Bible Dictionary
Eliakim
Eliakim is the name of several biblical men, including a royal official under Hezekiah, a king of Judah originally named Eliakim, and ancestors of Jesus. The royal official served as governor over the palace and represented Hezekiah before the Assyrians.
Definition
Eliakim was a name borne by several biblical men. The most prominent was the son of Hilkiah, governor over Hezekiah’s palace and a leading representative of the king before the Assyrians. Eliakim was also the original name of Jehoiakim and the name of several men in genealogies and priestly records.
Biblical Usage
The son of Hilkiah received authority over the royal house, represented Hezekiah before the Assyrian officers, and carried Hezekiah’s appeal to Isaiah. Jehoiakim was originally named Eliakim, and other Eliakims appear among priests and ancestors of Jesus.
Historical Background
The palace governor was clothed with the insignia of office and held the key of the house of David, symbolizing authority to open and shut. The office existed under Israelite and Judean kings.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Whom God will raise up. (1.) The son of Melea (Luke 3:30), and probably grandson of Nathan. (2.) The son of Abiud, of the posterity of Zerubbabel (Matt. 1:13). (3.) The son of Hilkiah, who was sent to receive the message of the invading Assyrians and report it to Isaiah (2 Kings 18:18; 19:2; Isa. 36:3; 37:2). In his office as governor of the palace of Hezekiah he succeeded Shebna (Isa. 22:15-25). He was a good man (Isa. 22:20; 2 Kings 18:37), and had a splendid and honourable career. (4.) The original name of Jehoiakim, king of Judah (2 Kings 23:34). He was the son of Josiah.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(raised up by God.).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>e-li'-a-kim ('elyaqim; Eliakeim, "God sets up"):</p><p>(1) The son of Hilkiah who succeeded Shebna as gorvernor of the palace and "grand vizier" under Hezekiah (Isa 22:20). The functions of his office are seen from the oracle of Isaiah in which Shebna is deposed and Eliakim set in his place (Isa 22:15 ff). He is the "treasurer" (the Revised Version, margin "steward"), and is "over the house" (Isa 22:15).</p><p>At his installation he is clothed with a robe and girdle, the insignia of his office, and, having the government committed into his hand, is the "father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah" (Isa 22:21). The key of the house of David is laid on his shoulder, and he alone has power to open and shut, this being symbolic of his absolute authority as the king's representative (Isa 22:22).</p><p>One of Solomon's officials is the first mentioned as occupying this position (1Ki 4:6), and this office was continued in both the Northern and Southern Kingdom (1Ki 16:9; 18:3; 2Ki 10:5; 15:5). Its importance is seen from the fact that after Azariah was smitten with leprosy, Jotham his heir "was over the household, judging the people of the land" (2Ki 15:5).</p><p>When Sennacherib sent an army against Jerusalem in 701, Eliskim was one of these Jewish princes who held on behalf of Hezekiah a parley with the Assyrian officers (2Ki 18:18,26,37; Isa 36:3,11,22). As a result of the invader's threats, he was sent by Hezekiah in sackcloth to Isaiah, entreating his prayers to Yahweh on behalf of Jerusalem (2Ki 19:2; Isa 37:2).</p><p>(2) The original name of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, whom Pharaoh-necoh made king of Judah (2Ki 23:34; 2Ch 36:4).</p><p>(3) A priest who assisted at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, rebuilt after his return from Babylon (Ne 12:41).</p><p>(4) A grandson of Zerubbabel and ancestor of Jesus (Mt 1:13).</p><p>(5) An ancestor of Jesus (Lu 3:30).</p><p>S. F. Hunter</p>