Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah or Coniah, was the nineteenth king of Judah and reigned for a brief period of three months and ten days around 598/597 BC. He was the son of Jehoiakim and Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. His reign is noted for its brevity and the significant events that transpired during this time, particularly the invasion by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon.

Background and Reign

Jehoiachin ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen following the death of his father, Jehoiakim. His reign occurred during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, marked by the rising power of Babylon and the decline of Assyrian influence. The geopolitical landscape was fraught with tension as Babylon sought to expand its dominion over the region.

The biblical account of Jehoiachin's reign is found in 2 Kings 24:8-17 and 2 Chronicles 36:9-10. The Berean Standard Bible states in 2 Kings 24:8, "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 of Jerusalem."

Nebuchadnezzar's Invasion

During Jehoiachin's short reign, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. This was part of a larger campaign by Babylon to assert control over the rebellious vassal states in the region. The siege resulted in the capture of Jerusalem and the deportation of Jehoiachin along with many of the city's elite, craftsmen, and warriors to Babylon. This event marked the second deportation of Jews to Babylon, following an earlier one during Jehoiakim's reign.

2 Kings 24:10-12 describes the invasion: "At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. And King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. Then King Jehoiachin of Judah, his mother, his servants, his officials, and his eunuchs surrendered to the king of Babylon."

Captivity in Babylon

Jehoiachin's surrender led to his captivity in Babylon, where he remained for 37 years. During this time, he was held in relative confinement but was eventually released from prison by Nebuchadnezzar's successor, Evil-Merodach, who showed him favor. This act of clemency is recorded in 2 Kings 25:27-30 : "On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year he became king, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were with him in Babylon."

Theological Significance

Jehoiachin's captivity is significant in biblical theology as it represents the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets regarding the consequences of Judah's disobedience to God. Despite his captivity, Jehoiachin's line was preserved, and he is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:11-12, indicating the continuation of the Davidic line through which the Messiah would come.

Jehoiachin's life and reign serve as a poignant reminder of the sovereignty of God over the nations and the fulfillment of His promises, both of judgment and of hope for restoration.2 Kings 24:10-16
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
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2 Chronicles 36:10
And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
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Esther 2:6
Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
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Jeremiah 27:20
Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
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Jeremiah 29:1,2
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
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Ezekiel 1:2
In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,
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The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... invades Syria: Josiah slain at Megiddo, the battle of ... the revolt of Jehoiakim and
the captivity of Jehoiachin. ... by the Mannai; but after defeating his foe and ...
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