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Zedekiah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleProphet

Zedekiah, a false prophet among the exiles in Babylon, was denounced by Jeremiah for his lies and immorality (Jer.29.21,22).

Zedekiah illustration
Zedekiah

Biography

Zedekiah son of Maaseiah was a false prophet among the Judean exiles in Babylon during the early sixth century BC. He and another false prophet named Ahab son of Kolaiah were sharply condemned by Jeremiah in a letter to the Babylonian exiles (Jer. 29:21-22). Jeremiah declared that these men prophesied lies in the name of God, had committed adultery, and had spread dangerous falsehoods among the exiled community, likely encouraging premature expectations of a swift return to Judah. God's judgment against them was severe: they would be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar, killed, and become a byword of cursing among the exiles, spoken of as those whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire.

Significance

Zedekiah son of Maaseiah exemplifies the catastrophic damage that false prophecy inflicts on vulnerable communities. The Judean exiles in Babylon were a traumatized people desperate for reassurance, making them susceptible to prophets who promised comfort rather than truth. Jeremiah's condemnation of Zedekiah serves as a powerful theological warning: false prophecy exploits grief and longing, offering false hope that undermines genuine repentance and faithful endurance. The specific judgment of death by fire at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar underscores the divine principle that those who use God's name to deceive his people face severe accountability. Zedekiah's infamy became a proverbial warning to future generations about the dangers of self-appointed prophets.

Verse Appearances (53)

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. Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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