Zedekiah צִדְקִיָּ֫הוּ
False prophet in Babylon during the exile
Who is Zedekiah in the Bible?
Zedekiah was a false prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon during the time of Jeremiah, known for spreading lies and living an immoral life. Along with another false prophet named Ahab, he deceived the exiles by falsely predicting an early return from captivity, directly contradicting Jeremiah's warnings that the exile would last seventy years (Jeremiah 29:21-22). The prophet Jeremiah severely denounced both men, condemning not only their deceptive prophecies but also their adulterous conduct, declaring that Nebuchadnezzar would execute them by fire. Their names became proverbial curses in Israel, with people saying, "May the Lord make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire." This Zedekiah is distinct from the last king of Judah who bore the same name, and his story illustrates the Bible's serious warning against false prophets who prioritize comfort over truth.
Biography
Zedekiah was a false prophet who, along with another named Ahab, prophesied among the exiles in Babylon during the time of Jeremiah. They falsely predicted an early return from captivity, contradicting Jeremiah's prophecies. Jeremiah sternly rebuked them, not only for their false and reckless predictions but also for their immoral and adulterous lives. He declared that their fate at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar would become proverbial in Israel, with people using their names as a curse, saying, "May the Lord make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire." This Zedekiah is not to be confused with the king of the same name.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 2 verses
- Jeremiah 29:21
"This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you lies in My name: “I will deliver them to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 29:22
"Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | צִדְקִיָּ֫הוּ | ṣidĕqiyāh | Tsidkijah , the name of six Israelites |