2 Chronicles 27:1 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

2 Chronicles 27:1 kjv

Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.

2 Chronicles 27:1 nkjv

Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.

2 Chronicles 27:1 niv

Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother's name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.

2 Chronicles 27:1 esv

Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok.

2 Chronicles 27:1 nlt

Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2 Chronicles 27 1 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
2 Kgs 15:32-33	In the second year of Pekah...Jotham...began to reign...He was twenty-five years old when he became king...	Parallel account of Jotham's accession and reign length.
2 Chr 26:21	King Uzziah was a leper till the day of his death. He lived in a separate house, while Jotham his son was over the royal household, governing the people of the land.	Context of Jotham's de facto rule (co-regency) due to Uzziah's leprosy.
2 Kgs 15:5	The Lord afflicted the king, and he was a leper...while Jotham the king's son managed the palace and governed the people of the land.	Confirms Jotham's pre-reign administrative role due to Uzziah's illness.
2 Chr 24:1	Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem.	Comparison of accession age (Jotham at 25, Joash younger, Uzziah 16).
2 Chr 26:3	Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem.	Predecessor Uzziah's age at accession.
Gen 41:46	Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh.	Reference point for significant age (often maturity/responsibility).
Num 4:3	From thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who enter the service to perform work in the tent of meeting.	Priestly age of service, implying maturity, contrasting royal accession.
Matt 1:9	Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah...	Jotham's inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ, affirming his place in salvation history.
Luke 3:33	the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah... (connects to other genealogies)	Emphasizes Jotham's importance in royal/messianic line (if tracing Davidic kings).
1 Kgs 22:42	Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem.	Another king whose age at accession and reign length is specified.
2 Chr 12:13	Rehoboam...reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Naamah the Ammonite.	Standard practice of listing king's mother's name and capital city.
2 Chr 13:2	His mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.	Continues the pattern of identifying the king's mother and her lineage.
2 Chr 20:31	Jehoshaphat...reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.	Reinforces the Chronicler's emphasis on mother's identity.
1 Kgs 1:39	Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon.	Highlights the significance of the name Zadok in the priestly line, giving prestige.
Ezek 44:15	But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of My sanctuary when the people of Israel went astray...	Later emphasis on the faithfulness of the Zadokite priests, implying a positive association with the name.
2 Sam 5:6-9	David went to Jerusalem...and the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites...So David lived in the stronghold and called it the City of David.	Jerusalem's establishment as the political and spiritual capital for the Davidic line.
Pss 48:1-2	Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain...Mount Zion, the joy of the whole earth.	Reflects Jerusalem's theological significance as God's chosen city.
Isa 1:1	The vision of Isaiah...concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah...	Jotham listed among key kings during a prophetic ministry, confirming his historical setting.
Hos 1:1	The word of the Lord that came to Hosea...in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah...	Another prophetic book referencing Jotham's reign.
Mic 1:1	The word of the Lord that came to Micah...in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah...	Further confirms Jotham's period of rule for a contemporary prophet.
Jer 3:19	You shall call me, My Father, and shall not turn away from following Me...you will receive a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance (נַחֲלָה naḥălâ) among the nations.	The name Jerushah means "inheritance", tying it to themes of divine promise and blessing in Judah's heritage.
Prov 20:29	The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.	Reflects on the period of life when strength (25 years old) would be used for ruling.

2 Chronicles 27 verses

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

2 Chronicles 27 1 Meaning

2 Chronicles 27:1 introduces King Jotham of Judah, providing essential biographical data crucial for establishing his reign. It states his age at accession (twenty-five), the length of his reign (sixteen years), and identifies Jerusalem as his capital. Furthermore, it names his mother, Jerushah, and identifies her father as Zadok, thereby offering key details about his royal lineage and immediate family connections, which was important for legitimacy and context within the biblical narrative.

2 Chronicles 27 1 Context

2 Chronicles 27:1 serves as the opening statement for King Jotham's individual biography within the Book of Chronicles. It immediately follows the detailed account of his father, Uzziah's long and largely prosperous reign, which tragically ended with Uzziah being afflicted with leprosy due to his trespass in the Temple (2 Chr 26:16-21). This severe judgment meant that Uzziah was isolated, and Jotham effectively took over the governance of the kingdom for several years as a co-regent, even before his formal "becoming king" mentioned in this verse. Therefore, his accession at twenty-five was likely a formal transition to sole rule after years of practical experience.

The chapter quickly moves from these vital statistics (verse 1) to describe Jotham's righteous character and actions (verse 2), emphasizing his walk with God and his military successes, attributing these directly to his adherence to the Lord. This verse, by providing his foundational details, sets the stage for the Chronicler's positive portrayal of Jotham as one who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Chr 27:2). It also stands in contrast to his son, Ahaz, whose unrighteous reign will be detailed immediately after Jotham's account. Historically, this period was characterized by the rising threat of the Assyrian Empire, which would heavily influence Judah's foreign policy and prophetic ministries, including those of Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, who all refer to Jotham's reign.

2 Chronicles 27 1 Word analysis

Jotham: (Hebrew: יותם, Yowtham). Meaning "The LORD is perfect" or "Yahweh is complete." This name carries a theological implication, suggesting a connection to God's wholeness or faithfulness. He is presented as a king who upholds this standard.
was twenty-five years old: Indicates an age of established maturity, responsibility, and experience. In ancient Israelite society, this was often an age where men would assume significant roles, suggesting Jotham was ready for the demands of kingship.
when he became king: This marks the official commencement of his independent reign. While he likely served as co-regent due to his father Uzziah's leprosy, this phrase signifies his formal enthronement and assumption of full sovereign power.
and he reigned: Signifies the active execution of royal authority and duties, ruling over the kingdom.
sixteen years: Specifies the duration of Jotham's sole reign, which, while not exceptionally long, indicates a period of sustained leadership and relative stability for Judah.
in Jerusalem: The designated capital city and center of political, religious, and cultural life for the kingdom of Judah. It signifies his legitimate rule over the Davidic kingdom.
His mother's name was Jerushah: (Hebrew: ירֻשָׁה, Yerushah). Meaning "possessed" or "inheritance." This detail is common in the Chronicler's records for Judean kings and establishes royal lineage from the maternal side. Her name itself may hint at the spiritual or political inheritance Jotham received or protected.
daughter of Zadok: This connects Jotham's mother to a prominent family. While not necessarily Zadok the high priest, the name Zadok (Hebrew: צדוק, Tsadoc), meaning "righteous," carries a connotation of piety and a link to the foundational priestly lineage established in the days of David and Solomon. This association subtly strengthens Jotham's legitimacy and perhaps alludes to a godly upbringing.

Words-group analysis

"Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king": This phrase establishes the age of accession, implying his maturity. However, knowing his father Uzziah was afflicted with leprosy (2 Chr 26:21), this accession likely followed a period of co-regency where Jotham was already governing. This suggests a prepared and experienced ruler.
"and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem": This detail specifies the exact length and seat of his independent rule. Reign length was a key indicator of stability and divine favor in the Chronicler's framework. Ruling in Jerusalem reaffirmed his rightful place as the Davidic king over Judah and keeper of the temple.
"His mother’s name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok": This full familial detail reinforces the legitimacy of Jotham's claim to the throne. The naming of the king's mother and her lineage, especially connected to a figure like "Zadok," was a common practice that could offer additional prestige, stability, and connect the monarch to respected familial or spiritual networks within Judah.

2 Chronicles 27 1 Bonus section

The consistent formula used by the Chronicler (age, length of reign, mother's name, capital) for introducing kings creates a structural parallel throughout the book, allowing readers to compare and contrast various reigns, implicitly teaching about cause and effect based on a king's obedience or disobedience.
The absence of the high priest's name in this verse is notable compared to other reigns where the spiritual guide is identified. While "Zadok" suggests a respected lineage, the direct spiritual guidance of the high priest is not detailed in this verse, though it is understood to be present generally in Jerusalem.
Jotham's reign (detailed further in subsequent verses) is generally viewed positively, serving as a continuation of righteous rule following Uzziah's initial faithfulness (before his prideful fall) and providing a necessary contrast before the apostasy of his son Ahaz. This introductory verse provides the stable foundation for such a period.

2 Chronicles 27 1 Commentary

2 Chronicles 27:1 presents a formulaic introduction to Jotham's reign, typical of the Chronicler's style for Judean kings. It immediately grounds the narrative in concrete historical details: his age at accession, the duration of his rule, and the specific capital from which he governed. The age of twenty-five signifies a period of robust maturity, particularly important given that Jotham had likely already been performing royal duties for years during his father Uzziah's leprosy-induced isolation. This verse establishes him as a prepared ruler, transitioning from a practical co-regency to a full, independent reign. The specification of "sixteen years in Jerusalem" confirms the stability of his rule and the centrality of the holy city as the hub of his kingdom.

The mention of his mother, Jerushah, daughter of Zadok, is significant beyond mere genealogy. In the books of Kings and Chronicles, the naming of the queen mother often highlights her potential influence on the king and her contribution to the royal lineage. "Jerushah" (inheritance) itself can be seen as emblematic of Jotham inheriting a spiritual legacy of righteousness, especially when paired with "Zadok," a name implying justice or righteousness. This brief detail acts as a subtle preamble to the next verse, which will commend Jotham for doing "what was right in the eyes of the Lord," linking his upright character potentially to his family background and solidifying his legitimacy within a framework that values faithfulness to God.