King Jehoiachin (Judah)

Jehoiachin, also called Jeconiah or Coniah, became king after Jehoiakim and ruled only about three months before Babylon captured Jerusalem. He surrendered to King Nebuchadnezzar and was taken into exile along with the royal family, nobles, craftsmen, and many important people of Judah. This was one of the major stages of the Babylonian exile before the final destruction of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah spoke harshly about Jehoiachin, especially regarding the loss of royal stability, but his story ends with a small sign of hope: years later, in Babylon, he was released from prison and given a place of honor at the royal table. Jehoiachin is important because he represents the exiled Davidic royal line that survived in Babylon.