2 Chronicles 36:4

KJV

And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714} made Eliakim {H471} his brother {H251} king {H4427} over Judah {H3063} and Jerusalem {H3389}, and turned {H5437} his name {H8034} to Jehoiakim {H3079}. And Necho {H5224} took {H3947} Jehoahaz {H3099} his brother {H251}, and carried {H935} him to Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the king of Egypt made Elyakim his brother king over Y'hudah and Yerushalayim, changing his name to Y'hoyakim; N'kho took Yo'achaz his brother and carried him off to Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Neco king of Egypt made Eliakim brother of Jehoahaz king over Judah and Jerusalem, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Eliakim’s brother Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt.

American Standard Version

And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 36:4 marks a critical turning point in Judah's final decline, illustrating the kingdom's complete subjugation to foreign powers. Following the brief reign of Jehoahaz, Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt asserts his dominance by deposing the reigning king, installing his older brother Eliakim as a puppet ruler, and symbolically changing Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim. This act underscores Judah's loss of sovereignty and serves as a stark testament to the accelerating divine judgment upon a nation that had consistently turned away from its covenant with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the final chapters of 2 Chronicles, which recount the rapid succession of Judah's last kings and the kingdom's ultimate demise leading to the Babylonian exile. Immediately preceding [2 Chronicles 36:4](/2_chronicles/36-4 "2 Chronicles 36:4 - Pharaoh Necho Deposes Jehoahaz and Installs Jehoiakim") is the tragic account of King Josiah's death at the [Battle of Megiddo](/2_chronicles/35-20 "2 Chronicles 35:20-24 - Josiah's Death at Megiddo") against Pharaoh Necho II, followed by the people's anointing of Josiah's son, Jehoahaz (also known as Shallum), who reigned for only three months ([2 Chronicles 36:1-3](/2_chronicles/36-1 "2 Chronicles 36:1-3 - Jehoahaz's Brief Reign")). The Chronicler's narrative here emphasizes the rapid deterioration of the Davidic monarchy and the direct consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness, setting the stage for the subsequent reigns of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, each marked by increasing foreign domination and ultimately, the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 7th century BC was a period of immense geopolitical upheaval in the ancient Near East. The once-dominant Assyrian Empire was in decline, creating a power vacuum that Egypt and the rising Neo-Babylonian Empire sought to fill. Pharaoh Necho II's campaign northward, which led to Josiah's death at Megiddo in 609 BC, was an attempt to reassert Egyptian influence in the Levant and support the remnants of the Assyrian empire against Babylon. Judah, strategically located, became a pawn in this larger imperial struggle. The act of a conquering king changing the name of a vassal ruler, as Necho did with Eliakim, was a common and powerful symbolic gesture in the ancient world, signifying absolute suzerainty, ownership, and the vassal's complete submission to the overlord's authority. This cultural practice clearly communicated Judah's status as a client state.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 36:4](/2_chronicles/36-4 "2 Chronicles 36:4 - Pharaoh Necho Deposes Jehoahaz and Installs Jehoiakim") powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the Chronicler's theology. Firstly, it highlights the **Loss of Davidic Sovereignty**; the ability of a foreign king to depose a Judahite monarch and install another, even changing his name, demonstrates Judah's complete subjugation and the erosion of its independence. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment through Foreign Powers**; while human agents like Pharaoh Necho are acting out their imperial ambitions, the biblical authors consistently present these events as part of God's sovereign plan to bring judgment upon Judah for its persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, as prophesied in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Finally, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **The Precariousness of Judah's Political Position**, caught between the competing ambitions of Egypt and the soon-to-be dominant Babylon, foreshadowing the inevitable Babylonian captivity described later in [2 Chronicles 36:6-21](/2_chronicles/36-6 "2 Chronicles 36:6-21 - Judah's Final Kings and Exile").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eliakim (Hebrew, _ʾElyaqim'_):** Meaning "God raises up" or "My God raises up." This name, given by his parents, ironically contrasts with the reality that he was "raised up" not by God's direct appointment for faithful rule, but by a pagan foreign king, Pharaoh Necho. This highlights the human manipulation of divine prerogative.
* **Jehoiakim (Hebrew, _Yehoiaqim'_):** Meaning "Yahweh raises up" or "Yahweh establishes." The change from "El" (God) to "Yahweh" (the covenant name of God) in the name is significant. While the name still invokes the God of Israel, the fact that a pagan king imposed it underscores the profound humiliation and loss of autonomy for the Davidic dynasty. It was a clear assertion of Necho's authority, demonstrating that even the identity of Judah's king was now subject to foreign will.
* **Necho (Hebrew, _Nekho'_):** Refers to Pharaoh Necho II, a powerful Egyptian pharaoh of the 26th Dynasty (Saite Dynasty). His actions in Judah were part of a broader strategy to reassert Egyptian control over the Levant and counter the rising power of Babylon. His direct intervention in Judah's succession demonstrates the extent of Egyptian influence at this time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem":** This clause reveals the immediate consequence of Josiah's death and Jehoahaz's brief reign. Pharaoh Necho, having defeated Judah's king, now exercises his suzerain rights by directly appointing the next king. Eliakim was indeed Jehoahaz's older brother, making him a legitimate heir in terms of lineage, but his ascension to the throne was entirely at the discretion of a foreign power, not through Judahite popular will or divine anointing. This act signifies the end of Judah's true independence.
* **"and turned his name to Jehoiakim":** This action is a potent symbol of subjugation. In the ancient Near East, a suzerain changing the name of a vassal or a captive was a profound assertion of absolute authority, ownership, and control over the individual's identity and destiny. It was a public declaration that Eliakim, and by extension Judah, was now completely under Necho's dominion. Despite the new name still containing a reference to Yahweh, the God of Israel, the act itself was an affront to Judah's national and religious identity.
* **"And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt":** This final clause details the fate of the deposed king. Jehoahaz's capture and forced exile to Egypt served as a stark warning and a tangible demonstration of Necho's power. This was the first instance of a Davidic king being exiled by a foreign power, foreshadowing the greater exiles to come under Babylonian rule. It solidified Judah's status as a conquered territory, its leadership subject to the whims of foreign empires.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices to convey the profound theological and political significance of [2 Chronicles 36:4](/2_chronicles/36-4 "2 Chronicles 36:4 - Pharaoh Necho Deposes Jehoahaz and Installs Jehoiakim"). **Symbolism** is prominent in the name change from Eliakim to Jehoiakim, which powerfully symbolizes Judah's loss of sovereignty and the foreign king's absolute authority over the Davidic throne. This act of renaming is a visual and verbal representation of subjugation. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the names themselves: Eliakim, meaning "God raises up," is ironically raised up by a pagan king, not by divine favor for righteous rule. Similarly, Jehoiakim, meaning "Yahweh raises up," is a king whose reign is characterized by unfaithfulness and leads to further divine judgment, rather than Yahweh's blessing. Furthermore, the exile of Jehoahaz to Egypt serves as clear **Foreshadowing** of the greater and more devastating exiles that await Judah under Babylonian rule, indicating that the nation's downward spiral is accelerating and its ultimate fate is sealed due to its persistent unfaithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Chronicles 36:4](/2_chronicles/36-4 "2 Chronicles 36:4 - Pharaoh Necho Deposes Jehoahaz and Installs Jehoiakim") stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty, even amidst the machinations of human empires. While Pharaoh Necho acts out of geopolitical ambition, the biblical narrative consistently portrays such events as instruments in God's hand to execute His righteous judgment upon a disobedient people. This verse demonstrates that no earthly power, however mighty, can thwart the divine will. Judah's loss of independence and the humiliation of its monarchy were direct consequences of its persistent idolatry and failure to uphold the covenant, fulfilling the warnings laid out in the Mosaic Law. Even the name change, a human assertion of power, ultimately points to the Lord's ultimate control over kings and nations, shaping history to achieve His purposes, whether in judgment or in eventual restoration.

* [Deuteronomy 28:43-44](/deuteronomy/28-43 "Deuteronomy 28:43-44 - Foreigners Will Rise Above You")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart is in the Hand of the Lord")
* [Jeremiah 22:10-12](/jeremiah/22-10 "Jeremiah 22:10-12 - Prophecy Against Shallum/Jehoahaz")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This historical account from [2 Chronicles 36:4](/2_chronicles/36-4 "2 Chronicles 36:4 - Pharaoh Necho Deposes Jehoahaz and Installs Jehoiakim") offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder that true security and lasting peace are not found in political alliances, human strength, or worldly maneuvering, but solely in faithful reliance upon God. Judah's attempt to navigate the treacherous geopolitical landscape by aligning with or submitting to foreign powers, rather than trusting in the Lord's protection and covenant promises, ultimately led to their downfall and loss of autonomy. For us, this underscores the importance of discerning where our ultimate trust lies. When we place our hope in human systems, ideologies, or leaders above God, we risk experiencing a spiritual "exile" – a loss of true freedom and purpose that only comes from living in alignment with His will. Even in times of political instability or perceived loss of control, this verse calls us to recognize God's overarching sovereignty, knowing that He works His purposes through all circumstances, even through the actions of unrighteous rulers, to bring about His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to place my trust in human systems or power structures rather than in God alone?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations and rulers impact my perspective on current events and political realities?**
* **What are the "name changes" or identity shifts in my life that have occurred due to submission to worldly pressures rather than to Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why did Necho change Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim?**

Answer: Pharaoh Necho changed Eliakim's name to Jehoiakim as a powerful and common symbolic act of asserting absolute suzerainty and ownership in the ancient Near East. When a conqueror or overlord changed the name of a vassal king or official, it was a clear declaration of their authority and the vassal's complete submission. It demonstrated that Eliakim's very identity and right to rule were now derived from Necho's will, not from his own lineage or the will of the people of Judah. This practice was also seen later when Babylonian officials changed Daniel's name to Belteshazzar in [Daniel 1:7](/daniel/1-7 "Daniel 1:7 - Daniel's Name Change").

**What was the significance of Jehoahaz being taken to Egypt?**

Answer: Jehoahaz's capture and forced exile to Egypt was highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it symbolized Judah's complete loss of autonomy and the Davidic monarchy's subjugation to a foreign power. A king chosen by the people was swiftly removed by an outside force. Secondly, it was the first instance of a Davidic king being exiled by a foreign power, setting a grim precedent. This event directly foreshadowed the greater and more devastating exiles that would follow under Babylonian rule, where subsequent kings and large portions of the population would be carried away from their homeland, as described in [2 Chronicles 36:6-21](/2_chronicles/36-6 "2 Chronicles 36:6-21 - Judah's Final Kings and Exile"). It marked a tangible step towards the fulfillment of divine judgment on Judah.

**How does this event relate to God's judgment?**

Answer: The Chronicler, like other biblical authors, interprets these political events through a theological lens. While Pharaoh Necho was acting out of his own imperial ambitions, the biblical narrative presents his actions as instruments in God's hand to execute judgment upon Judah for its persistent unfaithfulness, idolatry, and covenant breaking. The loss of sovereignty, the humiliation of the Davidic line, and the exile of a king were all consequences of Judah's turning away from the Lord. This event demonstrates God's sovereign control over history and nations, using even pagan rulers to bring about His righteous purposes, including the discipline of His people, as warned in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The events of [2 Chronicles 36:4](/2_chronicles/36-4 "2 Chronicles 36:4 - Pharaoh Necho Deposes Jehoahaz and Installs Jehoiakim") highlight the tragic failure of the earthly Davidic monarchy, a line meant to embody God's righteous rule but which instead became a pawn of foreign powers and a source of unfaithfulness. The king's name changed by a pagan ruler, his authority subject to human whims, underscores the profound need for a different kind of King. This historical moment points forward to Jesus Christ, the true and ultimate Son of David, whose reign is not established by human decree or foreign power, but by God Himself. Unlike Jehoiakim, whose name was given by an earthly pharaoh, Jesus' name, "Jesus," was given by divine instruction ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus' Name and Mission")), signifying His unique identity and mission as the Savior. He is the King whose authority is not diminished but divinely exalted, to whom "every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus Exalted Name")). The humiliation of Judah's kings foreshadows Christ's own humiliation on the cross, yet unlike them, His suffering led to ultimate victory and an eternal, unshakeable kingdom ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom")). Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")) whose name cannot be changed by any earthly power, and who truly delivers His people from the bondage of sin and death, establishing a spiritual kingdom that transcends all earthly empires.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 22:10

¶ Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: [but] weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.

Jeremiah 22:12

But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.

Ezekiel 19:3

And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.

Ezekiel 19:4

The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt.

2 Kings 23:34

And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

2 Kings 23:35

And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give [it] unto Pharaohnechoh.

1 Chronicles 3:15

And the sons of Josiah [were], the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.