Topical Encyclopedia Sedekias, also known as Zedekiah, was the last king of Judah before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. His reign is a significant period in biblical history, marked by political turmoil, prophetic warnings, and the ultimate fall of the kingdom of Judah. Sedekias was the son of Josiah and the uncle of his predecessor, Jehoiachin. He ascended to the throne at the age of twenty-one and reigned for eleven years from approximately 597 to 586 BC.Historical Context Sedekias was installed as king by Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, after the latter had captured Jerusalem and taken Jehoiachin, along with many others, into exile. Nebuchadnezzar changed his name from Mattaniah to Zedekiah, which means "The Lord is my righteousness," perhaps as a sign of his vassal status. Despite this, Sedekias' reign was characterized by a struggle between loyalty to Babylon and the desire for independence, influenced by nationalistic and religious factions within Judah. Biblical Narrative The biblical account of Sedekias is primarily found in 2 Kings 24:17-25:7, 2 Chronicles 36:10-21, and the Book of Jeremiah. The prophet Jeremiah played a significant role during Sedekias' reign, repeatedly warning him of the consequences of rebellion against Babylon and urging submission as the will of God. Jeremiah 27:12-13 records one such warning: "I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah in the same way, saying, 'Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live! Why should you and your people die by the sword, famine, and plague, as the LORD has decreed against any nation that does not serve the king of Babylon?'" Despite these warnings, Sedekias eventually rebelled against Babylon, influenced by false prophets and political pressures. This rebellion led to the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, culminating in the city's destruction in 586 BC. The biblical narrative describes the horrors of the siege, including famine and suffering, as detailed in Lamentations and the historical books. The Fall of Jerusalem The fall of Jerusalem was a pivotal event in Jewish history. 2 Kings 25:1-7 describes the final days of Sedekias' reign: "So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year." When the city walls were breached, Sedekias 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, fulfilling the prophecy of Ezekiel 12:13 : "I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans, yet he will not see it, and there he will die." Theological Significance Sedekias' reign and the fall of Jerusalem are seen as a fulfillment of divine judgment due to the persistent idolatry and disobedience of the people of Judah. The prophets, particularly Jeremiah, emphasized that the destruction was a result of the nation's covenant unfaithfulness. However, the biblical narrative also holds a message of hope and restoration, as seen in Jeremiah's prophecies of a new covenant and the eventual return from exile. Sedekias' account serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of ignoring divine warnings and the importance of faithfulness to God's commands. His reign marks the end of the Davidic monarchy in Judah until the promised restoration and the coming of the Messiah, who Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SEDEKIASsed-e-ki'-as: Library Aristeas Philokratei A Letter from Origen to Africanus. Thesaurus Sedekias... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SEDEKIAS. sed-e-ki'-as: (1) (Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Vaticanus Sedekias; the King James Version ... /s/sedekias.htm - 6k Sedecias Zedekiah (63 Occurrences) Zedechias Sedge (2 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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