Jehoiakim
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Role: King of Judah (609–598 BC); son of Josiah; opponent of Jeremiah
- Key Passages: 2 Kings 23:34–24:6; Jeremiah 22:18–19; Jeremiah 36; Daniel 1:1–2
- Associated Book: 2 Kings, Jeremiah, Daniel
Summary
Jehoiakim (originally named Eliakim) was placed on the throne by Pharaoh Necho after the death of Jehoahaz, and renamed as a sign of Egyptian vassalage. He reigned 11 years and “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.” He is best known for his confrontation with Jeremiah: when Jeremiah’s scroll of prophecies was read to him in the winter house, Jehoiakim cut off each section with a penknife and burned it in the fireplace — a deliberate act of contempt for the word of God (Jeremiah 36). Jeremiah dictated the scroll again, adding more words of judgment.
Nebuchadnezzar came against him and took some of the temple vessels to Babylon, including among the captives the young Daniel and his three companions. Jehoiakim died in disgrace; Jeremiah prophesied that he would be “buried with the burial of an ass” — unlamented (Jeremiah 22:18–19).
Cross-References
- Jeremiah — the prophet Jehoiakim tried to silence by burning his scroll
- Daniel — among the first captives taken during Jehoiakim’s reign
- Nebuchadnezzar — the Babylonian king who made Jehoiakim a vassal
- Burning Scroll — the key event defining Jehoiakim’s legacy