Lives of Scripture

Jehoiachin, also called Jeconiah or Coniah, became king of Judah at eighteen when his father Jehoiakim died, but his reign lasted only three months and ten days (2 Kings 24:6-8; 2 Chronicles 36:9). Scripture judges him bluntly: "he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done" (2 Kings 24:9). With Nebuchadnezzar's army besieging Jerusalem, Jehoiachin surrendered along with his mother, servants, officials, and officers (24:12). Nebuchadnezzar carried him off to Babylon, stripped the temple and palace treasuries, and deported ten thousand of Judah's leading citizens, craftsmen, and soldiers -- including Ezekiel -- leaving only the poorest people in the land (24:13-16). Jeremiah pronounced hard words over him: he would be recorded as childless in his generation, none of his offspring succeeding to David's throne (Jeremiah 22:24-30) -- fulfilled in that his line continued but never again reigned as king. Jehoiachin remained a prisoner in Babylon for thirty-seven years, until Evil-merodach, Nebuchadnezzar's successor, showed him unexpected favor: releasing him from prison, giving him new garments, a permanent place at the king's own table, and a regular allowance for the rest of his life (2 Kings 25:27-30). Matthew's genealogy still names him in the line leading to Christ (Matthew 1:11-12).