2 Kings 24:17

And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

And the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} made Mattaniah {H4983} his father's brother {H1730} king {H4427} in his stead, and changed {H5437} his name {H8034} to Zedekiah {H6667}.

The king of Bavel made Matanyah, Y'hoyakhin's father's brother, king in place of Y'hoyakhin and changed his name to Tzidkiyahu.

Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.

And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s father’s brother, king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

Commentary

2 Kings 24:17 records a pivotal moment in the decline of the Kingdom of Judah, marking a significant step towards its ultimate destruction and the Babylonian exile. This verse details the installation of a new king by the conquering Babylonian Empire.

Context

This verse follows the brief and tragic reign of King Jehoiachin, who ruled Judah for only three months. After Jerusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful King of Babylon, Jehoiachin surrendered to avoid further devastation. As a result, Jehoiachin, along with his mother, officials, nobles, mighty men of valor, and all the skilled craftsmen and smiths, were taken captive to Babylon. This event, described in 2 Kings 24:15-16, effectively stripped Judah of its leadership and resources.

In the vacuum of power, Nebuchadnezzar, demonstrating his complete control over the Judean kingdom, chose Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle (and thus King Josiah's brother), to rule as a vassal king. This was a strategic move to ensure Babylonian loyalty and prevent any immediate rebellion, though it ultimately failed.

Key Themes

  • Babylonian Dominance and Judah's Subjugation: The act of Nebuchadnezzar appointing a king and changing his name clearly signifies Judah's loss of sovereignty and its complete subjugation to the Babylonian Empire. Judah was no longer an independent kingdom but a vassal state under foreign rule.
  • The Significance of a Name Change: In biblical culture, a name change often symbolized a shift in identity, destiny, or allegiance. While God initiated name changes like Abram to Abraham or Jacob to Israel to mark a new covenant or divine purpose, Nebuchadnezzar's renaming of Mattaniah to Zedekiah was an act of asserting his authority and ownership. It was a visible sign that the new king owed his position entirely to Babylon.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: This event is a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God, as prophesied by prophets like Jeremiah. The loss of autonomy and the imposition of foreign rulers were part of God's judgment on His people for their unfaithfulness, leading towards the seventy years of Babylonian captivity.

Linguistic Insights

The original name, Mattaniah (מַתַּנְיָה), means "Gift of Yahweh" or "Gift of the Lord." This name reflects a theological sentiment, acknowledging God as the giver of life and blessings.

The new name, Zedekiah (צִדְקִיָּהוּ), means "My righteousness is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my righteousness." This name is deeply ironic given Zedekiah's future actions. Despite bearing a name that invoked God's righteousness, King Zedekiah ultimately rebelled against Babylon and, more significantly, against God's will, leading to Jerusalem's final destruction and his own tragic end, as detailed in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 52.

Practical Application and Significance

This verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of national and individual unfaithfulness to God. It illustrates that even when God's people stray, He remains sovereign, using even foreign powers to accomplish His purposes and bring about His judgment. For believers today, it underscores the importance of true allegiance – our ultimate loyalty must be to God, not to earthly powers or fleeting circumstances. The irony of Zedekiah's name also challenges us to consider if our lives truly reflect the righteousness of God we claim to believe in, or if there's a disconnect between our proclaimed faith and our actions.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 37:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:4 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Kings 23:34 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Jeremiah 52:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Zedekiah [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:15 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Chronicles 3:16 (2 votes)

    And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:10 (2 votes)

    And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.