Matthanias, also known as Mattaniah, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament. He is primarily recognized as the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. His reign and actions are documented in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Lineage and Ascension to the Throne

Matthanias was the son of Josiah, one of the most righteous kings of Judah, and the brother of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. His original name, Mattaniah, meaning "Gift of Yahweh," was changed to Zedekiah by Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, when he was placed on the throne as a puppet king. This renaming signified Nebuchadnezzar's authority over him and Judah. The Berean Standard Bible records this event in 2 Kings 24:17: "Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah."

Reign and Downfall

Matthanias, or Zedekiah, reigned from approximately 597 to 586 BC. His rule was marked by political instability and spiritual decline. Despite being installed by Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah eventually rebelled against Babylonian control, influenced by nationalistic pressures and false prophets who assured him of Judah's deliverance. This rebellion led to the siege of Jerusalem by Babylonian forces.

The prophet Jeremiah, a contemporary of Matthanias, repeatedly warned him against rebellion and urged submission to Babylon as God's will for Judah's punishment and eventual restoration. However, Zedekiah's failure to heed these warnings resulted in catastrophic consequences for Judah. The Berean Standard Bible in 2 Chronicles 36:12-13 states: "He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him take an oath by God."

The Fall of Jerusalem

In 586 BC, after a prolonged siege, Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. The city was destroyed, the temple was burned, and the people were taken into exile. Zedekiah attempted to flee but was captured near Jericho. His sons were killed before his eyes, and then he was blinded and taken in chains to Babylon, as recorded in 2 Kings 25:7: "Then they put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon."

Legacy

Matthanias' reign is often viewed as a tragic end to the Davidic line of kings in Judah, leading to the Babylonian exile. His account serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands and the importance of heeding prophetic warnings. Despite his failures, the hope of restoration and the continuation of David's line is later fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, who is recognized as the ultimate King and Messiah.Matthanias

same as Mattaniah

MATTHANIAS

mat-tha-ni'-as (Codex Alexandrinus, Matthanias, Codex Vaticanus, Matan):

(1) One of those who put away their "strange wives" (1 Esdras 9:27) equals "Mattaniah" of Ezra 10:26.

(2) the King James Version "Mathanias" (1 Esdras 9:31) equals "Mattaniah" of Ezra 10:30. Codex Vaticanus, followed by Swete, reads Beskaspasmus.

Matthanias
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MATTHANIAS. mat-tha-ni'-as (Codex
Alexandrinus, Matthanias, Codex Vaticanus, Matan): (1) One of ...
/m/matthanias.htm - 6k

Mattaniah (16 Occurrences)
... (4-7) Four others who had foreign wives, (a) the Matthanias of 1 Esdras 9:27 (Ezra
10:26); (b) the Othonias of 1 Esdras 9:28 (Ezra 10:27); (c) the Matthanias...
/m/mattaniah.htm - 14k

Matthat (2 Occurrences)

/m/matthat.htm - 7k

Matthan (1 Occurrence)

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Mathanias
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MATHANIAS. math-a-ni'-as: the
King James Version in 1 Esdras 9:31. See MATTHANIAS. ...
/m/mathanias.htm - 6k

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