2 Kings 23:34 Meaning and Explanation
“And Pharaohnechoh 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Necho sets up another son of Josiah, Eliakim, renaming him Jehoiakim, and carries Jehoahaz off to die in Egypt.
What Does 2 Kings 23:34 Mean?
Pharaoh Necho installs Eliakim, another son of Josiah, as a puppet king, changing his name to Jehoiakim to mark his control over him. Jehoahaz is taken to Egypt, where he dies, never to return to his homeland.
To rename a king was to claim mastery over him; Judah's throne is now held at a foreign ruler's pleasure. The exile and death of Jehoahaz in a far land foreshadow the greater exile to come. Yet even here the line of David is preserved, and through it the promise of a King who cannot be unseated still moves toward its fulfillment.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 23:34
What does 2 Kings 23:34 mean?
Necho sets up another son of Josiah, Eliakim, renaming him Jehoiakim, and carries Jehoahaz off to die in Egypt.