Sedecias
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Sedecias in the Bible?
Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was installed as king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon in 597 BCE following the deportation of King Jehoiachin. He ruled until 586 BCE, when his rebellion against Babylonian authority resulted in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Zedekiah's political instability and ultimate failure clarifies the historical context of the prophetic warnings in Jeremiah and the narrative of national collapse in 2 Kings, illustrating the consequences of political defiance against imperial power during the late monarchic period.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Sedecias in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sedecias clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.