Who Was Jehoiakim in the Bible — Meaning Explained

Jehoiakim, originally named Eliakim, was the second son of Josiah. After Josiah was killed at Megiddo, Pharaoh Necho deposed Josiah's chosen successor Jehoahaz and placed Eliakim on the throne, changing his name to Jehoiakim. He reigned eleven years over Judah. The Bible's assessment is blunt: 'He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God.' One of the most dramatic events of his reign involved the prophet Jeremiah. God commanded Jeremiah to write all His words on a scroll. Baruch the scribe wrote them down and read the scroll in the temple. When the princes heard it, they were alarmed and brought it to the king. Jehoiakim was sitting in his winter house with a fire burning before him. As each column was read, 'he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.' Neither the king nor his servants 'rent their garments' in repentance. Instead, he ordered the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch, though the Lord hid them. God declared through Jeremiah: 'He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.' Jehoiakim also oppressed his people grievously. He taxed Judah heavily to pay tribute first to Egypt and then to Babylon. He built an elaborate palace with forced labor, cutting corners on righteousness. When Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, Jehoiakim submitted and became his vassal for three years, then rebelled. He died before Jerusalem fell — possibly assassinated or executed by the Babylonians. His body was treated with contempt, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy. Jeremiah 22:18-19 records that he would be buried 'with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.' Jehoiakim's story is a stark contrast to his father Josiah. Where Josiah tore his clothes at God's Word, Jehoiakim burned it. Where Josiah humbled himself, Jehoiakim exalted himself. It is a sobering reminder of how quickly righteousness can be replaced by arrogance.