◄ 2 Kings 24:17 ►
Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Study Bible
Then the king of Babylon
This phrase refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, the powerful ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar is known for his military conquests and the expansion of his empire, which included the subjugation of Judah. His influence over Judah signifies the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah, who foretold the Babylonian captivity as a consequence of Judah's persistent disobedience to God.

made Mattaniah
Mattaniah, whose name means "Gift of Yahweh" in Hebrew, was a member of the royal family of Judah. His appointment by Nebuchadnezzar indicates the Babylonian strategy of installing puppet kings to maintain control over conquered territories. This act underscores the loss of Judah's sovereignty and serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant.

Jehoiachin’s uncle
Mattaniah was the brother of Jehoiakim and the uncle of Jehoiachin, the previous king. This familial connection highlights the continuity of Davidic lineage, even amidst political upheaval. Despite the external control by Babylon, the Davidic line remains intact, pointing to God's enduring promise to David that his descendants would continue to rule, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

king in his place
The installation of Mattaniah as king in place of Jehoiachin signifies a change in leadership under Babylonian authority. This transition marks a significant moment in Judah's history, as it reflects the shift from a semi-autonomous kingdom to a vassal state under foreign domination. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of national sin and the importance of faithfulness to God.

and changed his name to Zedekiah
The renaming of Mattaniah to Zedekiah, meaning "The Lord is Righteous," is significant both politically and theologically. In ancient Near Eastern culture, renaming often symbolized authority and control. Nebuchadnezzar's act of renaming Mattaniah signifies his dominance over Judah. Theologically, the name Zedekiah serves as an ironic reminder of God's righteousness and justice, which Judah had failed to uphold. Despite the dire circumstances, the name points to the hope of restoration and the ultimate righteousness found in God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King of Babylon
Refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, the powerful ruler of the Babylonian Empire, who exerted control over Judah during this period.

2. Mattaniah
The son of Josiah and uncle to Jehoiachin, who was appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar and renamed Zedekiah.

3. Jehoiachin
The previous king of Judah, who was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, leading to the appointment of Zedekiah.

4. Zedekiah
The new name given to Mattaniah by Nebuchadnezzar, signifying his subjugation and the Babylonian influence over Judah.

5. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was under Babylonian control during this time.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Leadership Changes
Even when political changes seem driven by human ambition, God remains sovereign. The appointment of Zedekiah, though orchestrated by Nebuchadnezzar, was within God's permissive will.

The Importance of Obedience to God
Zedekiah's reign is marked by disobedience to God's commands, as seen in his refusal to heed prophetic warnings. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning our actions with God's will.

Consequences of Rebellion
Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon, despite prophetic counsel, led to dire consequences for Judah. This illustrates the broader principle that rebellion against God's established order often leads to negative outcomes.

Identity and Influence
The renaming of Mattaniah to Zedekiah symbolizes the influence of foreign powers. Believers are reminded to find their identity in Christ, resisting worldly pressures that seek to redefine them.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the appointment of Zedekiah by Nebuchadnezzar demonstrate God's sovereignty over political affairs?

2. In what ways can Zedekiah's failure to listen to prophetic counsel serve as a warning for us today?

3. How does the renaming of Mattaniah to Zedekiah reflect the influence of external powers, and how can Christians maintain their identity in Christ amidst worldly pressures?

4. What lessons can we learn from Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon about the consequences of not following God's guidance?

5. How do the accounts in Jeremiah and Ezekiel provide a fuller understanding of Zedekiah's reign and its implications for Judah?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 37-39
These chapters provide further insight into Zedekiah's reign and his interactions with the prophet Jeremiah, highlighting the challenges he faced and his eventual downfall.

Ezekiel 17:11-21
This passage uses a parable to describe the political situation involving Zedekiah, emphasizing his rebellion against Babylon and the consequences thereof.

2 Chronicles 36:10-13
Offers a parallel account of Zedekiah's appointment and reign, underscoring his disobedience to God and the resulting judgment.
Sermons
The First General CaptivityJ. Orr 2 Kings 24:10-20
People
Elnathan, Hamutal, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Mattaniah, Moabites, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehushta, Solomon, Syrians, Zedekiah
Places
Babylon, Brook of Egypt, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Libnah
Topics
Babylon, Brother, Causeth, Changed, Changing, Father's, Jehoiachin, Jehoiachin's, Jehoi'achin's, Mattaniah, Mattani'ah, Reign, Stead, Turneth, Uncle, Zedekiah, Zedeki'ah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 24:17

     5044   names, giving of

2 Kings 24:10-17

     4215   Babylon
     5272   craftsmen

2 Kings 24:10-20

     6026   sin, judgment on

Library
The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

Extracts No. vi.
[Here twelve pages or more of the objector's manuscript are omitted, as the nature of his arguments will pretty fully appear in the reply; and as he has been obliged to rescind the ground he had taken, it is not expedient to publish his remarks. That the reader may see a little of the manner, however, in which he has given up his part of the argument, the following is inserted.] "Speaking however on the evidences of revelation, you have stated some things worthy of serious consideration; which if …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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