Changes

== Accession ==

== Accession ==

Nebuchadnezzar placed Mattaniah on the throne in the eighth year of his, Nebuchadnezzar's reign.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=18|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Britannica>"[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9078296 Zedekiah]." ''Encyclopædia Britannica.'' 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael>"[http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/biography_Zedekiah.html King Zedekiah - Biography]." ''The Kings of Israel.'' Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=keyway>[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/roadsign.htm Wayne Blank], "[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010225.htm Entry for Zedekiah]," ''Church of God Daily Bible Study'', retrieved April 16, 2007</ref><ref name=WebBible>Matthew G. Easton and Paul S. Taylor, "[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/zedekiah.html Zedekiah]," ''[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/home.html WebBible Encyclopedia]'', retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=Columbia1>"[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0853321.html Entry for Zedekiah]", ''The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia.''© 1994, 2000-2006, on Infoplease. © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=Easton>Easton, Matthew George. "[http://www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries/EastonBibleDictionary/ebd.cgi?number=T3894 Entry for Zedekiah]." ''Easton's Bible Dictionary''. Retrieved April 16, 2007</ref><ref name=HSI/><ref name=Columbia2>"[http://www.bartleby.com/aol/65/ze/Zedekiah.html Entry for Zedekiah]." ''The Columbia Encyclopedia'', 6th ed. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=LTK1911>Anonymous. "[http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Zedekiah Entry for Zedekiah]". ''The Classic Encyclopedia''. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref> He changed Mattaniah's name to ''Zedekiah'', meaning ''justice'' of [[God]],<ref name=Zedekiah/> and compelled Zedekiah to swear an oath of allegiance to him ''in God's Name.''<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=36|verses=13|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael/>

Nebuchadnezzar placed Mattaniah on the throne in the eighth year of his, Nebuchadnezzar's reign.<ref name=Ussher/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=24|verses=18|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Britannica>"[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9078296 Zedekiah]." ''Encyclopædia Britannica.'' 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael>"[http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/biography_Zedekiah.html King Zedekiah - Biography]." ''The Kings of Israel.'' Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=keyway>[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/roadsign.htm Wayne Blank], "[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010225.htm Entry for Zedekiah]," ''Church of God Daily Bible Study'', retrieved April 16, 2007</ref><ref name=WebBible>Matthew G. Easton and Paul S. Taylor, "[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/zedekiah.html Zedekiah]," ''[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/home.html WebBible Encyclopedia]'', retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=Columbia1>"[http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0853321.html Entry for Zedekiah]", ''The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia.''© 1994, 2000-2006, on Infoplease. © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=Easton>Easton, Matthew George. "[http://www.biblestudytools.net/Dictionaries/EastonBibleDictionary/ebd.cgi?number=T3894 Entry for Zedekiah]." ''Easton's Bible Dictionary''. Retrieved April 16, 2007</ref><ref name=HSI/><ref name=Columbia2>"[http://www.bartleby.com/aol/65/ze/Zedekiah.html Entry for Zedekiah]." ''The Columbia Encyclopedia'', 6th ed. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=LTK1911>Anonymous. "[http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Zedekiah Entry for Zedekiah]". ''The Classic Encyclopedia''. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref> He changed Mattaniah's name to ''Zedekiah'', meaning ''justice'' of [[God]],<ref name=Zedekiah/> and compelled Zedekiah to swear an oath of allegiance to him ''in God's Name.''<ref name=KingsofIsrael/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=36|verses=13|version=NASB}}</ref>

== Domestic Policy ==

== Domestic Policy ==

Zedekiah showed little regard for God, and even less for the promises he made.<ref name=Britannica/><ref name=keyway/> The [[Bible]] plainly accuses him of doing "evil in the sight of [[YHWH]]." Not only he, but virtually the entire priestly class committed multiple sacrileges and other offenses, including the ceremonial pollution of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=36|verses=14|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher/><ref name=CCM>David Holt Boshert, Jr., and David Ettinger, [http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/kings/zedekiah.htm Zedekiah King of Judah], Christ-Centered Mall. Retrieved April 16, 2007</ref><ref name=WebBible/>

Zedekiah showed little regard for God, and even less for the promises he made.<ref name=Britannica/><ref name=keyway/> The [[Bible]] plainly accuses him of doing "evil in the sight of [[YHWH]]." Not only he, but virtually the entire priestly class committed multiple sacrileges and other offenses, including the ceremonial pollution of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]].<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=WebBible/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=36|verses=14|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=CCM>David Holt Boshert, Jr., and David Ettinger, [http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/kings/zedekiah.htm Zedekiah King of Judah], Christ-Centered Mall. Retrieved April 16, 2007</ref>

[[Jeremiah (prophet)|Jeremiah]] advised<ref name=WebBible/><ref name=Easton/><ref name=HSI/><ref name=Columbia2/> Zedekiah--and also the kings of [[Moab]], [[Ammon]], [[Sidon]], and [[Tyre]]--to submit to Nebuchadnezzar and stop listening to [[psychic]]s and [[Astrology|astrologers]] who repeatedly advised Zedekiah and the other kings ''not'' to submit.<ref name=ISBE>Genung, John Franklin. "[http://www.searchgodsword.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T9346 Entry for ZEDEKIAH (2)]". ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia'', James Orr, M.A., D.D. gen. ed. 1915. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref><ref name=Ussher/>

[[Jeremiah (prophet)|Jeremiah]] advised<ref name=HSI/><ref name=WebBible/><ref name=Easton/><ref name=Columbia2/> Zedekiah—and also the kings of [[Moab]], [[Ammon]], [[Sidon]], and [[Tyre]]—to submit to Nebuchadnezzar and stop listening to [[psychic]]s and [[Astrology|astrologers]] who repeatedly advised Zedekiah and the other kings ''not'' to submit.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE>Genung, John Franklin. "[http://www.searchgodsword.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T9346 Entry for ZEDEKIAH (2)]". ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia'', James Orr, M.A., D.D. gen. ed. 1915. Retrieved April 16, 2007.</ref>

=== Jeremiah's Letter ===

=== Jeremiah's Letter ===

In fact, all that Jeremiah encouraged the deportees to do was to conduct themselves as proper lawful and law-abiding residents of Babylon, and to await the proper season for their return, which would occur after a mandated seventy-year period (reckoned, according to Ussher, from the deportation of 607 BC) had elapsed for the land of Israel to have its sabbaths. Jeremiah also said that the deportees would have far greater blessing than those who were still in the Southern Kingdom territory at the time (or perhaps that those now left behind were more accursed).

In fact, all that Jeremiah encouraged the deportees to do was to conduct themselves as proper lawful and law-abiding residents of Babylon, and to await the proper season for their return, which would occur after a mandated seventy-year period (reckoned, according to Ussher, from the deportation of 607 BC) had elapsed for the land of Israel to have its sabbaths. Jeremiah also said that the deportees would have far greater blessing than those who were still in the Southern Kingdom territory at the time (or perhaps that those now left behind were more accursed).

As mentioned, Seraiah regarded this as seditious and so reported it to Zedekiah. Zedekiah read the accusatory letter to Jeremiah. Jeremiah replied by pronouncing a curse from God on his accuser.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=29|verses=1-23|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher/>

As mentioned, Seraiah regarded this as seditious and so reported it to Zedekiah. Zedekiah read the accusatory letter to Jeremiah. Jeremiah replied by pronouncing a curse from God on his accuser.<ref name=Ussher/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=29|verses=1-23|version=NASB}}</ref>

=== Hananiah's False Prophecy ===

=== Hananiah's False Prophecy ===

== Foreign Affairs ==

== Foreign Affairs ==

In Zedekiah's first year, representatives from [[Moab]], [[Ammon]], [[Tyre]], and [[Sidon]] visited Zedekiah and apparently proposed an alliance.<ref name=Wood/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=27|verses=1-3|version=NASB}}</ref>. Jeremiah warned specifically that such a coalition would never succeed. Little or nothing seems to have come of these meetings until much later.<ref name=ISBE/>

In Zedekiah's first year, representatives from [[Moab]], [[Ammon]], [[Tyre]], and [[Sidon]] visited Zedekiah and apparently proposed an alliance.<ref name=Wood/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=27|verses=1-3|version=NASB}}</ref> Jeremiah warned specifically that such a coalition would never succeed. Little or nothing seems to have come of these meetings until much later.<ref name=ISBE/>

In 594 BC, according to Ussher, [[Pharaoh]] Psammtik II died, and his son [[Apries]] began a twenty-five-year reign.<ref name=Ussher/> Very rapidly Apries marched out of Egypt and into [[Phoenicia]], where he captured [[Sidon]] before returning to Egypt with a great load of booty.<ref name=Ussher/> He was that ''Pharaoh-hophra'' in whom Zedekiah would repose his trust as he now, in this year, rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and suspended payment of his annual tribute.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Columbia1/><ref name=Easton/><ref name=HSI/><ref name=Columbia2/><ref name=ISBE/><ref name=LTK1911/> (Thiele's supporters insist that Apries did not succeed Psammtik II until 588 BC, two years before the [[Fall of Jerusalem]].<ref name=Wood/> Though this would be in accord with the role that Apries/Hophra is said to have played in delaying Nebuchadnezzar, this does not explain nearly as well the political change that suggested to Zedekiah that rebellion might actually succeed. After all, in Thiele's system, Apries/Hophra did not take command until the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign--and Zedekiah was plotting rebellion and sending secret messages to Egypt long before this.)

In 594 BC, according to Ussher, [[Pharaoh]] Psammtik II died, and his son [[Apries]] began a twenty-five-year reign.<ref name=Ussher/> Very rapidly Apries marched out of Egypt and into [[Phoenicia]], where he captured [[Sidon]] before returning to Egypt with a great load of booty.<ref name=Ussher/> He was that ''Pharaoh-hophra'' in whom Zedekiah would repose his trust as he now, in this year, rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and suspended payment of his annual tribute.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=HSI/><ref name=Columbia1/><ref name=Easton/><ref name=Columbia2/><ref name=LTK1911/><ref name=ISBE/> (Thiele's supporters insist that Apries did not succeed Psammtik II until 588 BC, two years before the [[Fall of Jerusalem]].<ref name=Wood/> Though this would be in accord with the role that Apries/Hophra is said to have played in delaying Nebuchadnezzar, this does not explain nearly as well the political change that suggested to Zedekiah that rebellion might actually succeed. After all, in Thiele's system, Apries/Hophra did not take command until the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign—and Zedekiah was plotting rebellion and sending secret messages to Egypt long before this.)

Three years later was a sabbatical year, when the law required the Israelites to set their slaves free.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=34|verses=8-10|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher/> In that year Nebuchadnezzar came into the Southern Kingdom and captured all the fortified cities except [[Lachish]], Azekah, and [[Jerusalem]]. In mid-winter, Nebuchadnezzar invested Jerusalem and built fortresses all around it.<ref name=WebBible/><ref name=ISBE/>

Three years later was a sabbatical year, when the law required the Israelites to set their slaves free.<ref name=Ussher/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=34|verses=8-10|version=NASB}}</ref> In that year Nebuchadnezzar came into the Southern Kingdom and captured all the fortified cities except [[Lachish]], Azekah, and [[Jerusalem]]. In mid-winter, Nebuchadnezzar invested Jerusalem and built fortresses all around it.<ref name=WebBible/><ref name=ISBE/>

Now Jeremiah predicted that Nebuchadnezzar would capture Jerusalem, arrest Zedekiah, and deport him, but that Zedekiah would die peacefully and have a proper burial. Furious, Zedekiah had Jeremiah imprisoned for sedition.<ref name=Ussher/>

Now Jeremiah predicted that Nebuchadnezzar would capture Jerusalem, arrest Zedekiah, and deport him, but that Zedekiah would die peacefully and have a proper burial. Furious, Zedekiah had Jeremiah imprisoned for sedition.<ref name=Ussher/>

The slaveowners apparently set their slaves free, as the sabbatical law required.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/> Then [[Apries]] came in force to attack Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had to break off his siege to deal with Apries.<ref name=ISBE/><ref name=LTK1911/> Nebuchadnezzar did send 832 prisoners to Babylon before he fought against Apries and chased him away.<ref name=Ussher/>

The slaveowners apparently set their slaves free, as the sabbatical law required.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/> Then [[Apries]] came in force to attack Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had to break off his siege to deal with Apries.<ref name=LTK1911/><ref name=ISBE/> Nebuchadnezzar did send 832 prisoners to Babylon before he fought against Apries and chased him away.<ref name=Ussher/>

While Nebuchadnezzar was dealing with Apries, the slaveowners of Jerusalem forced their slaves back into their previous condition of servitude.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/> Jeremiah reprimanded them severely for this, and said that their only chance to escape arrest and possible execution at the hands of the [[Chaldea]]ns was to release their slaves.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=34|verses=11-22|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher/>

While Nebuchadnezzar was dealing with Apries, the slaveowners of Jerusalem forced their slaves back into their previous condition of servitude.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/> Jeremiah reprimanded them severely for this, and said that their only chance to escape arrest and possible execution at the hands of the [[Chaldea]]ns was to release their slaves.<ref name=Ussher/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=34|verses=11-22|version=NASB}}</ref>

Jeremiah then tried to escape, but the nobles stopped him at the gate. Jeremiah was thrown into a dungeon, but eventually transferred to the court of the king's prison house.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=KingsofIsrael/>

Jeremiah then tried to escape, but the nobles stopped him at the gate. Jeremiah was thrown into a dungeon, but eventually transferred to the court of the king's prison house.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=KingsofIsrael/>

Zedekiah repeatedly asked Jeremiah for prophecies during this time. Jeremiah's answer was always the same: that the Southern Kingdom was doomed, and that everyone ought to submit to Nebuchadnezzar, who had direct license from God to conquer the kingdom.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/>

Zedekiah repeatedly asked Jeremiah for prophecies during this time. Jeremiah's answer was always the same: that the Southern Kingdom was doomed, and that everyone ought to submit to Nebuchadnezzar, who had direct license from God to conquer the kingdom.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/>

The princes were outraged and accused Jeremiah of high treason. They asked Zedekiah for permission to execute him, and Zedekiah told the nobles to do with Jeremiah as they saw fit. So they lowered Jeremiah into a muddy dungeon. But an [[Ethiopia]]n named [[Ebedmelech]] warned Zedekiah not to let Jeremiah die of starvation and thirst, so Zedekiah ordered Jeremiah lifted out of the mudhole and kept in the court. There Jeremiah remained until the city fell.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=39|verses=15-18|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/>

The princes were outraged and accused Jeremiah of high treason. They asked Zedekiah for permission to execute him, and Zedekiah told the nobles to do with Jeremiah as they saw fit. So they lowered Jeremiah into a muddy dungeon. But an [[Ethiopia]]n named [[Ebedmelech]] warned Zedekiah not to let Jeremiah die of starvation and thirst, so Zedekiah ordered Jeremiah lifted out of the mudhole and kept in the court. There Jeremiah remained until the city fell.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=39|verses=15-18|version=NASB}}</ref>

== Fall of Jerusalem, Exile, and Death ==

== Fall of Jerusalem, Exile, and Death ==

: ''Main Article: [[Fall of Jerusalem]]''

: ''Main Article: [[Fall of Jerusalem]]''

[[Nebuchadnezzar II]] was back in 589 BC and, according to Ussher, now began a siege that lasted precisely 390 days--almost exactly the number of years since the Division of the Kingdom between Kings [[Rehoboam]] and [[Jeroboam I]].<ref name=JeremiahLast>{{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=4|verses=4-6|version=NASB}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=52|verses=1-11|version=NASB}}</ref><ref name=Ussher/> During this time, famine set in, and eventually the city had no food within it at all.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=ISBE/><ref name=LTK1911/>

[[Nebuchadnezzar II]] was back in 589 BC and, according to Ussher, now began a siege that lasted precisely 390 days—almost exactly the number of years since the Division of the Kingdom between Kings [[Rehoboam]] and [[Jeroboam I]].<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=JeremiahLast>{{Bible ref|book=Ezekiel|chap=4|verses=4-6|version=NASB}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=52|verses=1-11|version=NASB}}</ref> During this time, famine set in, and eventually the city had no food within it at all.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=LTK1911/><ref name=ISBE/>

Finally Nebuchadnezzar's army breached the walls and entered the city. Zedekiah and all the soldiers fled by night. This, however, was unavailing. A Chaldean war patrol chased them, caught them, and brought them to Nebuchadnezzar's camp at Riblah. There Nebuchadnezzar forced Zedekiah to watch as he executed all of Zedekiah's sons. Nebuchadnezzar then had Zedekiah blinded and chained for deportation to Babylon. In that city, after an unknown number of years, Zedekiah died, a miserable and broken man.<ref name=JeremiahLast/><ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Britannica/><ref name=KingsofIsrael/><ref name=keyway/><ref name=WebBible/><ref name=Columbia1/><ref name=Easton/><ref name=HSI/><ref name=Columbia2/><ref name=ISBE/><ref name=LTK1911/>

Finally Nebuchadnezzar's army breached the walls and entered the city. Zedekiah and all the soldiers fled by night. This, however, was unavailing. A Chaldean war patrol chased them, caught them, and brought them to Nebuchadnezzar's camp at Riblah. There Nebuchadnezzar forced Zedekiah to watch as he executed all of Zedekiah's sons. Nebuchadnezzar then had Zedekiah blinded and chained for deportation to Babylon. In that city, after an unknown number of years, Zedekiah died, a miserable and broken man.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=HSI/><ref name=Britannica/><ref name=KingsofIsrael/><ref name=keyway/><ref name=WebBible/><ref name=Columbia1/><ref name=Easton/><ref name=Columbia2/><ref name=LTK1911/><ref name=ISBE/><ref name=JeremiahLast/>

== An Extrabiblical Allegation Involving Zedekiah ==

== An Extrabiblical Allegation Involving Zedekiah ==

*3.  The son of Hananiah (Jer_36:12). One of the princes of Judah before whom Jeremiah's roll was read in the 5th year of Jehoiakim.

*3.  The son of Hananiah (Jer_36:12). One of the princes of Judah before whom Jeremiah's roll was read in the 5th year of Jehoiakim.

*4.  One of the officials who sealed the renewed covenant (Neh_10:1, the King James Version “Zid-kijah”). The fact that his name is coupled with Nehemiah's suggests that he was a person of importance. But nothing further is known of him.<ref> International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/Z/ZEDEKIAH+(1)</ref>

*4.  One of the officials who sealed the renewed covenant (Neh_10:1, the King James Version “Zid-kijah”). The fact that his name is coupled with Nehemiah's suggests that he was a person of importance. But nothing further is known of him.<ref>International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/Z/ZEDEKIAH+(1)</ref>

== References ==

== References ==

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}

== See Also ==

== See also ==

* [[Josiah]]

* [[Josiah]]

* [[Jehoiakim]]

* [[Jehoiakim]]

* [[Biblical chronology dispute]]

* [[Biblical chronology dispute]]

[[category:Kings of Israel]]

[[Category:Kings of Israel]]