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Jehoiachin

Both TestamentsDivided MonarchyMaleKingSon

Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah, Coniah, or Shallum, was a king of Judah who reigned for three months before being exiled to Babylon.

Jehoiachin illustration
Jehoiachin

Biography

Jehoiachin, also known by the names Jeconiah, Coniah, and Shallum, was the eighteenth king of Judah, ascending the throne at age eighteen (2 Kings 24:8) and reigning a mere three months and ten days before surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon in 597 BC. He surrendered Jerusalem along with the royal family, court officials, and the finest craftsmen and warriors, approximately 10,000 people in the first major deportation (2 Kings 24:14–16). He remained imprisoned in Babylon for thirty-seven years until Evil-Merodach released him and gave him a place of honor at the Babylonian royal table (2 Kings 25:27–30). His name appears in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:11–12), marking his irreplaceable position in the messianic lineage.

Significance

Jehoiachin occupies a theologically significant position at the hinge of Judah's history, representing both the nadir of the Davidic dynasty and a harbinger of hope. Jeremiah pronounced a curse on Coniah (Jeremiah 22:24–30), declaring no descendant would sit on David's throne, yet Matthew's genealogy traces Jesus through his line. This apparent tension is resolved in Christ, who inherits David's throne not through biological succession but through divine sonship. Jehoiachin's rehabilitation in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27–30) is often read as a prophetic sign of hope for exiled Israel and a foreshadowing of God's ultimate restoration of the Davidic covenant through the greater Son of David.

Verse Appearances (22)

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
  3. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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