Eliakim
“Whom God raises up, or God will establish”
Summary
Most notably, the faithful steward over Hezekiah's household who replaced the proud Shebna and became a type of Christ in his authority; also the original name of King Jehoiakim and an ancestor of Jesus.
☩Eliakim, Son of Hilkiah
Eliakim son of Hilkiah was the prefect of Hezekiah's palace, the highest official under the king. He succeeded Shebna, who was removed from office as punishment for his pride. God called Eliakim 'my servant,' indicating divine approval of his character. During Sennacherib's invasion, Eliakim led the Jewish delegation that met with the Assyrian officials and later went in sackcloth to the prophet Isaiah seeking guidance. He acted as 'a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah,' faithfully discharging the responsibilities of his high office.
☩Type of Christ
Isaiah's prophecy regarding Eliakim contains language that transcends the immediate context and points to Christ. God declares: 'The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open and none shall shut, and he shall shut and none shall open.' The key on the shoulder symbolized governing authority, and Eliakim's absolute power over access to the royal house foreshadows Christ, who holds the keys of David's eternal kingdom, opening and shutting heaven's door. As Eliakim supplanted Shebna, so Christ the true heir of David's throne will supplant all unfaithful stewards.
☩Other Men Named Eliakim
The original name of Jehoiakim king of Judah was Eliakim, changed by Pharaoh-Neco when he installed him as vassal king after Josiah's death. A priest named Eliakim assisted at the dedication of the wall in Nehemiah's time. Two ancestors of Jesus bore this name: one son of Abiud in Matthew's genealogy, and one son of Melea in Luke's genealogy.
Related Verses14 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Eliakim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Eliakim," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Eliakim," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Eliakim," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).