Bible Figure

Jehoiakim

Male • Old Testament
18th king of Judah
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Jehoiakim was a son of Josiah installed as king by Pharaoh Neco whose reign saw growing Babylonian domination and open rejection of Jeremiah's prophetic word.
Jehoiakim

Biography

Originally named Eliakim, he was placed on Judah's throne by Pharaoh Neco and renamed Jehoiakim. He taxed the land to pay Egypt's tribute. After Babylon defeated Egypt's regional power, Jehoiakim became Nebuchadnezzar's vassal but later rebelled. Jeremiah portrays him as unjust and resistant to God's word. In a famous episode, Jeremiah dictated his prophecies to Baruch; as the scroll was read to Jehoiakim, the king cut off sections and burned them despite warnings from his officials. Jeremiah then dictated a replacement scroll with additional words. Babylonian and neighboring raiding forces increasingly afflicted Judah.

Biblical Significance

Jehoiakim personifies rejection of prophetic warning in Judah's final generation. Burning Jeremiah's scroll could not extinguish God's word; the message was rewritten and judgment continued to approach.