יְהוֹיָקִים
Jehojakim, a Jewish king
Definition
יְהוֹיָקִים (Jehoiakim) was the 18th king of Judah, son of Josiah and brother of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:34). He reigned from 609–598 BC, installed as a vassal by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt, who changed his original name Eliakim to Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:34). His reign is characterized by idolatry, injustice, and opposition to God's prophets, notably Jeremiah, who prophesied judgment against him (Jeremiah 36:30-31). He is remembered for burning the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecies (Jeremiah 36:23) and for his subservience first to Egypt and then to Babylon, ultimately dying during Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:1-6).
Biblical Usage
The name is used exclusively as a proper noun for King Jehoiakim in historical and prophetic books. It appears in the historical narratives of 2 Kings (e.g., 2 Kings 23:34-36; 24:1-6, 19), 1 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 3:15), and the book of Jeremiah (e.g., Jeremiah 1:3; 22:18; 25:1; 36:1, 9, 28-32). In Jeremiah, his name is often linked directly to prophecies of doom and his specific acts of defiance against God's word. The usage consistently portrays him as a key figure in Judah's final years before the Babylonian exile.
Etymology
The name is a compound of two elements: the abbreviated form of the divine name יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhōvâ, H3068, 'the LORD') and the verb קוּם (qûm, H6965, 'to arise, stand up'). Thus, it means 'Yahweh raises up' or 'Yahweh establishes.' This theophoric name reflects a common Hebrew naming convention, expressing hope in God's action. It is a variant of יוֹיָקִים (Yôyâqîm, H3113), which appears in the Apocrypha and possibly refers to the same individual.
Semantic Range
Jehoiakim serves as a significant theological counter-example in Scripture. His reign starkly contrasts with his father Josiah's reforms, illustrating the consequences of covenant rebellion. His burning of Jeremiah's scroll (Jeremiah 36) epitomizes human defiance against divine revelation. His story underscores themes of God's patient warning through prophets, the certainty of judgment for unrepentant leadership, and the sovereignty of God in raising up and removing kings (Daniel 2:21). Understanding his name's meaning ('Yahweh raises up') adds irony, as God ultimately raised up Babylon to judge him.
In ancient Judah, a king's name change by a foreign overlord (as when Pharaoh Neco changed Eliakim to Jehoiakim) was a powerful act of political domination, asserting control over the vassal's identity and destiny. Theophoric names like Jehoiakim were culturally common, intended to invoke divine favor and protection for the child. However, his life story demonstrates that bearing a name declaring 'Yahweh raises up' did not guarantee personal faithfulness or divine blessing, highlighting the tension between nominal religion and genuine covenant loyalty.
יוֹיָקִים (Yôyâqîm, H3113) — A shortened variant of the same name, possibly used in later traditions or for a different individual. אֶלְיָקִים (ʼElyâqîm, H471) — His original name, meaning 'God raises,' given before Pharaoh Neco imposed the Yahwistic form (2 Kings 23:34).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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