Zebudah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament as the wife of King Josiah of Judah. Her role, though not extensively detailed in the Scriptures, is significant due to her position as the mother of Jehoiakim, one of the last kings of Judah before the Babylonian exile.

Biblical References:

Zebudah is specifically mentioned in 2 Kings 23:36: "Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebudah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah."

Family Background:

Zebudah was the daughter of Pedaiah and hailed from Rumah. The location of Rumah is not definitively identified in the biblical text, but it is traditionally considered to be a town in the region of Judah. Her marriage to Josiah, one of the most reformative and devout kings of Judah, placed her in a position of influence during a pivotal time in the nation's history.

Role and Influence:

While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Zebudah's life or her influence in the royal court, her position as queen consort during Josiah's reign would have afforded her a significant role in the social and political spheres of the time. As the mother of Jehoiakim, Zebudah's legacy continued through her son, who ascended to the throne after the death of Josiah.

Historical Context:

Zebudah lived during a tumultuous period in Judah's history. Her husband, King Josiah, was known for his religious reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh, as described in 2 Kings 22-23. Josiah's reign was marked by the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple, which led to a national religious revival. However, after Josiah's death, the kingdom faced increasing pressure from external powers, including Egypt and Babylon.

Jehoiakim, Zebudah's son, became king after Josiah's death and ruled during a time of political instability and impending Babylonian domination. His reign is noted for its challenges, including the initial subjugation to Egypt and later Babylon, as well as his resistance to prophetic warnings, particularly those of Jeremiah.

Legacy:

Zebudah's legacy is primarily carried through her son Jehoiakim, whose reign is documented in the biblical narrative as a period of decline leading to the eventual fall of Jerusalem. Despite the limited information about her personal life and influence, Zebudah's position as queen and mother of a king places her within the broader narrative of Judah's history during a critical era of transition and upheaval.2 Kings 23:36
Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
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