"And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Shaphan Meaning in the Bible
Shaphan
boy
Shaphan means "Rock badger; Hyrax; Hidden one", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Shaphan appears in the King James Bible, and 2 Kings 22:10 is the passage most often tied to it. Shaphan — the scribe who read God's Word to the king — launched a national reformation through the simple act of faithful reading. His family then protected prophets for generations, proving that one person's faithfulness multiplies across time.
Is Shaphan in the Bible?
Yes — Shaphan appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Kings 22:10.
Pronunciation:/SHAY-fan/
OriginHebrew
MeaningRock badger; Hyrax; Hidden one
What does Shaphan mean?
Shaphan is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Rock badger; Hyrax; Hidden one". Shaphan means "rock badger" or "hyrax" in Hebrew — the small, rabbit-like creature referenced in Proverbs 30:26 as one of four things "little upon the earth, but exceeding wise." Shaphan the person was the royal scribe during King…
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Editor’s reflection
The scribe who read the rediscovered law aloud to a king — and started a reformation.
Shaphan (Hebrew שָׁפָן) is the Hebrew word for the rock badger or coney, the small hill-dwelling animal of Proverbs 30:26 — 'the conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.' As with Huldah the 'weasel' and Deborah the 'bee', the animal names of Scripture are matter-of-fact rather than flattering.
Shaphan is the scribe — effectively secretary of state — under King Josiah. When Hilkiah the high priest finds the book of the law during temple repairs, he hands it to Shaphan, who reads it himself and then takes it to the king: 'And Shaphan read it before the king' (2 Kings 22:10). Josiah tears his clothes at what he hears, and the reformation of Judah follows from that reading.
His family becomes one of the most important in the last years of the kingdom. His son Ahikam protects Jeremiah from being put to death by the mob (Jeremiah 26:24). His grandson Gedaliah is appointed governor after the fall of Jerusalem. Another son, Elasah, carries Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Babylon. Four generations of one scribal household stand behind the preservation of the prophetic word.
Shaphan is not used as a modern given name and probably never will be, but he is worth knowing as one of Scripture's clearest pictures of the indispensable official: not the king, not the prophet, the man who read the text out loud and told the truth about it.
“And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.”
What does Shaphan mean in the Bible?
Shaphan means "Rock badger; Hyrax; Hidden one" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Shaphan means "rock badger" or "hyrax" in Hebrew — the small, rabbit-like creature referenced in Proverbs 30:26 as one of four things "little upon the earth, but exceeding wise." Shaphan the person was the royal scribe during King Josiah's reign who served as the crucial intermediary in the discovery and reading of the lost Book of the Law.
When the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law in the temple, he gave it to Shaphan. Shaphan first read it himself, then read it aloud to King Josiah. The text notes the precise chain of transmission: found by Hilkiah, delivered to Shaphan, read to the king. Each link was essential.
Josiah's reaction upon hearing the words was dramatic — he tore his clothes in grief. Shaphan was then sent as part of the delegation to consult the prophetess Huldah, who authenticated the book and prophesied both judgment and mercy.
Shaphan's family proved remarkably faithful. His sons Ahikam, Elasah, and Gemariah all served as protectors of Jeremiah during the prophet's persecutions. His grandson Gedaliah was appointed governor after Jerusalem's fall. The "house of Shaphan" became a dynasty of faithful scribes and administrators.
Where does Shaphan appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Shaphan is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 2 Kings 22:10. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death."
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Which books of the Bible mention Shaphan?
Shaphan is mentioned across 4 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Shaphan?
Shaphan — the scribe who read God's Word to the king — launched a national reformation through the simple act of faithful reading. His family then protected prophets for generations, proving that one person's faithfulness multiplies across time.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Shaphan:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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What names are related to Shaphan?
Names like Shaphan
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Rock badger; Hyrax; Hidden one" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Shaphan
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Shaphan
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Shaphan name meaning: frequently asked questions
Shaphan was the royal scribe under King Josiah. When the book of the law was discovered during temple repairs, Shaphan read it before the king (2 Kings 22:10), prompting Josiah's reformation. His sons and grandson — Ahikam, Elasah and Gedaliah — appear repeatedly in Jeremiah. The name is Hebrew for rock badger or coney.
Yes — Shaphan appears in the King James Bible, including 2 Kings 22:10.
Shaphan means "Rock badger; Hyrax; Hidden one." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in 2 Kings 22:10, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Shaphan
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Shaphan?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Shaphan?
You can read every verse where Shaphan appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.