2 Chronicles 21 6

2 Chronicles 21:6 kjv

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 21:6 nkjv

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 21:6 niv

He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 21:6 esv

And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 21:6 nlt

But Jehoram followed the example of the kings of Israel and was as wicked as King Ahab, for he had married one of Ahab's daughters. So Jehoram did what was evil in the LORD's sight.

2 Chronicles 21 verses

2 Chronicles 21 6 Meaning

2 Chronicles 21:6 describes the wicked reign of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. The verse states that Jehoram imitated the sinful practices of the Northern Kingdom of Israel's kings, specifically highlighting the egregious example of the house of Ahab. This direct comparison underscores the depth of Jehoram's apostasy, primarily driven by his marriage to Athaliah, Ahab's daughter. Consequently, his actions were deemed morally repugnant and displeasing in the sovereign judgment of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 21 6 Context

Jehoram's reign marks a significant decline in the Davidic kingdom of Judah. His father, Jehoshaphat, though largely righteous, had made an ill-advised alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, even arranging the marriage between Jehoram and Ahab's daughter, Athaliah. This verse follows the account of Jehoram brutally murdering all his brothers and some Judahite officials to solidify his power, actions driven by the ungodly counsel of his wife, Athaliah. This foundational verse sets the tone for his entire eight-year reign, which is consistently portrayed in Chronicles as deeply sinful, deviating severely from the righteous path of David and even his father, Jehoshaphat. Historically, this period reflects the growing threat of idolatry and foreign influence in Judah, a constant struggle for the Davidic dynasty against surrounding pagan practices and internal corruption. The narrative highlights the Chronicler's concern with the faithfulness of Judah's kings to the Mosaic covenant.

2 Chronicles 21 6 Word analysis

• He walked (וַיֵּלֶךְ, wayyeleḵ): More than physical movement, this Hebrew term signifies a person's entire conduct, lifestyle, and moral direction. It is a metaphor for adopting a way of life, implying Jehoram fully embraced and continued the practices of Israel's kings, not merely a transient act. In the biblical narrative, "walking" in the way of the LORD signifies obedience, while "walking" in other ways signifies deviation.
• in the way (בְּדֶרֶךְ, bəderek): "Way" or "path" (Hebrew: derek) often denotes a prescribed course of life, moral character, or pattern of behavior. It underscores that Jehoram deliberately followed a system of living and reigning that characterized the Northern Kingdom.
• kings of Israel: This refers to the kings of the Northern Kingdom, particularly from Jeroboam I onward. Unlike the kings of Judah (who were, with exceptions, of David's line and bound by the Jerusalem temple), the kings of Israel generally established alternative worship sites (Dan and Bethel) and often embraced blatant idolatry (e.g., Baal worship). This reference functions as a standard of condemnation.
• just as the house of Ahab had done: This phrase introduces a specific and extremely negative point of reference. The Omri-Ahab dynasty was notorious for extreme apostasy, promoting Baal worship on a national scale, instigated largely by Jezebel, Ahab's Phoenician wife. This comparison elevates Jehoram's wickedness above that of many other Israelite kings. The "house of Ahab" represents the pinnacle of rebellion against the LORD and the most dangerous spiritual threat.
• for he had the daughter of Ahab as his wife: This explains why Jehoram "walked in the way of Ahab." His marriage to Athaliah, a key historical and theological point, imported Israel's egregious idolatry and wickedness directly into the Judahite royal court. This was not just a political alliance; it was a spiritual contaminant. Her influence directly corrupted Jehoram and later almost extinguished the Davidic line.
• and he did what was evil (וַיַּעַשׂ הָרַע, wayyaʿaś hārāʿ): This is a frequently used formula in Deuteronomistic history and the books of Kings and Chronicles. It consistently describes actions that violate God's covenant, often involving idolatry, injustice, or gross moral failure, particularly concerning worship.
• in the sight of the LORD: This emphasizes the ultimate judge and standard-bearer. Actions are not merely "evil" by human standards but against the perfect holiness, justice, and knowledge of God. It highlights divine omnipresence and the certainty of accountability. No evil is hidden from Him.

Words-group analysis:

• "He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done": This phrase highlights Jehoram's willful adoption of the idolatrous and oppressive practices of the Northern Kingdom's most notoriously wicked dynasty. It signifies a profound deviation from the covenant obligations of Judahite kings and a rejection of the heritage of David.
• "for he had the daughter of Ahab as his wife": This serves as the causal link, directly attributing Jehoram's descent into depravity to the influence of Athaliah. It illustrates the destructive spiritual consequences of intermarriage with idolaters, echoing biblical warnings and previous failures of kings like Solomon.

2 Chronicles 21 6 Bonus section

• The Chronicler, writing post-exile, often emphasized the impact of kings' religious policies on Judah's well-being. Jehoram's sin provides a clear lesson on the severe consequences of disobedience, setting the stage for the prophetic condemnation and the ultimate downfall of his reign, detailed in subsequent verses.
• The phrase "daughter of Ahab" specifically refers to Athaliah (2 Chron 22:2), who herself would later usurp the throne of Judah and ruthlessly try to exterminate the Davidic line, demonstrating the far-reaching destructive power of the "house of Ahab's" influence.
• This verse illustrates a recurring theme in the biblical narrative: the perils of political alliances or marital unions with those who do not share covenant fidelity. While some might view these as practical decisions, the biblical writers consistently portray them as invitations to idolatry and spiritual compromise.
• The "way of the kings of Israel" included not just idolatry but often oppression and violence, suggesting Jehoram also adopted these broader characteristics, consistent with his murder of his brothers.

2 Chronicles 21 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 21:6 succinctly diagnoses the spiritual disease that afflicted King Jehoram of Judah: the corruption imported through his marriage. By walking in "the way of the kings of Israel," Jehoram rejected the distinct covenant identity of Judah, particularly the commitment to exclusive worship of the LORD. The specific reference to the "house of Ahab" is a profound indictment, aligning Jehoram with the pinnacle of wickedness in the Northern Kingdom. This comparison is stark and damns Jehoram as one who willingly brought the spiritual plague of Baal worship and profound unrighteousness into the Davidic kingdom. His marriage to Athaliah, Ahab's daughter, wasn't merely a political misstep; it was the spiritual gateway through which the destructive influence entered. This verse serves as a sober warning about the impact of ungodly associations and choices, particularly in leadership, on an individual's spiritual walk and the entire community. It emphasizes that what a leader embraces privately can profoundly affect a nation publically, manifesting as "evil in the sight of the LORD," bringing divine judgment.