Jehoiakim’s short-lived reign, spanning only eleven years, illustrates the fragile state of Judah in its final decades prior to the Babylonian captivity.
“Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.” (v.36)
In this verse, we learn that Jehoiakim ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of twenty-five and ruled for eleven years in Jerusalem, the capital city situated in the heart of the Judean highlands. Jerusalem was the hub of Judah’s political and religious life, housing the temple built by Solomon centuries earlier. Jehoiakim’s mother, Zebidah, is mentioned here—she was the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah, signifying that the royal lineage and family alliances were noteworthy elements of biblical history. While Jehoiakim was placed on the throne after the death of his father, King Josiah, and following the brief reign of his brother Jehoahaz, Scripture and historical records describe the tumultuous circumstances of his rule.
During Jehoiakim’s reign (609-598 BC), “Judah plunged into idolatry and persisted in disobedience and lawlessness,” which placed the kingdom in an increasingly precarious position.Pharaoh Necho of Egypt initially controlled Judah after Josiah’s defeat, and Jehoiakim was forced to pay tribute to maintain the throne. Eventually, the rising Babylonian Empire supplanted Egypt’s influence, leading to conflict that would culminate in the Babylonians seizing Jerusalem and further punishing Judah for its covenant unfaithfulness. This dire situation paved the way for later exiles and foreshadowed the final destruction of the city during his successors’ reigns. Although Jehoiakim reigned over God’s covenant people, his leadership took place in a trying era that demonstrated the consequences of turning away from the LORD—a theme that connects to the New Testament teaching on the seriousness of sin and the hope of restoration through Christ (Romans 6:23).
Set to dark mode
2 Kings 23:36 meaning
“Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.” (v.36)
In this verse, we learn that Jehoiakim ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of twenty-five and ruled for eleven years in Jerusalem, the capital city situated in the heart of the Judean highlands. Jerusalem was the hub of Judah’s political and religious life, housing the temple built by Solomon centuries earlier. Jehoiakim’s mother, Zebidah, is mentioned here—she was the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah, signifying that the royal lineage and family alliances were noteworthy elements of biblical history. While Jehoiakim was placed on the throne after the death of his father, King Josiah, and following the brief reign of his brother Jehoahaz, Scripture and historical records describe the tumultuous circumstances of his rule.
During Jehoiakim’s reign (609-598 BC), “Judah plunged into idolatry and persisted in disobedience and lawlessness,” which placed the kingdom in an increasingly precarious position.Pharaoh Necho of Egypt initially controlled Judah after Josiah’s defeat, and Jehoiakim was forced to pay tribute to maintain the throne. Eventually, the rising Babylonian Empire supplanted Egypt’s influence, leading to conflict that would culminate in the Babylonians seizing Jerusalem and further punishing Judah for its covenant unfaithfulness. This dire situation paved the way for later exiles and foreshadowed the final destruction of the city during his successors’ reigns. Although Jehoiakim reigned over God’s covenant people, his leadership took place in a trying era that demonstrated the consequences of turning away from the LORD—a theme that connects to the New Testament teaching on the seriousness of sin and the hope of restoration through Christ (Romans 6:23).