Zedekiah
“Righteousness of Yahweh or my righteousness is Jah”
Summary
The last king of Judah, a weak ruler whose rebellion against Babylon led to Jerusalem's destruction and the exile of the Jewish people.
☩Rise to Power
Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the youngest son of King Josiah by his wife Hamutal, making him a full brother to Jehoahaz. When Nebuchadnezzar deposed his nephew Jehoiachin in 597 BC, he placed the twenty-one-year-old Mattaniah on Judah's throne and changed his name to Zedekiah, meaning 'righteousness of Yahweh.' The name change was intended as a pledge of his keeping covenant with Babylon, sworn in God's name.
☩Character and Reign
Scripture characterizes Zedekiah not as thoroughly wicked but as fatally weak. He was unable to resist the pressure of his princes, confessing to Jeremiah, 'The king is not he that can do anything against you.' Though he repeatedly sought Jeremiah's counsel and showed him some kindness, he lacked the moral courage to follow the prophet's advice to submit to Babylon. His court was dominated by a pro-Egyptian party that urged rebellion.
☩Rebellion and Fall
Despite his oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah eventually rebelled by forming an alliance with Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar responded by besieging Jerusalem in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign. After eighteen terrible months during which famine ravaged the city, the walls were breached. Zedekiah fled by night toward the Jordan but was captured near Jericho and brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah.
☩Tragic End and Fulfilled Prophecy
At Riblah, Nebuchadnezzar executed Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, then put out his eyes and carried him in chains to Babylon, where he died in prison. Two seemingly contradictory prophecies were remarkably fulfilled: Jeremiah declared 'his eyes shall behold his eyes' (speaking face to face with Nebuchadnezzar), while Ezekiel prophesied he would be brought to Babylon 'yet shall he not see it.' Both came true—he saw the king, then was blinded before being taken to Babylon.
Related Verses75 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Zedekiah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Zedekiah (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Zedekiah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).