Gedali'ah. (God is my greatness). Son of Ahikam, (Jeremiah's protector, Jeremiah 26:24, and grandson of Shaphan, the secretary of King Josiah. After the destruction of the Temple, B.C. 588, Nebuchadnezzar departed from Judea, leaving Gedaliah with a Chaldean guard, Jeremiah 40:5, at Mizpah to govern the vinedressers and husbandmen, Jeremiah 52:16, who were exempted from captivity. Jeremiah jointed Gedaliah; and Mizpah became the resort of Jews, from various quarters. Jeremiah 40:6; Jeremiah 40:11. He was murdered by Ishmae, l two months after his appointment.