Topical Encyclopedia Name and Meaning: Jeconias, also known as Jehoiachin, is a biblical figure whose name means "Yahweh will establish." He is also referred to as Coniah in some passages. The name Jeconias is derived from the Hebrew "Yekhonyah," which emphasizes the divine promise of establishment and continuity.Biblical References: Jeconias is mentioned in several books of the Bible, including 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, and Matthew. His account is primarily found in 2 Kings 24:6-17, 2 Chronicles 36:8-10, and Jeremiah 22:24-30. He is also listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:11-12. Historical Context: Jeconias was the son of Jehoiakim and the grandson of Josiah, king of Judah. He ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen and reigned for a brief period of three months and ten days around 598/597 BC. His reign occurred during a tumultuous time when the Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar II, was expanding its influence over the region. Reign and Captivity: Jeconias' reign was marked by political instability and the looming threat of Babylonian domination. According to 2 Kings 24:9 , "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his father had done." His short reign ended when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, leading to Jeconias' surrender and subsequent deportation to Babylon along with his family, officials, and many of the elite of Judah. This event marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile. Prophetic Significance: The prophet Jeremiah delivered a significant prophecy concerning Jeconias, declaring that none of his descendants would prosper on the throne of David (Jeremiah 22:30): "This is what the LORD says: 'Record this man as childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime. None of his descendants will succeed in sitting on the throne of David or ruling again in Judah.'" This prophecy underscored the divine judgment on Jeconias' lineage due to the disobedience and idolatry that characterized his reign and that of his predecessors. Later Life and Legacy: Despite the initial harshness of his captivity, Jeconias' circumstances improved later in life. After Nebuchadnezzar's death, his successor, Evil-Merodach, released Jeconias from prison and treated him with favor, allowing him to dine regularly at the king's table (2 Kings 25:27-30). This act of clemency is seen as a glimmer of hope and a sign of God's enduring mercy, even amidst judgment. Genealogical Importance: Jeconias holds a significant place in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Despite the curse pronounced by Jeremiah, Jeconias is included in the lineage of Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, highlighting the fulfillment of God's promises through unexpected and redemptive means. This inclusion demonstrates the overarching theme of grace and redemption that permeates the biblical narrative. Jeconias' life and legacy serve as a testament to the complexities of divine justice and mercy, illustrating the consequences of disobedience while also pointing to the hope of restoration and fulfillment of God's promises through the line of David. Smith's Bible Dictionary Jeconiasthe Greek form of Jeconiah, an altered form of Jehoiachin. [JEHOIACHIN] International Standard Bible Encyclopedia JECONIASjek-o-ni-as (Iechonias): Library Letter ccxxxvi. To the Same Amphilochius. On Daniel. I. Preface by the Most Holy Hippolytus, (Bishop) of ... Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus Christ Thesaurus Jeconias... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JECONIAS. jek-o-ni-as (Iechonias): (1) One of the chiliarchs who made great gifts of sheep and calves ... /j/jeconias.htm - 6k Jedaiah (13 Occurrences) Jeconi'ah (7 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |