Zedekiah

Lore & Background

The false prophet Zedekiah son of Chenaanah appears in the court of King Ahab, where he creates iron horns and declares that Israel will push Syria until consumed (1 Kings 22:11; 2 Chronicles 18:10). When the prophet Micaiah predicts disaster, Zedekiah strikes him on the cheek and challenges the source of Micaiah's prophecy (1 Kings 22:24; 2 Chronicles 18:23). King Zedekiah, son of Josiah, was placed on the throne of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who changed his name from Mattaniah (2 Kings 24:17). He reigned during the final years of the kingdom, rebelling against Babylon despite warnings from the prophet Jeremiah (2 Kings 24:20; Jeremiah 27:12). Jeremiah prophesied that Zedekiah would be delivered into Nebuchadnezzar's hand, would speak with him face to face, and would be led to Babylon (Jeremiah 32:4-5). During his reign, Jerusalem was besieged and fell in the eleventh year (2 Kings 25:2). Zedekiah's sons were killed before his eyes, then his eyes were put out, and he was bound in bronze fetters and taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:7). Another man named Zedekiah, son of Maaseiah, is mentioned as a false prophet roasted in fire by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 29:21-22).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray two distinct Zedekiahs, both associated with false prophecy or rebellion. The false prophet Zedekiah son of Chenaanah is depicted as a confident, aggressive figure who physically assaults the true prophet Micaiah and claims divine inspiration (1 Kings 22:24; 2 Chronicles 18:23). His iron horns symbolize military aggression, but his prophecy is contradicted by Micaiah's word from the Lord (1 Kings 22:11). King Zedekiah is portrayed as a weak and ultimately tragic ruler. He is installed by Babylon (2 Kings 24:17), rebels against his overlord (2 Kings 24:20), and seeks Jeremiah's counsel but also imprisons him (Jeremiah 32:3). Despite receiving clear warnings to submit to Babylon (Jeremiah 27:12), he persists in rebellion, leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and his own horrific punishment: the slaughter of his sons and his own blinding (2 Kings 25:7). The prophet Jeremiah repeatedly declares that Zedekiah's fate is sealed by divine judgment (Jeremiah 21:7, 24:8, 32:4-5). A third Zedekiah, son of Maaseiah, is a false prophet executed by Nebuchadnezzar, his name becoming a curse (Jeremiah 29:21-22).

Did You Know?

• The false prophet Zedekiah son of Chenaanah struck the prophet Micaiah on the cheek (1 Kings 22:24; 2 Chronicles 18:23).
• King Zedekiah was originally named Mattaniah before Nebuchadnezzar changed it (2 Kings 24:17).
• King Zedekiah's sons were killed before his eyes, and then his own eyes were put out (2 Kings 25:7).
• A third Zedekiah, son of Maaseiah, was roasted in fire by the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 29:21-22).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Zedekiah (618 BC – after 586 BC) was the twentieth and final King of Judah before the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon." — Zedekiah "Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah." — Zedekiah "So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine had become so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land." — Zedekiah