Joiakim

Who is Joiakim?

The mystery surrounding the identity of Joiakim is rather convoluted. Biblical texts seem to conflict with one another, as we will detail. In a similar fashion the history of Josephus mentions Joiakim, or 'Joacim' but does not include many details regarding his identity or role.

Biblical Citations

-1 Esdras 3:9; 5:5 The Esdras genealogy of Zerubbabel's sons is considered to be highly confused.

-1 Chronicles 3:19

-Judith 4:6-7; 4:8; 4:14; 15:8

-Because there is no evidence that a high priest would exercise such a wide range of powers, some scholars believe that Joiakim may be a pseudonym for a person from either the Hasmonean period, the time of Trajan or Hadrian, or as a "representative figure of the priesthood in general."

-Nehemiah 12:10, 26 However, "this list is artificial and problematic, but its existence reflects the importance of priests and Levites in this period."

-Susanna 1:1,4,6,28,29,63