Topical Encyclopedia Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the last king of Judah, reigning from approximately 597 to 586 BC. He was the third son of Josiah and the uncle of his predecessor, Jehoiachin. Zedekiah's ascent to the throne was orchestrated by Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, who had previously besieged Jerusalem and taken Jehoiachin captive. Nebuchadnezzar changed Mattaniah's name to Zedekiah, which means "The Lord is my righteousness," and installed him as a vassal king over Judah (2 Kings 24:17).The Evil Reign of Zedekiah Zedekiah's reign is marked by political instability, spiritual decline, and eventual destruction. Despite his royal lineage, Zedekiah failed to lead Judah in righteousness and obedience to God. The biblical narrative portrays him as a weak and indecisive ruler who succumbed to the pressures of his advisors and the political climate of the time. The prophet Jeremiah, a contemporary of Zedekiah, frequently warned the king and the people of Judah about the impending judgment due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. Jeremiah urged Zedekiah to submit to Babylonian rule as a means of preserving the nation, but Zedekiah ignored these prophetic warnings (Jeremiah 27:12-15). Zedekiah's reign was characterized by a series of rebellions against Babylonian authority, which ultimately led to the downfall of Jerusalem. In the ninth year of his reign, Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, seeking alliances with Egypt and other neighboring nations (2 Kings 24:20). This act of defiance prompted Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem, a siege that lasted approximately two years and resulted in severe famine and suffering within the city (2 Kings 25:1-3). Despite the dire circumstances, Zedekiah continued to resist Babylonian control, demonstrating a lack of faith in God's sovereignty and a refusal to heed the counsel of Jeremiah. The prophet repeatedly implored Zedekiah to surrender to the Babylonians to spare the city and its inhabitants from destruction, but Zedekiah's fear of his own officials and lack of trust in God's promises led him to reject this advice (Jeremiah 38:17-23). The consequences of Zedekiah's rebellion were catastrophic. In 586 BC, the Babylonians breached the walls of Jerusalem, capturing the city and setting it ablaze. The temple, the royal palace, and the houses of Jerusalem were destroyed, and the people were taken into exile (2 Kings 25:8-11). Zedekiah attempted to flee but was captured near Jericho. He was brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where he witnessed the execution of his sons before his eyes were put out, and he was taken in chains to Babylon (2 Kings 25:6-7). Zedekiah's reign serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God's word. His failure to lead Judah in righteousness and his refusal to submit to God's ordained plan through the prophet Jeremiah ultimately led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, marking the end of the Davidic monarchy in Judah until the promised restoration. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 24:19,20And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. Nave's Topical Index 2 Chronicles 36:12,13 Jeremiah 37:2 Jeremiah 38:5,19,24-26 Jeremiah 52:2 Library The Last King of Judah On Daniel. I. Preface by the Most Holy Hippolytus, (Bishop) of ... The Fall of Judah Approaching Doom 'As Sodom' Carried Captive into Babylon Babylon. The Figurative Language of Scripture. The End On the Sunday Called "Episozomenes," to those who had Come to ... Resources What does the Bible say about emotional abuse? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Nebuchadnezzar? | GotQuestions.org What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Zedekiah: A False Prophet: Strikes Micaiah, the True Prophet Zedekiah: Grandson of Jehoiakim Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar by Ezekiel Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar by Jeremiah Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Forms an Alliance With the King of Egypt Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Imprisons Jeremiah on Account of his Denunciations Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: The Evil Reign of Zedekiah: Made King of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar: Throws off his Allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar Zedekiah: Nebuchadnezzar Destroys the City and Temple Zedekiah: Prophesies to Ahab That he Will be Victorious Over the Syrians, Instead of Being Defeated Related Terms |
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