For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Jehoiakim die in Babylon or near Jerusalem?
Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:
He died in Babylon.
“Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord his God. 6 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.” (2 Chronicles 36:5-6)
He died near Jerusalem.
“Therefore thus says the Lord in regard to Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, “They will not lament for him: ‘Alas, my brother!’ or, ‘Alas, sister!’ They will not lament for him: ‘Alas for the master!’ or, ‘Alas for his splendor!’ 19 “He will be buried with a donkey’s burial, Dragged off and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.” (Jeremiah 22:18-19)
(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)
Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:
