Bible Dictionaries
Zedekiah

Holman Bible Dictionary

(zehd eh ki' uh) Personal name meaning, “Yahweh is my righteousness” or “Yahweh is my salvation.” 1. False prophet who advised King Ahab to fight against Ramoth-gilead, assuring the king of victory (1 Kings 22:1 ). His prophecy conflicted with that of Micaiah, who predicted defeat. When Micaiah stated that God had put a lying spirit in the mouths of Zedekiah and his band of prophets, Zedekiah struck Micaiah on the cheek. Micaiah forecast that Zedekiah would feel the brunt of God's Spirit, but the text does not tell what became of the false prophet. See Micaiah; Prophet, False.

2. Last king of Judah (596-586 B.C.). Zedekiah was made king in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (2 Kings 24:17 ). When he rebelled, the Babylonian army besieged Jerusalem and destroyed it. Zedekiah was taken to Riblah along with his family. At Riblah he witnessed the executions of his sons before his own eyes were blinded (2 Kings 25:7 ). Then Zedekiah was taken to Babylon. He apparently died in captivity. See Israel .

3. Son either of Jehoiakim or Jeconiah (1 Chronicles 3:16 ), the Hebrew text being unclear at this point. 4. Signer of Nehemiah's covenant (1 Chronicles 10:1 ), spelled Zidkijah by KJV:5. Prophet who promised quick hope to Exiles in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:21 ). Jeremiah pronounced God's judgment on him. 6. Royal official in Jeremiah's day (Jeremiah 36:12 ).