Did Coniah/Jechoniah Have Children?

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Some argue that the Bible is contradictory concerning whether Coniah, or Jechoniah, had children. The argument is that Jeremiah 22:28-30 says that he did not have children, but Matthew 1:12 says that he did have children. However, the answer to this alleged contradiction in the Bible is very simple.

Scriptures – Did Coniah/Jechoniah Have Children?

Jeremiah 22:28-30 – Jechoniah Did Not Have Children

28 Is this man Coniah a despised, broken pot, a vessel no one cares for? Why are he and his children hurled and cast into a land that they do not know? 29 O land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord! 30 Thus says the Lord: “Write this man down as childless, a man who shall not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah.”

Jeremiah 22:28-30

Matthew 1:12 – Jechoniah Had Children

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Matthew 1:12

The Answer – Did Coniah/Jechoniah Have Children?

Jeremiah 22:28-30 Refers to Children Who Will Sit on the Throne

Coniah and Jeconiah are two different names for the same person.

The answer to the alleged contradiction is found in the context of Jeremiah 22:28-30, which says that “none of his offspring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah.” Jeremiah 22:28-30 says ”’count”’ Coniah as childless, since none of his children will sit on the throne. It does not say that Coniah did not have any children at all—according to Matthew 1:12, he did have at least one son.

Foundational Principles Regarding Bible Difficulties

There are some foundational principles that apply to all alleged and apparent contradictions in the Bible. To read more, see Bible Difficulties: Foundational Principles.

More Answers to “Contradictions” in the Bible

To read more answers to alleged and apparent contradictions in the Bible, see “Contradictions” in the Bible Answered.

These books are also excellent resources:

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