- 158-
exclusively to the male population. But this is, critically, not an easy passage, on the
discussion of which we cannot enter in this place.
Considering that the total population of Jerusalem at that time - including women and
children - is only calculated at between 50,000 and 60,000 souls, only a sparse remnant
can have been left behind - and that wholly composed of "the poorest sort of the people
of the land." Among the captives was also the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:1, 2; 40:1,
comp. Jeremiah 29:1).
We may as well here relate the sequel of Jehoiachin's history. For thirty-seven years he
lingered in a Babylonian prison. At the end of that period Evil-merodach ("the man of
Merodach"), the son and successor of Nebuchadrezzar, showed him favor. Selected from
out the other captive kings he was restored to rank, admitted to the royal table as one of
the vassals at the court of the Babylonian monarch, and had a regular allowance assigned
to him suited to the wants of his family and establishment. This continued till his death,
the date of which is uncertain (2 Kings 25:27-30; Jeremiah 52:31, 34).*
- Jewish legend speaks of the religious conversion of Jehoiachin (comp.Bar. 1., 3-7). The
learned reader will find the detailed story, which is not very savoury, in Vayyik. R'. 19,
end.
We now rapidly near the close of this history. On his departure from Jerusalem
Nebuchadrezzar had, with singular generosity, appointed a king of the old Davidic
lineage. His choice had fallen on Mattaniah ("the gift of Jehovah"), whose name was
changed* into Zedekiah ("the righteousness of Jehovah").
- As that of Eliakim had been changed by Necho, comp. 2 Kings 23:34. We take this
view rather than that the new king professed to be the fulfiller of the prophecy, Jeremiah
23:5-8.
The new king was the uncle of Jehoiachin, being the youngest son of Josiah by the same
mother as Jehoahaz (comp. 2 Kings 23:31). The eleven years of his reign may be
summed up in the brief formula which described that of Jehoiakim, as of so many others:
"he did the evil in the sight of Jehovah." And significantly the sacred text adds: "For
because of the anger of Jehovah did it come to pass in Jerusalem and in Judah, until He
cast them out from His presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the King of Babylon" (2
Kings. 24:20).*
- So, correctly rendered. The concluding sentence in the verse forms the final
commentary on that which precedes it.
The "rebellion" of Zedekiah was the more culpable and aggravated that he had taken a
solemn oath of fidelity to Nebuchadrezzar (2 Chronicles 36:13; Ezekiel 17:13). The
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