דברי הימים א, פרק ג׳, פסוק ט״ו

The historical records of King Josiah’s family present a fascinating genealogical puzzle. The names of his sons and the order in which they appear do not align with their actual ages or with the historical accounts found elsewhere in the biblical records. Commentators offer various ways to understand the true identities and the sequence of this royal lineage.

The first major question surrounds Johanan, who is identified as the firstborn despite his brother Jehoiakim being two years older. The primary approach among commentators is that Johanan is actually Jehoahaz, who went by two names. He is granted the title of firstborn not because of his age, but because he was the firstborn to the throne—the very first of Josiah’s sons to be crowned king [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. Conversely, another perspective suggests that Johanan was a distinct son who never took the throne at all [רלב״ג].

Further complexity arises with the numbering of the third and fourth sons, Zedekiah and Shallum. According to ancient tradition, Zedekiah and Shallum are actually the same person. He is counted as the third because he was the third son born to Josiah, and as the fourth because he was the fourth king to rule after his father. The name Shallum, which relates to the concept of completion or perfection, reflects his righteous character in a wicked generation. Alternatively, it signifies that the royal dynasty of David came to its completion and ended during his reign [רד״ק, מצודת דוד].

Looking at the straightforward meaning of the lineage, some suggest that Shallum is actually Josiah’s grandson, Jehoiachin. In biblical tradition, grandsons are often counted as sons, and he is included in this list because he ruled before his uncle Zedekiah [רד״ק]. However, others strongly dispute this identification, pointing out that Jehoiachin is explicitly listed immediately afterward as the son of Jehoiakim [רלב״ג].

A final approach resolves the entire list by viewing it as the chronological order of their coronations rather than their births. The succession began with Johanan, who is Jehoahaz, followed by Jehoiakim, and then Zedekiah. In this view, Shallum is a completely separate son of Josiah who was exiled to Babylon to prevent him from challenging Zedekiah’s claim to the throne [מלבי״ם].