Zedekiah
Two biblical figures: a false prophet and Judah's last king.
Zedekiah is the name of two distinct figures in the Hebrew Bible. One is a false prophet, the son of Chenaanah, who made iron horns and prophesied victory against Syria (1 Kings 22:11; 2 Chronicles 18:10). The other is the last king of Judah, son of Josiah, who reigned eleven years in Jerusalem and was taken captive by Babylon (2 Kings 24:17-18; 2 Chronicles 36:10-11; Jeremiah 1:3).
Quick Facts
- Length of reign
- 11 years (2 Kings 24:18, 2 Chronicles 36:11, Jeremiah 1:3)
- Mother's name
- Hamutal, daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah (2 Kings 24:18)
- Fate
- Sons slain
- eyes put out
- bound in brass
- carried to Babylon (2 Kings 25:7)
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).
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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