Meaning of ZEDEKIAH

"justice of Jehovah."
(a) Son of Quenaana. Along with other false prophets, he encouraged Ahab to attack Ramoth Gilead. Zedekiah slapped Micah for, in the name of Jehovah, he had prophesied Ahab's defeat. Micah announced the punishment that would fall on Zedekiah (1 Kings 22:11-25).

(b) Lying and immoral prophet, son of Maaseiah. Jeremiah predicted that Nebuchadnezzar would have him roasted alive (Jer. 29:21-23).

(c) Name given by Nebuchadnezzar to Mattaniah, son of Josiah, whom he placed on the throne of Judah. He reigned eleven years (598-587 BC), and was the last king of Judah. His reign was marked by evil.

He did not humble himself before the word of God through the prophet Jeremiah, and profaned the name of Jehovah by breaking the oath given to the king of Babylon. The chief priests and the people also lived in great impiety.

When Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, he allied himself with Egypt (cf. Ez. 17: 3-20). Egypt was defeated, and Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem.

Zedekiah was warned many times by Jeremiah against the course of action he had adopted; he was to submit to Babylon. For this reason, Jeremiah was severely persecuted by the princes of Judah.

When the city was finally taken, Zedekiah attempted to escape with his wives and children, but was captured. Two notable prophecies had been given about him: one, that Zedekiah would speak to the king of Babylon, and "his eyes will see his eyes" (Jer. 32:4), and the other, "I will take him to Babylon, to the land of Chaldeans, but he will not see it, and he will die there” (Ez. 12:13).

The fulfillment of it was that Zedekiah was brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where his sons were killed before him; Then they put out his eyes; He was then taken to Babylon in chains and imprisoned until his death (2 Kings 24:17, 20; 25:2, 7; 1 Chron. 3:15; 2 Chron. 36:10, 11; Jer. 1 :3; 21:1-7; 24:8; 27:3, 12; 28:1; 29:3; 32:1-5; 34:2-21; 37-39; 44:30; 49:34 ; 51:59; 52:1-11).