Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 1:11

11 And Josias begat Jeconias and his Brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon.

In this Ieconiah (who ever he was) determined the Evangelists second Period of fourteen Generations. But there is much Dispute, both about the Ieconiah who is here mentioned, and the Sons of Iosiah as they are reckoned up, 1 Chron. 3.15. where it is said. The Sons of Iosiah were the first born Iehanan, The second Iehojakim, The third Zedekiah. The fourth Shallum, 2 Kin. 23.31. 2 Chron. 36.1. It is plain that Iehoahaz succeeded Iosiah his Father: It is certain that amongst the Iews it was very ordinary for Persons to have two Names; thus King Vzziah in the Book of Kings called Azariah, 2 Kin. 14.21. Most if not all of Iosiahs Sons had two Names, it is plain that Iehoahaz his eldest Son is the same who in 1 Chron. 3.15. is called Iohanan, but he Reigned but three Months, probably set up by the People, and put down by Pharaoh Necho, in a Battle against whom Iosiah was slain, he pursuing his Victory put him down and set up Eliakim his next Brother, calling him Iehoiachim, as he is called 2 Chron. 3.15. he Reigned eleven years, 2 Chron. 36.5. The King of Babylon puts him down, and setteth up Iehojachin his Son, who is also called Ieconiah, and Coniah, 2 Chron. 36.9. he Reigned but three Months, and ten days, and the King of Babylon fetcheth him away, and sets up his Uncle Zedekiah (called also Mattaniah) he Reigned eleven years, as appeareth by 2 Chron. 36. v. 11. then the whole Body of the Iews were carried away Captive into Babylon. We do not read either in the Book of Kings, or Chronicles, that Shallum (Iosiahs fourth Son) ever Reigned, yet it should seem that he did, by Ieremiah, 22. v. 11. Some think that he was set up in stead of Iehoahaz, when he was carried away. But the Scripture saith nothing of it, nor is it very probable that the Conqueror should skip over the Second and Third Son, and set up the Fourth. But it is not my present Concern, to inquire after Shallum, but only after Ieconiah mentioned in this Verse, and the other Ieconiah mentioned in the 12 Verse, as the Head of those Generations which make up the last Period. As to this Ieconiah the most probable Opinion is, that it was Iehojakim, who was also called Ieconiah, and that the Ieconiah mentioned, v. 12. was Iehojakin, the Son of Iehojakim. In this I find some of the best Interpreters acquiescing, nor indeed is there any great Difficulty, in allowing Iehojachim the Father, as well as Iehojachin the Son to be called Ieconiah (so near are the Names akin, and the signification of both the same) but then the Question is, how Iosiah could be said to beget Iehojachim, About the time of the carrying into the Captivity of Babylon; for it appeareth by 2 Chron. 36.5. That Iehojachim was twenty five years Old when he began to Reign, and he Reigned eleven years; and in his time was the first carrying into Babylon, so that there must be thirty seven years betwixt the begetting of Iehojakim and the first Transportation into Babylon. The Margent of our Bibles tell us of another Reading, Iosias begat Iakim (Iakim and Iehojakim are the same) and Iakim begate Iechoniah (that is Iehojakim.) Beza thinks this the truest reading taken out of an old Copy of R. Stephens, magnified by Stapulensis and Bucor. But he thinks it should be thus, Iosias begate Iakim, and his Brethren (for we know that Iosiah had four Sons) and Iakim begat Ieconiah (that is, Iehojakin) about the time of the carrying into the Captivity of Babylon. For Iehojakin or Ieconiah was not nine years old when himself was carried away, and his Father was carried away before [about the carrying away into Babylon] The Greek Preposition [non-Latin text not transcribed] doth not signifie any determinate certain time, but doth include sometimes many, and distinct ti[illegible: 1 letter]es as it must do here, for Iosiah began to Reign at eight years old, and Reigned thirty one years, so that he dyed at thirty nine years of Age, 1 Chron. 34. v. 2. Iehoahaz (or Iohanan) his eldest Son succeeded him at twenty three years old, so he must be born when Iosiah was sixteen years of Age. Iehojachim began to Reign at twenty five years of Age. Zedekiah at one and twenty, as appeareth from 2 Chron. 36.1, 5, 11. so that Zedekiah must be but about nine years old when his Father dyed, which was not twelve years before Iehojachim was carried into Babylon, as appeareth by the History, 2 Chr. 36. Thus, the Persons in this Period, which) was the flourishing time of the Kingdom of Iudah) are fourteen: Solomon, Rehoboam, Abia, Asa, Iehosaphat, Ioram, Vzziah, Iotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasses, Amon, Iosiah, Iehojachim, only here is no mention made of Iehoahaz his Reign, who was Iosiah his eldest Son, who it may be is not mentioned by the Evangelist: Either, because Iehojachim (here called Ieconiah) was a second Son of the same Father, or in regard of his short Reign (for it was but three Months and odd days) or it may be, because in all Probability he was Tumultuously set up by the People, and not fixed in his Throne, before he was turned out by the Conqueror Pharaoh Necho, nor do we read of any Sons he left, to be sure he left none who could succeed him in the Throne, for Iehojachim was set up, and his Son Iehojachin succeeded him, as the History telleth us.

Marginal references: 2 Kin. 23.34. & 24.1. 2 Chron. 36.4.; Some read begate Jakim, and Jakim begate Jeconiah.