Jeremiah 52:2

KJV

And he did [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he did {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in the eyes {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, according to all that Jehoiakim {H3079} had done {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, following the example of everything Y'hoyakim had done.

Berean Standard Bible

And Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done.

American Standard Version

And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:2 delivers a stark indictment of King Zedekiah, Judah's final monarch, declaring that his reign was characterized by actions deemed "evil in the eyes of the LORD," mirroring the wickedness of his predecessor, King Jehoiakim. This concise verse sets the stage for the tragic culmination of Judah's spiritual decline and the inevitable judgment of God, emphasizing the persistent pattern of royal disobedience that led to the nation's downfall and the Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 52 serves as an appendix to the prophetic book, largely mirroring the account found in [2 Kings 24-25](/2_kings/24 "2 Kings 24-25 - The Fall of Judah"). It provides the historical backdrop and fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies concerning Jerusalem's destruction and the Babylonian exile. Verse 1 introduces Zedekiah's ascension to the throne, placed there by Nebuchadnezzar after Jehoiachin's brief reign. Verse 2 immediately follows, offering a divine assessment of Zedekiah's character and rule, establishing the spiritual justification for the subsequent catastrophic events detailed in the chapter, such as the siege of Jerusalem, the capture of Zedekiah, and the destruction of the Temple. This opening assessment frames the entire chapter as the tragic consequence of unrighteous leadership.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Zedekiah (originally Mattaniah) was installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 597 BC, following the first deportation of Judah's elite, including King Jehoiachin. Judah at this time was a vassal state, caught between the competing powers of Babylon and Egypt. Culturally, the phrase "did evil in the eyes of the LORD" is a standard theological assessment found throughout the Deuteronomistic History (Judges, Samuel, Kings), indicating a king's failure to uphold the covenant with Yahweh, often through idolatry, injustice, or political alliances that defied divine instruction. The comparison to Jehoiakim (reigned 609-598 BC) is particularly damning, as Jehoiakim was known for his oppressive rule, disregard for the poor, and open defiance of Jeremiah's prophetic warnings, even burning the scroll of Jeremiah's prophecies ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")). Zedekiah's reign continued this pattern of rebellion against God and pursuit of self-serving political strategies, ultimately leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, demonstrating that God holds leaders, especially kings, responsible for their actions and their adherence to His covenant. Zedekiah's wickedness, like Jehoiakim's, directly contributed to Judah's fate. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Consequences of Persistent Disobedience**. Despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah, the kings of Judah, including Zedekiah, stubbornly refused to repent, illustrating the principle that unheeded divine warnings lead to inevitable judgment, as outlined in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Thirdly, it speaks to the **Spiritual Degeneration of the Monarchy**, revealing a consistent pattern of unrighteous leadership in Judah's final decades, which ultimately led to the collapse of the Davidic dynasty and the exile, fulfilling prophecies found earlier in Jeremiah, such as the pronouncements against the kings in [Jeremiah 22](/jeremiah/22 "Jeremiah 22 - Prophecies Against Judah's Kings").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **did (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** H6213. This primitive root is broad in meaning, encompassing "to do or make" in the widest sense. In this context, it signifies Zedekiah's active performance of deeds and actions throughout his reign. It's not merely a passive state but an active engagement in conduct that is then assessed by God. The repetition of this verb ("did...had done") emphasizes the continuity of unrighteous action across generations of kings.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** H7451. This word denotes something "bad" or "evil," both naturally and morally. Here, it carries a strong moral and theological weight, signifying actions that are contrary to God's revealed will and covenant standards. It implies not just misfortune but wickedness, sin, and that which displeases the LORD. This "evil" includes idolatry, injustice, and rebellion against divine commands given through the prophets.
* **eyes (Hebrew, _ʻayin'_):** H5869. While literally referring to the physical organ, "in the eyes of" is an idiomatic expression signifying judgment, perspective, or approval/disapproval. "In the eyes of the LORD" means that God Himself, with His perfect knowledge and righteous standards, evaluated Zedekiah's conduct and found it morally corrupt and displeasing. It underscores the divine perspective as the ultimate arbiter of good and evil, rather than human opinion or political expediency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD":** This clause serves as a direct, divine verdict on King Zedekiah's reign. It is a standard formula used throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles to assess the spiritual and moral character of Israelite and Judean monarchs. "That which was evil" implies not just isolated acts, but a consistent pattern of behavior, decisions, and policies that violated God's covenant and moral law. The phrase "in the eyes of the LORD" emphasizes that this judgment is not a human opinion but God's own righteous assessment, indicating His displeasure and the king's failure to live up to his divine mandate.
* **"according to all that Jehoiakim had done.":** This comparative clause deepens the indictment by linking Zedekiah's wickedness directly to his predecessor, Jehoiakim. It suggests a continuity of sin and rebellion within the Judean monarchy, implying that Zedekiah not only committed evil acts but did so in a manner consistent with, or even following the example of, one of Judah's most notoriously wicked kings. This comparison highlights a failure to learn from past mistakes and a perpetuation of the very behaviors that had already brought divine judgment upon the nation. It underscores the severity of Zedekiah's actions by placing them within a lineage of profound unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 52:2 employs **Formulaic Language** common in the Deuteronomistic History, particularly the phrase "did that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD." This established literary convention immediately signals to the reader a divine judgment against the king, setting the tone for the subsequent narrative of national downfall. The verse also utilizes **Comparison** or **Analogy** by explicitly linking Zedekiah's actions to those of Jehoiakim. This comparison is a powerful rhetorical device, as Jehoiakim was already established as a paradigm of unrighteous rule and defiance against God's prophets. By drawing this parallel, the text amplifies the severity of Zedekiah's wickedness, implying a continuation of the same destructive path that had already brought Judah to the brink. This **Foreshadowing** suggests that Zedekiah's reign will likewise end in disaster, fulfilling the prophecies of judgment against persistent sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 52:2 profoundly illustrates the unwavering nature of God's moral standards and His consistent judgment against sin, particularly among those in positions of leadership. It reveals that God does not change His assessment of what is "evil," regardless of the individual or the era. The comparison to Jehoiakim underscores the theological principle of corporate and generational sin, where the unfaithfulness of one generation or leader can set a precedent or contribute to the moral decay that impacts subsequent generations, ultimately leading to divine discipline. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that human actions, especially those of leaders, are always under the scrutiny of a holy God, and persistent rebellion against His will inevitably leads to consequences.

* [2 Kings 21:2](/2_kings/21-2 "2 Kings 21:2 - Manasseh's Wickedness") - Manasseh, another king, "did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD."
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience") - Outlines the curses for disobedience to God's commands.
* [Proverbs 14:34](/proverbs/14-34 "Proverbs 14:34 - Righteousness Exalts a Nation") - "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 52:2 serves as a timeless warning about the profound impact of leadership and the enduring consequences of moral compromise and spiritual rebellion. Zedekiah's failure to learn from the disastrous example of Jehoiakim, and his continued pursuit of "evil in the eyes of the LORD," highlights the danger of repeating historical mistakes and ignoring divine warnings. For us today, this verse calls for a deep self-examination: are we learning from the past, both personally and corporately? Do we recognize and resist patterns of sin that have brought harm before? It underscores that true leadership, whether in the home, church, or society, is ultimately accountable to God's unchanging standards of righteousness and justice. Our actions, even those done in secret, are "in the eyes of the LORD," and it is His assessment that truly matters. This calls us to cultivate a heart that seeks to please God above all else, to heed His Word, and to courageously confront evil, rather than perpetuate it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or the leaders I follow, be repeating "evil in the eyes of the LORD" by failing to learn from past mistakes or ignoring clear divine warnings?**
* **How does the phrase "in the eyes of the LORD" challenge my perspective on what truly constitutes "good" or "evil" in my own life and in society?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my actions and decisions are aligned with God's standards, rather than conforming to worldly patterns of behavior?**

### FAQ
**What does "evil in the eyes of the LORD" mean in the Old Testament context?**

Answer: This phrase is a recurring theological judgment found throughout the historical books of the Old Testament, particularly in Kings and Chronicles. It signifies that a king or individual's actions, character, and policies were contrary to God's covenant, His revealed will, and His moral standards. It often encompassed idolatry, injustice, oppression, and disobedience to prophetic warnings. It's not merely a human assessment but a divine verdict, indicating God's displeasure and the violation of His holy nature. For example, King Manasseh is also described as doing "evil in the eyes of the LORD" in [2 Kings 21:2](/2_kings/21-2 "2 Kings 21:2 - Manasseh's Wickedness") due to his idolatrous practices.

**Why is Zedekiah compared specifically to Jehoiakim?**

Answer: Zedekiah is compared to Jehoiakim because Jehoiakim was a particularly egregious example of a wicked king in Judah's final years. Jehoiakim was known for his oppressive rule, his defiance of Jeremiah's prophecies (even burning the scroll of God's Word in [Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")), and his general unrighteousness. By comparing Zedekiah to Jehoiakim, the text emphasizes that Zedekiah continued a pattern of profound spiritual and moral corruption, failing to learn from the disastrous consequences that Jehoiakim's actions had already brought upon Judah. This comparison highlights the deep-seated nature of the monarchy's rebellion against God, which ultimately led to the Babylonian exile.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 52:2, with its stark declaration of Zedekiah's wickedness "in the eyes of the LORD," powerfully underscores humanity's universal need for a righteous King. The consistent failure of Judah's earthly monarchs, culminating in Zedekiah's replication of Jehoiakim's evil, demonstrates the inherent inability of human leadership to perfectly uphold God's standards and lead His people in righteousness. This persistent cycle of sin and judgment in the Old Testament narrative points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, the true and perfect King. Unlike Zedekiah, who did "evil in the eyes of the LORD," Jesus "always did what was pleasing to him" ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). He is the King who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")), never yielding to sin or rebellion. His reign is not marked by the destructive patterns of human kings but by justice, truth, and eternal life ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus takes away the sin that so plagued the kings of Judah, offering forgiveness and a new heart to all who believe, enabling them to live in a way that is truly pleasing "in the eyes of the LORD" ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Us")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant, establishing a kingdom that will never end and a reign of perfect righteousness ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Christ")).

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

1 Kings 14:22

And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done.

Jeremiah 26:21

And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt;

Jeremiah 26:23

And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.

Jeremiah 36:29

And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?

Jeremiah 36:31

And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.

2 Kings 24:19

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

2 Kings 24:20

For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.