Who was Pedaiah in the Bible?

Pedaiah was the father of Zebidah, who became the mother of King Jehoiakim of Judah. He is mentioned only briefly in the lineage of the kings of Judah (2 Kings 23:36).

Why is Pedaiah significant in the Bible?

Pedaiah's significance comes solely through his daughter, as he was the maternal grandfather of King Jehoiakim. This connection places him in the royal lineage of Judah during a turbulent period before the Babylonian exile.

What do we know about Pedaiah's life?

The Bible provides no details about Pedaiah's life, occupation, or character. His only recorded fact is his familial relationship, identifying him as "Pedaiah of Rumah" and the father of King Jehoiakim's mother (2 Kings 23:36).

Pedaiah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKingMotherFather

Pedaiah, father of Zebidah, who was the mother of King Jehoiakim of Judah.

Pedaiah

Biography

Pedaiah from the town of Rumah is identified in Scripture as the father of Zebidah, who became the mother of King Jehoiakim of Judah (2 Kings 23:36). Through this maternal connection, Pedaiah was the grandfather of one of Judah's final kings. Jehoiakim, originally named Eliakim, was installed on the throne by Pharaoh Necho of Egypt after the death of the righteous King Josiah and the brief reign of Jehoahaz. Jehoiakim reigned for eleven years (609-598 BC) and is remembered negatively in Scripture for doing evil in the sight of the LORD and for his infamous act of cutting and burning the scroll of Jeremiah's prophecies (Jeremiah 36:23). Pedaiah's hometown of Rumah was likely located in the region of Galilee, suggesting a marriage alliance between the Davidic house and a northern family.

Significance

Pedaiah's significance lies in his connection to the Davidic dynasty through his daughter Zebidah's marriage to King Josiah. Such marriage alliances between the royal house and prominent families from across the land served to strengthen national unity and the king's political base. The mention of Pedaiah and his hometown of Rumah reflects the Deuteronomistic historian's careful attention to the maternal lineage of Judah's kings, acknowledging the influence of the queen mother's family on royal policy and character. Though Pedaiah himself bears no blame for Jehoiakim's wickedness, the genealogical notice invites reflection on the complex interplay between family heritage and individual moral responsibility that runs throughout the narrative of Judah's monarchy.

Verse Appearances (1)

2Kgs

2Kgs 23:36

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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