Gedaliah

Gedaliah ( or ; Gəḏalyyā) was a biblical character who was reportedly a governor of Yehud province. He was according to the Bible also the son of Ahikam, who saved prophet Jeremiah. Names Gedaliah ( or ; Gəḏalyyā or Gəḏalyyāhū; also written Gedalia, Gedallah, Gedalya, or Gedalyah) means "Jah has become Great". Background Gedaliah was the son of Ahikam (who saved the life of the prophet Jeremiah) and the grandson of Shaphan (who is mentioned in relation to the discovery of the scroll of Teaching that some scholars identify as the core of the book of Deuteronomy). Governorship Gedaliah was according to the narratives in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Jeremiah and Second Book of Kings, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon as governor of Yehud province, which was formed after the defeat of the Kingdom of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem, in a part of the territory that previously formed the kingdom. He was supported by a Chaldean guard stationed at Mizpah. On hearing of the appointment, the Jews that had taken refuge in surrounding countries returned to Judah.