Category:Jehoiachin (subject)
Jehoiachin (Jeconiah; 6th cent. BCE), of the House of David, was the King of Judah, who was deported to Babylon by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar in 598/597 BCE. He was the son of his predecessor Jehoiakim, and the nephew of his successor Zedekiah. While remaining in Babylon as hostage king, Jehoiachin regained his title after the death of Zedekiah and part of his freedom after the death of Nebuchadnezzar. He was succeeded by his son Sheshbazzar.
- Davidic Kings: ... -> Jehoiakim -> Jehoiachin -> Zedekiah -> Jehoiachin -> Sheshbazzar -> ...
Overview
Jehoiachin was the son of king Jehoiakim and "Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem."
After the death of his father he reigned only "three months" in Jerusalem. He surrendered to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, who deported him to Babylon, with his mother, his wives, and his officials, and replaced him with his uncle Zedekiah. Jehoiachin was then "eighteen years old" (not "eight years old" as reported by Chronicles). Official Babylonian records, dated to 592 BCE, mention the king and his 5 sons as recipients of food rations. The exiles in Babylon would continue to refer to him as their king (Ez 2:2).
Had Zedekiah proved to be a loyal vassal to the Babylonians, the fate of Jehoiachin and his children would have been sealed. But Zekediah rebelled in 588-586 and he and his direct descendants were executed. Jehoiachin now became the only king of Judah.
Only after the death of Nebuchadnezzar was King Jehoiachin released from prison and granted a position corresponding to his royal status as hostage king, as he was allowed to sit with his peers at the table of the new Babylonian king Evil-merodach (Awel-Markud).
Jehoiachin's successors, Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel, would play an important role in the Babylonian and early Persian period as "kings of Judah."
Jehoiachin in ancient sources
2 Kings, the Book of Jeremiah and 2 Chronicles are the main sources on Jehoiachin. He is mentioned also in Babylonian documents and in the writings of Josephus.
- Jehoiachin (sources) -- survey of ancient sources
Jehoiachin in scholarship
- Jehoiachin (research) -- survey of scholarly works
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Pages in category "Jehoiachin (subject)"
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