{
  "id": "dict_003944",
  "term": "Nehelamite",
  "slug": "nehelamite",
  "letter": "N",
  "entry_type": "biblical_designation",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "A designation attached to Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29:24, 31–32. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it likely identifies him by origin, clan, or family association rather than by theology.",
  "simple_one_line": "A biblical designation used for Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29.",
  "tooltip_text": "Used of Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29; the term’s exact meaning is uncertain.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Shemaiah",
    "Jeremiah 29",
    "False Prophet"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Prophet",
    "Exile",
    "Babylonian Exile"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "The term Nehelamite is a biblical designation used of Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29. Scripture does not explain the label, but in context it identifies the man who opposed Jeremiah and is judged as a false prophet.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A label attached to Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29; its precise sense is unclear.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Appears in Jeremiah 29:24, 31–32",
    "Refers to Shemaiah",
    "Likely a geographic, clan, or family designation",
    "The exact meaning is not stated in Scripture"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "“Nehelamite” appears in Jeremiah 29 as a designation attached to Shemaiah, who opposed Jeremiah’s message to the exiles. The term probably identifies his origin or family association, but Scripture does not define it. Its significance lies mainly in the narrative setting, not in doctrinal teaching.",
  "description_academic_full": "“Nehelamite” is the designation used of Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29:24, 31, and 32. In the chapter’s historical context, Shemaiah sends correspondence against Jeremiah’s prophetic word and is condemned by the Lord. The label itself is not explained by the text and is commonly understood as a form of geographic, clan, or family identification. Because its exact meaning is uncertain, the term should be treated as a biblical proper designation rather than as a theological concept with fixed doctrinal content.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Jeremiah 29 addresses the exiles in Babylon and warns them against false reassurance. Shemaiah the Nehelamite stands as an example of opposition to God’s true word, and the passage emphasizes his rebellion and judgment rather than the etymology of the label.",
  "background_historical_context": "The setting is the Babylonian exile, when competing prophetic voices addressed the displaced community. In that environment, personal or regional identifiers were commonly used to distinguish individuals, especially when several people might share the same name.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "In the ancient Near Eastern and biblical world, names and attached designations often indicated place of origin, family line, clan, or association. The text does not specify which kind of label “Nehelamite” is, so any more exact explanation remains tentative.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Jeremiah 29:24",
    "Jeremiah 29:31–32"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Jeremiah 29:1–23"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The term reflects a Hebrew designation attached to Shemaiah. Its etymology and precise referent are uncertain, so translations usually preserve it as a transliterated label.",
  "theological_significance": "The term itself carries little theological content. Its main significance is contextual: it identifies Shemaiah, whose words and actions are rejected as contrary to the Lord’s message through Jeremiah.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "This is a case where the label matters less than the narrative function. The Bible often uses identifying designations that do not require full etymological certainty for the reader to understand the passage.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not build doctrine or historical reconstructions on the term’s exact meaning. The safest reading is that it identifies Shemaiah in some way, while the passage’s central concern remains his false prophecy and God’s judgment.",
  "major_views_note": "Interpreters generally agree that the designation is identificational, but they differ on whether it refers to a place, family line, or other association. Scripture does not settle the question.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry should not be treated as a doctrine-bearing term. It is a biblical identifier, not a theological category.",
  "practical_significance": "It reminds readers to focus on the substance of a biblical passage rather than forcing certainty where Scripture has not given it. In Jeremiah 29, the important issue is fidelity to God’s word.",
  "meta_description": "Nehelamite is the uncertain biblical designation used of Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/nehelamite/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/nehelamite.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}