Jehoiachin King of Judah

2022-11-16

Jehoiachin (or Coniah or Jeconiah) the son of Jehoiakim succeeded his father, reigning a short three months and ten days. He began to rule at the age of 18, though it appears he became a coregent with his father at the age of eight, likely because of the uncertainty of the times (2 Kings 24:8; 2 Chronicles 36:9). He likewise did evil like his predecessors.

When Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem, Jehoiachin and his officers came out to the king and surrendered to him. The Babylonian king also took treasures from the house of the Lord, and the people and the wealth were carried to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar made his uncle king in his place. Mordecai’s family was taken at this time as well (Esther 2:6).

All of this was from the Word of the Lord by Jeremiah the prophet (Jeremiah 22:24-30). Jehoiachin, or “Coniah,” may have had children, but he was written “childless”, having no heir on the throne of David: “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah” (Jeremiah 22:29-30). Afterward, Jeremiah promised that righteous Branch that would sit on the throne in lieu of Coniah (Jeremiah 23:1-8).

Thirty-seven years later, Evilmerodach king of Babylon let Jehoiachin out of prison and gave him a place of prominence over other kings taken captive, and he ate with the king. According to 1 Chronicles 3:17 and Jeremiah 22:28, Jehoiachin had his own children, though none of them ever reigned after him.

Archaeological evidence records the food rations given to Jehoiachin while he was in prison. Cuneiform tablets were discovered near the Ishtar Gate in Babylon describing food rations for royal prisoners, including Jehoiachin, who was mentioned by name. It appears from the size of the rations that he was treated favorably by Nebuchadnezzar before the reign of Evilmerodach. The tablet affirms the existence of his sons as well. (Bryan Windle, King Jehoiachin: An Archaeological Biography).

This is a part of the Kings of Judah series. To go back to the table of contents, proceed here.