"Did Jehoiakim die in Babylon or near Jerusalem?" (Alleged Contradiction #E9238)
Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God. Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
II Chronicles 36:5-6
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! He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 22:18-19
So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
II Kings 24:6
Response
Jehoiakim died before he was carried off to Babylon and was cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
II Chronicles 36:5-6 never says that Jehoiakim was actually carried into Babylon, but just that Nebuchadnezzar’s intent was “to carry him to Babylon.” Before this happened, evidently Jehoiakim died, because II Kings 24:6 says that he “slept with has fathers” before “Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.” Thus, there is no contradiction.
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