Zedekiah the son of Josiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah, reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s easy to miss is that Zedekiah, the new king, wasn't chosen by God or the people of Judah, but was appointed by the Babylonian king. This highlights that his reign, from its very beginning, was under foreign domination, setting the stage for the difficult times Jeremiah's prophecies addressed.
Zedekiah the son of Josiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah, reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter opens by introducing Zedekiah as the new king of Judah, appointed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the previous ruler, Coniah (also known as Jehoiachin), was deposed. This sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow during the final siege of Jerusalem, highlighting Zedekiah's flawed leadership and his complicated relationship with the prophet Jeremiah.
Why would a conquering king change the name of the ruler he appointed? And what does this reveal about Zedekiah's true position?
This verse introduces Zedekiah, but it also mentions his predecessor, Coniah (also known as Jeconiah). The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, didn't just conquer Judah; he actively reshaped its leadership. He deposed Coniah and installed Zedekiah.
It's significant that Zedekiah's original name was Mattaniah, meaning 'Gift of God.' Nebuchadnezzar changed it to Zedekiah, meaning 'Yahweh is Righteousness.' This wasn't just a renaming; it was a political maneuver. It served to legitimize Nebuchadnezzar's authority – suggesting his choice of king aligned with God's will – and to emphasize Zedekiah's subservience. Zedekiah was a pawn, not a true sovereign, placed on the throne by foreign power and branded with a name that served Babylon's agenda.
The verse calls Zedekiah 'king in the land of Judah.' What does this phrasing suggest about the reality of his power?
While Zedekiah is called 'king,' the phrase 'in the land of Judah' is crucial. It signals that Judah's sovereignty was a facade. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was the ultimate authority. He installed Zedekiah, effectively making him a vassal ruler.
This wasn't a situation where Judah chose its own king; it was a puppet government. The prophetic narrative that follows in Jeremiah (chapters 37-44) unfolds against this backdrop of Judah's desperate, and ultimately doomed, attempts to break free from Babylonian control, often encouraged by false hopes from Egypt. Zedekiah's reign, from its very inception, was defined by foreign domination and a precarious political tightrope walk.
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This verse introduces Zedekiah's reign, which began under Babylonian control after the deportation of his predecessor, Jehoiachin. His reign is marked by a disastrous rebellion against Babylon, influenced by Egyptian promises, ultimately leading to Jerusalem's destruction and further exile.
605 BC
First Deportation of Judah to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Judah and deports many prominent citizens, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Babylonian dominance over Judah.
597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation and Transfer of Kingship
After a brief rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah or Coniah) and thousands more to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar then installs Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, as king over Judah, intending him to be a vassal.
c. 589-588 BC
Judah Revolts Against Babylon
Despite Jeremiah's warnings, Zedekiah breaks his treaty with Babylon and allies with Egypt, leading Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem again.
c. 588 BC
Egyptian Army Briefly Relieves Jerusalem
An Egyptian army marches to support Judah, causing the Babylonian forces to temporarily withdraw from Jerusalem's siege. This respite fuels false hope among the Judeans.
c. 588 BC
Babylonian Army Returns to Besiege Jerusalem
The Egyptian army is defeated, and the Babylonians return to Jerusalem, resuming their relentless siege. The city faces starvation and despair.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
After a prolonged siege, Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. Zedekiah is captured, blinded, and deported to Babylon, and the temple is destroyed, marking the end of the Davidic kingdom.
This passage provides the historical context for Zedekiah's ascension to the throne, explaining that he was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar and was related to the previous king, Jehoiachin (Coniah).
2 Chronicles 36:10Similar to 2 Kings 24:17, this verse confirms Zedekiah's installation as king by the Babylonians, highlighting the transition of power and the foreign dominion over Judah.
Jeremiah 22:24-30This passage directly addresses Coniah (Jehoiakim's son) with a prophecy of his exile, contrasting his fate with that of Zedekiah, who was made king in his place, showing the consequence of disobedience.
Ezekiel 17:11-21This prophetic oracle critiques Zedekiah's covenant with Egypt and his rebellion against Babylon, revealing the spiritual and political factors leading to Judah's downfall, which began under Zedekiah's rule.
pooleJeremiah 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."
The Egyptians raise the siege of the Chaldeans; and king Zedekiah sendeth to Jeremiah, to pray and inquire of the Lord for them, Jeremiah 37:1-5 . He prophesieth the Chaldeans’ return and victory, Jeremiah 37:6-10 . He is apprehended for a fugitive, beaten, and put into prison, Jeremiah 37:11-15 . He assureth Zedekiah of the cap…
barnesJeremiah 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."
It is evident that Zedekiah was well affected toward Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 37-38 , dealing with events during the siege of Jerusalem, we have an account of his relations with Jeremiah and of the prophet's personal history up to the capture of the city.
What’s easy to miss is that Zedekiah, the new king, wasn't chosen by God or the people of Judah, but was appointed by the Babylonian king. This highlights that his reign, from its very beginning, was under foreign domination, setting the stage for the difficult times Jeremiah's prophecies addressed.
This chapter opens by introducing Zedekiah as the new king of Judah, appointed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the previous ruler, Coniah (also known as Jehoiachin), was deposed. This sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow during the final siege of Jerusalem, highlighting Zedekiah's flawed leadership and his complicated relationship with the prophet Jeremiah.
This chapter opens by introducing Zedekiah as the new king of Judah, appointed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after the previous ruler, Coniah (also known as Jehoiachin), was deposed. This sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow during the final siege of Jerusalem, highlighting Zedekiah's flawed leadership and his complicated relationship with the prophet Jeremiah.
"Zedekiah the son of Josiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah, reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim." — What’s easy to miss is that Zedekiah, the new king, wasn't chosen by God or the people of Judah, but was appointed by the Babylonian king. This highlights that his reign, from its very beginning, was…
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Last reviewed October 2026