This section is an almost verbatim repetition of 2 Kings 25:27-30. It closes the book on a note of hope.
52:31 In 562 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar's son Evilmerodach (Awel-Marduk, lit. man of Marduk; 562-560 B.C.), who succeeded his father on the throne, favored King Jehoiachin. Jehoiachin had been in prison in Babylon since 597 B.C. Evilmerodach favored Jehoiachin by bringing him out of prison. Evilmerodach may have done this in his accession year since a new king often granted favors when he assumed his throne.
52:32 Evilmerodach was kind to Jehoiachin and gave him a special position among the other kings that the Babylonians had imprisoned. Evilmerodach regarded Jehoiachin as Judah's king.628Evidently many of the Judean exiles did as well (cf. 22:24-30).
52:33-34 Jehoiachin left prison. He even took his meals with Evilmerodach and received a daily allowance for the rest of his life, probably to support his family. His personal experience was a foreview of the national experience of the Israelites.
"There is considerable theological significance in these four verses. The fact that Jehoiachin lived on long after the exile and that he was finally released from prison may have seemed like the first signs of the fulfilment [sic] of Jeremiah's promise of a day of restoration. To the last, the future of Israel is seen as lying with the exiles in Babylon and not with those in Egypt or in their old homeland."629
However, Jeremiah had prophesied that none of Jehoiachin's sons would rule over Judah (22:24-30). So while Evilmerodach's treatment of Jehoiachin was encouraging, the future would require a supernatural act of God to perpetuate the Davidic dynasty and produce Messiah.
"In its present context the chapter seems to say: the divine word both has been fulfilled--and will be fulfilled!"630
