Jeremiah 37:1

¶ 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.

And king {H4428} Zedekiah {H6667} the son {H1121} of Josiah {H2977} reigned {H4427} instead of Coniah {H3659} the son {H1121} of Jehoiakim {H3079}, whom Nebuchadrezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} made king {H4427} in the land {H776} of Judah {H3063}.

Tzidkiyahu the son of Yoshiyahu became king, succeeding Koniyahu the son of Y'hoyakim, whom N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel had made king over the land of Y'hudah.

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made Zedekiah son of Josiah the king of Judah, and he reigned in place of Coniah son of Jehoiakim.

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

Jeremiah 37:1 serves as a crucial historical marker, setting the stage for the dramatic final chapters of the Kingdom of Judah before its complete destruction and the Babylonian exile. This verse establishes the reign of King Zedekiah, under whom the city of Jerusalem would finally fall.

Context

This verse introduces the king under whom the final phase of Judah's judgment unfolds. King Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the youngest son of King Josiah, a righteous king who attempted reforms. Zedekiah was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon after the brief reign of his nephew, Coniah (also known as Jehoiachin). Coniah had reigned for only three months and ten days before being deported to Babylon along with many of Judah's prominent citizens, including the prophet Ezekiel and skilled craftsmen, in the second Babylonian deportation (597 BC). This event is detailed in 2 Kings 24:15 and Jeremiah 29:2. Zedekiah's reign, therefore, signifies Judah's status as a vassal state, entirely subject to the Babylonian Empire. Despite Jeremiah's constant warnings, Zedekiah would eventually rebel against Babylon, leading to the ultimate siege and destruction of Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty in History: Even a pagan king like Nebuchadnezzar is presented as an instrument in God's plan, demonstrating God's ultimate control over the rise and fall of nations and rulers.
  • The End of an Era: Zedekiah's reign marks the final, tragic period of Judah's monarchy before the Babylonian exile. It underscores the consequences of generations of idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant.
  • Vassalage and Loss of Independence: The fact that Nebuchadnezzar "made king" Zedekiah highlights Judah's complete subjugation and loss of national sovereignty, a direct result of their unfaithfulness.
  • The Prophet's Challenge: Jeremiah's ministry throughout Zedekiah's reign was characterized by unpopular prophecies of surrender to Babylon, which were consistently rejected by the king and his officials, leading to further calamity (Jeremiah 38:5).

Linguistic Insights

The name "Coniah" is a shortened form of "Jehoiachin" (also spelled "Jeconiah" or "Jeconiah" in other passages), meaning "the LORD establishes." His brief reign and subsequent exile were a stark illustration of how God's establishment could also involve judgment due to the nation's sin.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 37:1 reminds us that God is sovereign over all earthly powers and historical events. Even when circumstances seem chaotic or controlled by human ambition, God is working out His purposes. For believers, this offers comfort and a call to trust in God's overarching plan, even when facing difficult political or societal shifts. It also underscores the importance of heeding divine warnings and living in obedience, as the consequences of persistent rebellion can be severe, leading to the loss of freedom and blessing.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 22:24

    [As] I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

  • 2 Kings 24:12

    And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.

  • Jeremiah 52:31

    ¶ And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth [day] of the month, [that] Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the [first] year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison,

  • 2 Chronicles 36:9

    Jehoiachin [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:10

    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.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:15

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

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