King Jehoiakim (Judah) (jan 1, 608 BC – jan 1, 598 BC)

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Jehoiakim was originally named Eliakim, but Pharaoh Necho renamed him Jehoiakim and placed him on the throne as an Egyptian vassal. Unlike his father Josiah, Jehoiakim was arrogant, oppressive, and strongly opposed to the prophet Jeremiah. He is especially remembered for cutting and burning Jeremiah’s scroll, showing open rejection of God’s warning. Jeremiah rebuked him for injustice, luxury built through oppression, and refusing to listen.

Politically, Jehoiakim first served Egypt, but after Babylon defeated Egypt at Carchemish in 605 BCE, Judah became subject to Babylon. Jehoiakim later rebelled against Babylon, which helped bring disaster closer. His reign marks the transition from Egyptian control to Babylonian domination, and spiritually he represents the rejection of the last prophetic warnings before the exile.

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