Divided Kingdom · In the line to Jesus

Jehoiakim

also called Eliakim

Son of Josiah who was placed on the throne by Pharaoh Necho after Josiah's death, with his name changed from Eliakim to Jehoiakim. He was a wicked king who oppressed the people with heavy taxation to pay tribute to Egypt, built a lavish palace using forced labor, and burned the scroll of Jeremiah's prophecies column by column in defiance of God's word. Jeremiah prophesied he would be buried like a donkey—dragged out and thrown beyond the gates of Jerusalem. He died as Babylon was rising to power over Judah.

Era
Divided Kingdom
When
~609-598 BC
Tribe
Judah
Also called
Eliakim
In the line to Jesus
Generation 50 of 64

Family

The verse that names Jehoiakim

Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died.2 Kings 23:34 · Berean Standard Bible

Where to read about Jehoiakim

2 Chronicles 36:4-8

Then Neco king of Egypt made Eliakim brother of Jehoahaz king over Judah and Jerusalem, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Eliakim’s brother Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt. Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. Then Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jehoiakim and bound him with bronze shackles to take…

Four last kings in quick succession. Babylon destroys the temple and carries Judah into exile. But the final verse is a whisper of hope: Cyrus says go home.

Jeremiah 22:18-19

Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: “They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’ They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’ He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.

A series of judgments against Judah's kings. They built their palaces on injustice — and will be carried away like pottery thrown from a window.

Jeremiah 36:1-32

In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you during the reign of Josiah until today. Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the calamity I plan to bring upon them, each of them will turn from his wicked way. Then I will forgive their iniquity…

Jeremiah dictates God's words. The king cuts the scroll with a knife and burns it, column by column. Jeremiah writes it all again — with additions.

Jehoiakim in the line to Jesus

Jehoiakim is generation 50 of the 64 Scripture traces from Adam to Jesus, following ManassehAmonJosiah, and followed by JeconiahShealtielZerubbabel. See the whole line.

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