Who was Mattaniah?

The story of Mattaniah

Mattaniah, also known as Zedekiah, was a biblical figure who served as the last king of Judah. He was the son of Josiah and the brother of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. He was appointed king by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II in 597 BC.

During his reign, he was known for his disobedience to God and his refusal to heed the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah. He was eventually captured by the Babylonians and taken into exile in Babylon. Mattaniah is best known for his role in the fall of Jerusalem.

He was warned by Jeremiah to submit to the Babylonians, but he refused and instead sought help from the Egyptians. This led to the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in 587 BC, which resulted in the destruction of the city and the Temple. Mattaniah was taken captive and brought to Babylon, where he was blinded and died in exile.

Mattaniah's legacy is one of disobedience and destruction. He is remembered as a figure who failed to heed the warnings of God and brought about the destruction of Jerusalem. His story serves as a warning to those who refuse to obey God's commands.

Name meaning

Gift of Yahweh

Name origin

Hebrew

Role

High Priest

First mention

2 Kings 24:17

Appearances in the Bible

16 mentions

Questions about Mattaniah