Topical Encyclopedia Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah or Coniah, was the nineteenth king of the Kingdom of Judah and the son of King Jehoiakim. His reign is noted for its brevity and the significant events that transpired during his time as king. Jehoiachin ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen, following the death of his father, Jehoiakim, and reigned for a mere three months before being deposed by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar II.Reign and Deposition Jehoiachin's reign began in a period of political instability and external threat. The Kingdom of Judah was under the shadow of the Babylonian Empire, which had already exerted its influence over the region. According to 2 Kings 24:8-9 , "Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his father had done." During his short reign, Jehoiachin faced the formidable power of Nebuchadnezzar, who besieged Jerusalem. The siege culminated in Jehoiachin's surrender, as recorded in 2 Kings 24:12 : "Then Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his officials, and his eunuchs went out to the king of Babylon. And the king of Babylon took him captive in the eighth year of his reign." Exile and Legacy Jehoiachin's surrender marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile for the people of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin, along with his family, officials, and many of the leading citizens of Jerusalem, into captivity in Babylon. This event is a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, as it led to the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. Despite his captivity, Jehoiachin's account did not end in despair. After thirty-seven years in exile, he was released from prison by Evil-Merodach, the successor of Nebuchadnezzar. 2 Kings 25:27-30 recounts this act of clemency: "In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. He spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life. And the king provided Jehoiachin a daily portion for the rest of his life." Theological Significance Jehoiachin's life and reign hold theological significance, particularly in the context of the Davidic covenant and messianic expectations. Despite his failures and the judgment that came upon Judah during his reign, Jehoiachin's lineage continued to be of importance. The genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew includes Jehoiachin (referred to as Jeconiah), highlighting the continuation of the Davidic line through the Babylonian Exile (Matthew 1:11-12). Jehoiachin's account serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even amidst judgment and exile. His eventual release from captivity symbolizes hope and restoration, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 24:6-8So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 36:8,9 Library From Megiddo to Carchemish, 608-605. Jeremiah Questions. The Greater Prophets. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Appendices Resources Who was King Jehoiakim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Mordecai in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the curse of Jeconiah? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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