And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

2 KINGS 23:34KJV
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2 Kings 23:34 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 23:34 mean?

2 Kings 23:34 describes how Pharaoh Necho of Egypt removed Jehoahaz from being king of Judah, took him away to Egypt, and made Eliakim, another son of Josiah, the new king, changing Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. The verse also notes that Jehoahaz died in Egypt after being taken there.

This verse takes place after the death of King Josiah of Judah. Pharaoh Necho (the Egyptian king) had power over Judah at this time and decided who would rule. By changing Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim, Pharaoh Necho was showing his authority over the new king. The verse highlights the loss of Judah’s independence and the personal tragedy for Jehoahaz, who was taken from his homeland and died in a foreign country.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 23:34

  • פַּרְעֹה נְכוֹ (Par‘ōh Nĕkhō, "Pharaoh Nechoh"): This is the Egyptian king who exerts control over Judah, emphasizing the shift in power from Judah’s own kings to foreign rulers.
  • סָבַב (sāvav, "turned"): This word is used for changing Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim, which often signified a new identity or allegiance, showing Pharaoh’s dominance over him.
  • לָקַח (lāqach, "took"): Used twice, first for Pharaoh taking Jehoahaz away and again for Jehoahaz being taken to Egypt, underlining the forced removal and lack of agency for the former king.
  • מֵת (mēt, "died"): This word makes clear Jehoahaz’s fate in Egypt, ending his story in exile rather than in his homeland.

Why 2 Kings 23:34 matters

  • This verse shows how Judah was no longer independent but subject to foreign powers, with its king chosen and renamed by Egypt’s ruler.
  • The renaming of Eliakim to Jehoiakim signals a loss of royal dignity and autonomy, as names in the ancient world often reflected authority and destiny.
  • The removal and death of Jehoahaz in Egypt fulfill earlier warnings to Israel about the consequences of turning from God, connecting this moment to the broader story of decline and exile in the books of Kings.

Where else these words appear

“Pharaohnechoh” Hebrew H6549 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:29 In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
  • 2 Kings 23:33 And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
  • 2 Kings 23:35 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh.

“Eliakim” Hebrew H471 · used in 12 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
  • 2 Kings 19:2 And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
  • Isaiah 36:3 Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder.

“Jehoahaz” Hebrew H3059 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Kings 10:35 And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

“Jehoiakim” Hebrew H3079 · used in 37 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:35 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh.
  • Jeremiah 22:18 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
  • Jeremiah 36:1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,