Brief Overview of Ἰεχονίας (Strong’s G2423: Iechonias)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies is crucial for gaining deeper insights into the text’s cultural, historical, and theological contexts. The Greek word Ἰεχονίας (Iechonias), translated as “Jeconiah” or “Jechoniah,” refers to an important king of Judah mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. His story is significant in the Bible due to the curse placed on his lineage and its implications for Messianic prophecy. Studying this term helps us explore themes of judgment, repentance, and redemption within the larger Biblical narrative.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: Ἰεχονίας, transliterated as Iechonias [yeh-kho-NEE-ahs].
• Etymology: Derived from the Hebrew יְכָנְיָה (Yekhonya), meaning “Jehovah will establish.”
• Part of Speech: Proper noun, masculine.
• Grammatical Details: Indeclinable noun in Greek; it retains the same form across different grammatical cases.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Jeconiah: The last king of Judah from the line of David before the Babylonian exile. Known for his deportation to Babylon and the subsequent curse on his descendants, which complicated the prophetic fulfillment of the Messiah coming from David’s line.

Similar Words: Ζοροβαβέλ (Zorobabel) [zoh-ro-bah-BEL], another descendant of Jeconiah mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. Unlike Jeconiah, who was cursed, Zorobabel played a role in the restoration of Jerusalem after the exile, showing a contrast between divine judgment and grace in the lineage.

Further Insights: The word Ἰεχονίας is an indeclinable noun in Greek, meaning it does not change its form regardless of its grammatical function in a sentence. This characteristic is typical for names borrowed from Hebrew into Greek, maintaining their original structure in Biblical texts. This consistency is important for identifying Jeconiah in various contexts within the New Testament.

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Lexicon Insights

BDAG: Defines Ἰεχονίας as a transliteration of the Hebrew “Jeconiah,” a king of Judah whose reign ended with his deportation to Babylon. It highlights his role in the genealogy of Jesus and the theological implications of the curse placed on his lineage.

Thayers: Emphasizes Ἰεχονίας as the Greek form of Jeconiah, noting his presence in the genealogical record in Matthew 1:12. Thayer’s lexicon discusses the implications of Jeconiah’s curse and its apparent resolution in the New Testament narrative.

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Vines: Discusses Ἰεχονίας in the context of Messianic prophecy and the complexities introduced by the curse on Jeconiah’s line. It explores how the curse’s fulfillment is reconciled with Jesus being a descendant of David, underscoring God’s sovereignty.

LSJ: The Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon notes Ἰεχονίας as a proper noun of Hebrew origin. It mentions its Biblical usage and importance in the genealogy of Jesus, reflecting on the integration of Hebrew and Greek traditions in the New Testament.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists Ἰεχονίας (G2423) as “Jeconiah,” referring to the king of Judah. It emphasizes the curse pronounced on his descendants and cross-references his mention in Matthew’s genealogy.

Related Scripture References

• Matthew 1:11: “Josiah fathered Jeconiah [Ἰεχονίας] and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.”
• Matthew 1:12: “After the deportation to Babylon, Jeconiah [Ἰεχονίας] fathered Shealtiel, and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel.”
• 1 Chronicles 3:16 (Septuagint Reference): “And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah [Ἰεχονίας] his son, Zedekiah his son.”

Classical Usage

Summary of Ἰεχονίας (G2423)

The Greek word Ἰεχονίας (Iechonias) refers to Jeconiah, a king of Judah whose story is significant for understanding the Messianic lineage presented in the New Testament. Despite the curse placed upon his descendants, which appeared to jeopardize the promise of a Messiah from David’s line, the New Testament’s genealogy of Jesus reconciles this tension. As an indeclinable noun in Greek, Ἰεχονίας remains consistent in form throughout its appearances in the Bible, reflecting its Hebrew origin. Jeconiah’s story offers profound insights into the themes of divine judgment, mercy, and fulfillment of prophecy.

Did You Know?

• Jeconiah is also known as “Coniah” in some Biblical texts, reflecting variations in transliteration.
• Despite the curse on Jeconiah’s lineage, Jesus Christ is still recognized as a legitimate descendant of David, demonstrating God’s ability to fulfill His promises in unexpected ways.
• Jeconiah’s story is a testament to God’s justice and mercy, providing a backdrop for the New Testament’s emphasis on grace.

This comprehensive overview of Ἰεχονίας helps deepen understanding of its significance in Biblical studies, enriching the study of scripture for both beginners and scholars.