Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 23:34

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Kings 23:34

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

2 Kings 23:34

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"And Pharaoh-necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim: but he took Jehoahaz away; and he came to Egypt, and died there." — 2 Kings 23:34 (ASV)

Turned his name to Jehoiakim. — A slight change. Eliakim means “El sets up;” Jehoiakim, “Jah sets up.” Necho intended to signify that the new king was his creature. Eliakim, the elder son, may have paid court to Necho; or the Egyptian may have deposed Jehoahaz, because he was elected without his consent, and perhaps because he was likely to prove a stronger king than his brother. Necho may have fancied a resemblance between the name Yahû (that is, Jah; as it was then pronounced) and Aah, the name of the Egyptian moon-god. (See Note on 1 Chronicles 4:18.)

And he came to Egypt, and died there. — The Septuagint and Vulgate, similar to Chronicles, read: and he brought him to Egypt (by a slight change of the pointing in the Hebrew). Jeremiah had foretold this (Jeremiah 22:10–12).