Shaphan

Shaphan son of Azaliah was the royal scribe (secretary) under King Josiah of Judah who played a central role in the great reform of 621 B.C. When the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law in the temple during renovation work, he gave it to Shaphan, who read it and then read it before the king (2 Kgs. 22:3–14). Josiah's response — tearing his robes in grief at hearing the law's pronouncements — initiated Josiah's sweeping reformation of worship throughout Judah. Shaphan was sent with a delegation to inquire of the prophetess Huldah. His family became a dynasty of influence: his son Ahikam protected Jeremiah from death (Jer. 26:24), his son Gemariah provided a room from which Baruch read Jeremiah's scroll (Jer. 36:10), and his grandson Gedaliah was appointed governor of Judah after Jerusalem's fall (Jer. 40:5).