Keraia
2 Kings 23

2 Kings 23:34

Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah · 2 Kings 23:31–35
Read 2 Kings 23

Translations

Modern
Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died.
Traditional
And Pharaoh–nechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.
Literal
And Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of Josiah his father, and he turned his name to Jehoiakim. And he took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, and he died there.
Latin
Regemque constituit Pharao Nechao Eliacim filium Josiæ pro Josia patre ejus: vertitque nomen ejus Joakim. Porro Joachaz tulit, et duxit in Ægyptum, et mortuus est ibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died.

Notes

2 Kings 23:34

Eliakim … Jehoiakim: Neco followed the Assyrian tradition of demanding a loyalty oath and giving a new name to the local leader.

2 Kings 23:31–34

  • Jehoahaz was originally named Shallum at birth (see study note on 1 Chronicles 3:15). His throne name, Jehoahaz, has been found on seals from the 600s BC. He became king at twenty-three, while his brother Jehoiakim was twenty-five (2 Kings 23:36). There is no explanation for why the younger brother became king.

  • Jehoahaz reigned for three months in 609 BC, possibly during the time when Pharaoh Neco was trying to help the Assyrians (2 Kings 23:29).

Theme notes and profiles

The Collapse of Culture

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 36:1–4

People

Jehoahaz: King of Judah, son of Josiah Jehoiakim: King of Judah, son of Josiah Josiah: King of Judah known for his religious reforms Neco: Egyptian Pharaoh during the reigns of Josiah and Jehoiakim

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Eliakim Ezekiel, Book of Jehoahaz Jehoiakim Kings, Books of First and Second Kohath, Kohathites Meaning of Names in the Bible Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar Necho, Nechoh, Neco, Necoh

Topics

Egypt: The Armies of Deposed Jehoahaz and Made Judea Tributary Egyptians: Invade the Land of Israel: Under Pharaoh-Necho Eliakim: Original Name of Jehoiakim, King of Judah Israel, Prophecies Concerning: Josiah is Succeeded by Jehoahaz Jehoahaz: Pharaoh-Necho, King of Egypt, Invades the Kingdom of, Defeats Him Jehoiakim: Wicked Reign and Final Overthrow of Jerusalem: Calamities of, Mentioned: Taken and Made Tributary by Pharaoh-Necho Kings: Names of, often Changed at Their Accession Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jehoiakim Pharaoh: Pharaoh-Necho: His Invasion of Assyria, Josiah's Death