Bible Dictionaries
Irijah

Holman Bible Dictionary

(i ri' juh) Personal name meaning, “Yah sees.” Army captain who accused Jeremiah of treason and turned him over to the authorities for punishment (Jeremiah 37:13 ) about 586 B.C. Apparently Jeremiah was going to inspect the field he had bought in Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:9 ). Since he had been preaching about ultimate victory for Babylon over Jerusalem, Irijah thought Jeremiah was trying to escape Jerusalem and join the Babylonian army, then retreating from Jerusalem. The prophet's mission included suffering. Loyalty to God did not always mean loyalty to the government or protection from the government. Both Irijah and Jeremiah thought they were serving God. History proved Jeremiah correct.