Son of Azaliah and perhaps father of Ahikam, Gemariah, Elasah, and Jaazaniah: he was scribe or secretary to king Josiah. He presented to the king the book of the law that had been found in the temple (2 Kings 22:3-14; 2 Kings 25:22; 2 Chron. 34:8-20; Jer. 26:24; Jer. 29:3; Jer. 36:10-12; Jer. 39:14; Jer. 40:5-11; Jer. 41:2; Jer. 43:6; Ezek. 8:11).