Babylon Controls Jehoiakim

1During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) invaded. So Jehoiakim (YHWH raises up) became his vassal for three years, until he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.

2And the LORD {YHWH} sent Chaldean (Babylonian),a Aramean (exalted), Moabite (of his father), and Ammonite (tribal) raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah (praised), according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets. 3Surely this happened to Judah (praised) at the LORD’s {YHWH} command, to remove them from His presence because of the sins of Manasseh (causing to forget) and all that he had done, 4and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem (city of peace) with innocent blood, and the LORD {YHWH} was unwilling to forgive.

5As for the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim (YHWH raises up), along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (praised)?

Jehoiachin Reigns in Judah
(2 Chronicles 36:9–10)

6And Jehoiakim (YHWH raises up) rested with his fathers, and his son Jehoiachin (YHWH establishes) reigned in his place.

7Now the king of Egypt (land of bondage) did not march out of his land again, because the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) had taken all his territory, from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates (fruitfulness) River.

8Jehoiachin (YHWH establishes) was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta (brass) daughter of Elnathan (God has given); she was from Jerusalem. 9And he did evil in the sight of the LORD {YHWH}, just as his father had done.

The Captivity of Jerusalem
(Lamentations 1:1–22)

10At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) marched up to Jerusalem (city of peace), and the city came under siege. 11And Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) came to the city while his servants were besieging it. 12Jehoiachin (YHWH establishes) king of Judah (praised), his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing).

So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. 13As the LORD {YHWH} had declared, Nebuchadnezzar also carried off all the treasures from the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon (peace) king of Israel (he wrestles with God) had made in the temple of the LORD. 14He carried into exile all Jerusalem (city of peace)—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained.

15Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin (YHWH establishes) to Babylon (confusion by mixing), as well as the king’s mother, his wives, his officials, and the leading men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem (city of peace) to Babylon. 16The king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) also brought into exile to Babylon all seven thousand men of valor and a thousand craftsmen and metalsmiths—all strong and fit for battle.

17Then the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) made Mattaniah (gift of YHWH), Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous).

Zedekiah Reigns in Judah
(2 Chronicles 36:11–14; Jeremiah 52:1–3)

18Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal (father-in-law is protection) daughter of Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed); she was from Libnah (pavement).

19And Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD {YHWH}, just as Jehoiakim (YHWH raises up) had done. 20For because of the anger of the LORD {YHWH}, all this happened in Jerusalem (city of peace) and Judah (praised), until He finally banished them from His presence.

And Zedekiah also (YHWH is righteous) rebelled against the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing).