It seems that Eliakim gave in to nepotism, although it is not explicitly stated. Some commentators say that the downfall mentioned points only to his family and not to Eliakim himself. Offspring
is a masculine noun and issue
a feminine noun, which indicates that the entire family would try to profit from Eliakim’s position and power. They would be like many cups and flagons, all hanging on one peg on the wall, which would cause it to give way and fall to the ground together with its load.
24 And they will hang on him the whole honor of his father’s house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons.