After Zedekiah’s sad and sorry story, we can read another case. 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah have a peculiar note of Jehoiachin’s release at age 55. It was during the 37th year of exile for the Judeans. Jeconiah or Jehoiachin was released from prison at the age of 55. I could imagine how Jehoiachin was probably expecting to die in prison. I think of the Boysen commercial way back in the 2000s. There was the prisoner who was locked up young and grew old in prison. Sure, it was a funny skit but it’s not funny if it happens to you or a loved one. The king after Nebuchadnezzar and before Belshazzar was Awel-Marduk, also known as Evilmerodach or Ewilmerodach. The king decided to release Jehoiachin to gain the favor of the Jews in exile. The dynasty of David survived even with the curse of Jeconiah. Sure, the kingdom of David is not yet back but we can read of God’s faithfulness.
The Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible writes the following which starts to give me yet another important history lesson:
28. seventh year–in 2 Kings 24:12 2 Kings 24:14 2 Kings 24:16 , it is said “the eighth year” of Nebuchadnezzar. No doubt it was in part about the end of the seventh year, in part about the beginning of the eighth. Also in 2 Kings 24:1-20 , ten thousand ( Jeremiah 52:14 ), and seven thousand men of might, and a thousand craftsmen ( Jeremiah 52:16 ), are said to have been carried away, But here three thousand twenty-three. Probably the latter three thousand twenty-three were of the tribe of Judah, the remaining seven thousand out of the ten thousand were of the other tribes, out of which many Israelites still had been left in the land. The a thousand “craftsmen” were exclusive of the ten thousand, as appears, by comparing 2 Kings 24:14 with Jeremiah 52:16 . Probably the three thousand twenty-three of Judah were first removed in the end of “the seventh year”; the seven thousand and a thousand craftsmen in the “eighth year.” This was at the first captivity under Jehoiachin.
29. eighteenth year–when Jerusalem was taken. But in Jeremiah 52:15 , and 2 Kings 25:8 , “the nineteenth year.” Probably it was at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth [LYRA].
eight hundred and thirty and two–The most illustrious persons are meant, who no doubt were carried away first, at the end of the eighteenth year.
30. Not recorded in Kings or Chronicles. Probably it took place during the commotions that followed the death of Gedaliah ( Jeremiah 41:18 , 2 Kings 25:26 ).
four thousand and six hundred–The exact sum-total of the numbers specified here, namely, three thousand twenty-three, eight hundred thirty-two, seven hundred forty-five, not including the general multitude and the women and children ( Jeremiah 52:15 , Jeremiah 39:9 , 2 Kings 25:11 ).
31. ( 2 Kings 25:27-30 ).
five and twentieth day–but in 2 Kings 25:27 , it is “the twenty-seventh day.” Probably on the twenty-fifth the decree for his elevation was given, and the preparations for it made by releasing him from prison; and on the twenty-seventh day it was carried into effect.
Evil-merodach–son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar [LYRA]; and the Hebrew writers say that during Nebuchadnezzar’s exclusion from men among beasts, Evil-merodach administered the government. When Nebuchadnezzar at the end of seven years was restored, hearing of his son’s misconduct and that he had exulted in his father’s calamity, he threw him into prison, where the latter met Jeconiah and contracted a friendship with him, whence arose the favor which subsequently he showed him. God, in his elevation, rewarded his having surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar (compare Jeremiah 38:17 with 2 Kings 24:12 ).
lifted up . . . head–(Compare Genesis 40:13 Genesis 40:20 , Psalms 3:3 , 27:6 ).
32. set his throne above–a mark of respect.
the kings–The Hebrew text reads (the other) kings.” “The kings” is a Masoretic correction.
33. changed . . . garments–gave him garments suitable to a king.
did . . . eat bread before him–( 2 Samuel 9:13 ).
34. every day a portion–rather, “its portion,” (compare 1 Kings 8:59 , Margin).
John Gill’s Exposition on the Whole Bible says the following:
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the
captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah
He was eighteen years of age when he was carried captive; so that he must be now fifty five years old; see ( 2 Kings 24:8 ) ; in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth [day] of the month;
in the month Adar, which answers to part of February, and part of March: in ( 2 Kings 25:27 ) ; the favour shown by the king of Babylon to Jeconiah, after related, is said to be in the twenty seventh day of the month; it might have been determined and notified on the twenty fifth, but not executed till the twenty seventh; or it might be begun to be put in execution on the twenty fifth, and not finished till the twenty seventh, The Jews, in their chronicle, say F14 that Nebuchadnezzar died on the twenty fifth, and was buried; that, on the twenty sixth, Evilmerodach took him out of his grave, and dragged him about, to abolish his decrees, and to confirm what is said of him in ( Isaiah 14:19 ) ; and on the twenty seventh he brought Jeconiah out of prison; but this is no reconciliation at all; the former is best; [that] Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the [first] year of his reign;
who succeeded Nebuchadnezzar, having reigned forty three years; this king is called by Ptolemy F15 Iloarudamus; by Abydenus F16 Evilmaluruch; by Josephus F17 Abilamarodach; but by Berosus F18 as here: his proper name was Merodach, a name of one of the Chaldean idols, ( Jeremiah 50:2 ) . “Evil” was a nickname, which signifies “foolish”; he was called “foolish Merodach”, on account of his ill conduct, or bad life: as soon as he came to the throne, he lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth
out of prison;
that is, he changed his condition for the better; he raised him out of a low estate to a more honourable one; he brought him out of a state of imprisonment and misery into a state of liberty and honour; what was the reason of this is not easy to say. The Jews have a tradition, that Nebuchadnezzar, after seven years’ madness, coming to himself, and to his kingdom, and understanding that his son Evilmerodach had been guilty of mal-administration during that time, and particularly that he rejoiced at his madness, cast him into prison, where he contracted a friendship with Jeconiah; and when he came to the throne, upon the death of his father, released him: but others think that Jeconiah being a comely young man, when he was brought a captive to Babylon, and about the age of this prince, he took a liking to him, and, pitying his case, showed him this favour, as soon as he had an opportunity.
And spake kindly unto him
Used him with great familiarity, treated him with great respect: or, “spake good things to him” F19; comforted him in his captive state, and promised him many favours; and was as good as his word: and set his throne above the throne of the kings that [were] with him
in Babylon;
these kings were either petty kings over the several provinces that belonged to the Chaldean monarchy, that were occasionally at Babylon; or rather the kings Nebuchadnezzar had conquered, and taken captive, as Jehoiachin; such as the kings of Moab, Ammon, Edom these, notwithstanding they were captives, had thrones of state, partly in consideration of their former dignity, and partly for the glory of the Babylonish monarch; now Jehoiachin’s throne was higher and more grand and stately than the rest, to show the particular respect the king of Babylon had for him.
There are some traditions (which we should eschew if they can’t agree with the Word of God). The details are in the study of history itself. I ignore any manmade traditions by the Jews such as their Talmud. So, the claim that Evilmerodach was guilty of maladministration is probably nothing more than a fable of a tradition than a biblical tradition. I think Gill’s statement that Evilmerodach decided to abolish the previous decrees. Maybe, that’s why historians call him Evilmerodach or Foolish Merodach which may have been translated from awil or ewil. I guess it’s only fair enough that evil is derived from ewil since wicked people have a high tendency to do foolishness for the sake of it.
It somehow still baffles me (even today) as to why would Evilmerodach decide to release Jehoiachin from prison. Even more, give Jehoiachin a position of esteem during the time of the Jewish Exile. Historically, Evilmerodach was later murdered by his brother-in-law, Nergal-sharezer. I guess the act of giving Jehoiachin that kind of honor may have incensed his own family. Yet, we see that Jehoiachin, a descendant of David, was given quite a privilege even after the curse that befell Jehoiakim which he was to be supposedly written childless.
A reference to Jesus’ legal genealogy will show us that there are some kings purposely omitted for a good reason. You may notice that Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah were not written. I guess it was because of the curse of the House of Ahab when Jehoram foolishly married Ahab’s and Jezebel’s wicked daughter Athaliah. Later, we realize that the name of Jehoiakim doesn’t appear at all! You may notice it says that Josiah begat Jeconiah or Jehoiachin. Isn’t it amazing that Matthew, for some reason, had purposely written out by showing groups of 14 generations? I think Matthew, in his purpose, also kept in mind the curse that befell Jehoiakim in Jeremiah 35. You can think of how the curse befell Jehoiakim was probably the reason why Matthew skipped another generation. Though, the effects of the curse were probably not as bad. Matthew, for some reason, wanted to show 14 generations, which was very important to him. Later, we see God’s providence going down the lineage.
What we read in Matthew 1 is also going down from Jeconiah down to Shealtiel (Ezra 3:2) down to Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was a godly descendant of the ungodly Jehoiakim. Josiah failed to raise good sons. However, out of Jeconiah (Josiah’s grandson) came out Josiah’s great-great-grandson Zerubbabel. Zerubabbel, like Ezra, was also a type of Christ. Did the actions of Zerubbabel eventually get the curse on Jehoiakim undone? Maybe, maybe not. But Jesus had a secure line of both His legal (through Joseph as his legal father) and Mary (his earthy mother). Joseph came from the line of David through Solomon. Mary came from the line of David through Nathan, another son of David and Bathsheba. Did God allow the release of Jehoiachin from prison for this special reason? Did the release of Jehoiachin (and eventually who sired Shealtiel the reason to have Zerubbabel born later on? It seems to be it. Regardless, I think God had good reasons to allow Jehoiachin (who was exiled for his wickedness) to be later released. Jehoiachin may have lost his legal claim to the throne (because of Jehoiakim’s bad influence). However, his grandson Zerubbabel would later lead Israel to another revival with Ezra the Levite. More interestingly, the high priest during the time of Zerubbabel was named Joshua. Joshua is Aramaic for Jesus. Also, from the line of Zerubbabel came the legal lineage of Jesus. It seems that God’s reason for releasing Jehoiachin from jail was so the promise of restoration could take place.
Right now, all I can do is speculate because God’s thoughts are not my thoughts. I believe God had a special reason to allow Jehoiachin to receive special mercy from a heathen king like Evilmerodach. I believe it’s all part of the grand special plan and preservation of Israel. Yet, so sad that today’s Israel has most of its citizens spitting in the face of God. Fortunately, God is still true to His promise regarding Israel. However, only saved people (Jew and Gentile alike) will be the true inheritors of the New Jerusalem after the end of the world.
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