As we were getting ready to close on Sunday, Chellie was wondering about the name changes that were going on. I began to think about that as well as the meaning of names was very important at that time. After Josiah's death the people made Jehoahaz king, but as we discussed he was evil and he only reigned three months as Neco put him in chains. Then the Pharaoh made Eliakim who was also one of Josiah's sons king but changed his name to Jehoiakim. According to my notes, Eliakim meant "God has established" and Jehoiakim meant "Yahweh has established". One theory is that he wanted to use the name change to imply that his actions were sanctioned by Yahweh, the God of Judah which would help to subdue resistance by the people. At any rate, Pharaoh Neco's actions indicated that Jehoiakim was subject to his authority.
Also, I found a footnote that said Eliakim may have been bypassed by the people as king (remember he was older than Jehoahaz) because he favored a pro- Egyptian policy instead of an anti-Egyptian policy like his father Josiah.
So....sounds as if politics once again may have played an important part in history and events.
Linda
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