2 Chronicles 24 1

2 Chronicles 24:1 kjv

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.

2 Chronicles 24:1 nkjv

Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.

2 Chronicles 24:1 niv

Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother's name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.

2 Chronicles 24:1 esv

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.

2 Chronicles 24:1 nlt

Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother was Zibiah from Beersheba.

2 Chronicles 24 verses

2 Chronicles 24 1 Meaning

The verse establishes the formal beginning of King Joash’s reign, detailing his young age at accession, the duration of his rule, and the city where he governed. It also identifies his mother and her place of origin, providing critical biographical details. This introduction is foundational for understanding the events of his kingship, especially his initial period under the influence of the high priest Jehoiada, and implicitly points to the providential preservation of the Davidic lineage after the massacre by Athaliah.

2 Chronicles 24 1 Context

This verse serves as the formal opening of Joash's reign in 2 Chronicles, following the dramatic events of the previous chapter. Immediately prior to this, Athaliah, queen mother and usurper, had murdered all but one of the royal seed to seize the throne of Judah. However, baby Joash was rescued by Jehoshabeath (sister of King Ahaziah, Joash’s father) and Jehoiada the priest, his wife’s husband, and hidden in the Temple for six years (2 Chr 22-23). The previous chapter culminated in Jehoiada bringing Joash forth, presenting him as the legitimate heir, covenanting with the people and with God, and having him crowned king, followed by Athaliah’s execution and the restoration of Temple worship. Therefore, 2 Chronicles 24:1 picks up at this pivotal moment, introducing the king who begins his rule under highly unique circumstances, symbolizing God's faithfulness to the Davidic covenant despite human wickedness. The chapter then chronicles Joash's early good years under Jehoiada’s tutelage, including his repair of the Temple, and tragically, his decline and apostasy after Jehoiada’s death, leading to his assassination. Historically, Joash’s reign falls during the divided monarchy period in Judah, marked by internal struggles and external threats, but always with the looming shadow of divine judgment based on the king's obedience or disobedience.

2 Chronicles 24 1 Word analysis

• Joash (יְהוֹאָשׁ - Yəhôʼāš): The name means "Yahweh has given" or "Gift of Yahweh." This name holds profound significance as Joash was indeed a "gift" from God, having been miraculously preserved from the murderous rampage of Athaliah (2 Ki 11:1-3, 2 Chr 22:10-11). His very existence and ascent to the throne represent God's enduring faithfulness to the Davidic covenant, promising an everlasting king from David's lineage (2 Sam 7:12-16). His life underscored divine providence and intervention in securing the line of succession for the coming Messiah.

• was seven years old: This highlights Joash's extreme youth. As a child king, he would have required a strong regent. The mention of his age immediately directs the reader's attention to the high priest Jehoiada, who effectively served as regent and guardian. His youth meant he was highly impressionable, setting the stage for his early faithfulness, directly tied to Jehoiada's influence (2 Chr 24:2), but also his later departure from the Lord once that guidance was removed (2 Chr 24:17-19).

• when he began to reign: Signifies not just his existence as a legitimate heir, but his official commencement of royal duties and exercise of power. It marks a clear break from Athaliah's illegitimate rule. The process was ceremonial (anointing, covenant), establishing divine approval and popular support orchestrated by Jehoiada.

• and he reigned forty years: A significant and symbolically rich number in biblical narrative, often denoting a complete period, a generation, a time of testing, or preparation (e.g., Israel in the wilderness, Moses on Sinai). For Joash, it marks a substantial period of rule, but one ultimately divided into periods of good and evil, marked by the presence or absence of godly counsel.

• in Jerusalem: The capital city of Judah and the spiritual center, containing the Temple of the Lord. Ruling in Jerusalem meant presiding over God's chosen city and being responsible for the care of the Temple, a major theme of Chronicles and crucial for Joash’s reign, as he initially led repairs of the neglected sanctuary (2 Chr 24:4-14).

• His mother's name was Zibiah (צִבְיָה - Tṣibyāh): Meaning "doe" or "gazelle." In the biblical narrative, mentioning the mother’s name was customary for kings of Judah. It provides crucial lineage detail and often hints at the background or potential influences on the king's character and policies. Her personal piety or lack thereof could indirectly shape her son.

• of Beersheba (בְּאֶר-שָׁבַע - Be'er Sheva): A prominent city in the Negev region of southern Judah, associated with Abraham and the patriarchs, where significant covenants were made ("well of the oath/seven") (Gen 21:31, 26:33). This detail connects Joash, through his mother, to the ancient patriarchal heritage of Israel, symbolizing a deep root in the historical faith.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years": This combination immediately paints a picture of a king who came to power extremely young and had a long reign. This immediately flags Jehoiada's pivotal role and the dual nature of Joash's reign – initial success under good influence, contrasted with later failure, underscoring the vital importance of consistent, righteous leadership and counsel.
  • "reigned forty years in Jerusalem": This emphasizes a complete period of rule over God's chosen city. It speaks to the ongoing story of the Davidic covenant, as the legitimate king reigns from the designated holy capital.
  • "His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba": This provides important genealogical and geographical context. It roots Joash's legitimacy not just through his Davidic father, but also grounds his personal history in specific Israeli heritage (Beersheba), giving him a personal link to the wider Israelite story. This also sets a subtle contrast between the ancient roots and the current turbulent political environment in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 24 1 Bonus section

The chronicler's specific mention of Joash's age and mother’s origin reinforces a central theme throughout Chronicles: the focus on lineage and the crucial role of godly leaders and instruction in the kings of Judah. While his birth father, Ahaziah, was short-lived and wicked, Joash’s providential rescue and anointing by Jehoiada gave him a "second birth" into righteous mentorship. The chronicler emphasizes not just the king's reign but also the circumstances and influences surrounding it, as they often determined the success or failure of his adherence to the covenant. This verse implies that even a legitimate Davidic king’s effectiveness was intrinsically linked to personal character shaped by wise counsel, emphasizing the profound impact of spiritual environment over birthright alone.

2 Chronicles 24 1 Commentary

2 Chronicles 24:1 provides the critical entry point to King Joash’s long reign, setting the stage for a period marked by both restoration and significant decline. His extremely young age at accession immediately highlights his unique survival and the vital role of Jehoiada the high priest, who becomes his primary mentor and protector. The verse subtly underscores divine providence, demonstrating how God preserved the Davidic line despite concerted human effort to destroy it, thus maintaining the covenant promises leading to the Messiah. His forty-year reign, while lengthy, would paradoxically encapsulate the entire trajectory of reliance on faithful counsel versus catastrophic independence. This initial verse, seemingly a simple biographical entry, thus carries the weight of a miraculous beginning and foreshadows the eventual tragedy born from the king’s departure from the path of righteousness after Jehoiada's influence waned.