Why Jeremiah 26:22 matters

  • Jeremiah 26:22 clarifies that Jehoiakim was willing to use his authority to pursue someone even across national borders, showing the lengths he would go to maintain control.
  • The verse connects to the wider story of Jeremiah’s conflict with the authorities, highlighting the risks faced by those who opposed the king or his policies.
  • By naming Elnathan and Achbor, the verse grounds the story in real historical figures, reminding readers that these were actual events involving known leaders, not just anonymous actors.

Where else these words appear

“Elnathan” Hebrew H494 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
  • Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.
  • Jeremiah 36:12 Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

“Achbor” Hebrew H5907 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 36:38 And Saul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 22:12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,
  • 1 Chronicles 1:49 And when Shaul was dead, Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

“Jehoiakim” Hebrew H3079 · used in 37 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:34 And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.
  • Jeremiah 1:3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.
  • Jeremiah 36:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,