2 Chronicles 34 1

2 Chronicles 34:1 kjv

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.

2 Chronicles 34:1 nkjv

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:1 niv

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.

2 Chronicles 34:1 esv

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:1 nlt

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.

2 Chronicles 34 verses

2 Chronicles 34 1 Meaning

This verse introduces Josiah as the new king of Judah, specifying that he began his reign at the remarkably young age of eight and ruled for thirty-one years, with Jerusalem as his capital. It sets the foundational chronological and biographical details for one of Judah's most significant and righteous kings, particularly in contrast to the deep idolatry of the preceding reigns.

2 Chronicles 34 1 Context

2 Chronicles 34:1 serves as the opening statement for Josiah's reign, immediately setting a sharp contrast with the reigns of his father, Amon, and grandfather, Manasseh. Both Amon and Manasseh were characterized by intense idolatry and great evil, particularly Manasseh who filled Jerusalem with innocent blood and introduced abominable practices into the very Temple of the Lord (2 Chr 33:1-10, 21-23). After Manasseh's belated repentance, Amon immediately reverted to and surpassed his father's initial wickedness. Thus, Josiah inherits a kingdom steeped in apostasy and moral decay, a deeply corrupted spiritual and social landscape. His remarkably young age at ascension, following two short, wicked reigns, highlights God's unexpected sovereign hand in raising up a righteous leader amidst pervasive national sin and impending divine judgment.

2 Chronicles 34 1 Word analysis

• Josiah (Hebrew: יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ, Yo'shiyahu): This name is believed to mean "The Lord supports," "Yahweh heals," or "He whom Yahweh strengthens." It carries significant meaning, hinting at God's direct intervention and support for this king, particularly against the backdrop of his idolatrous heritage. His reign fulfills prophecy, notably from 1 Kings 13:2 concerning a king named Josiah.
• was eight years old: The number "eight" emphasizes extreme youth. Kings commonly ascended at a later age (e.g., David at 30, Solomon at a mature age). Such a young age implies that the true guiding hand was likely that of God Himself, or righteous advisors from a young age (as with Joash under Jehoiada). This detail highlights divine providence.
• when he began to reign: This phrase, typical for commencing a king's narrative, signifies the official start of his public rule. For Josiah, this marks the turning point from a period of intense idolatry under Amon and Manasseh. It initiates the final, significant revival before the Babylonian exile.
• and he reigned: Establishes the duration of his kingship. The use of the continuous verb indicates an uninterrupted period of rule.
• thirty-one years: A relatively long reign compared to his immediate predecessors (Amon's two years, Manasseh's lengthy but mixed rule). This extended period was crucial for Josiah to implement the sweeping religious reforms that followed, demonstrating God's grace in granting time for repentance to Judah.
• in Jerusalem: The traditional capital city and the religious center of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. It underscores the legitimacy of his reign as a successor in the Davidic line and the central location of his kingdom, implying that his reforms would affect the spiritual heartland of the nation. It was also the primary site of Judah’s idolatry and spiritual depravity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign": This group highlights the tender age of the new monarch, setting a tone of potential vulnerability or, conversely, emphasizing a divinely orchestrated kingship that began with God's oversight rather than human might or experience. It signifies a profound contrast with his progenitors.
• "and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem": This phrase segment speaks to the longevity and continuity of his rule. The "thirty-one years" indicates a sustained period for governance and reform, suggesting divine patience and provision. "In Jerusalem" reaffirms the enduring significance of the Davidic covenant's promises tied to the city, even as its people had become unfaithful.

2 Chronicles 34 1 Bonus section

The narrative of Josiah's ascension at such a young age, particularly in contrast to the wicked reigns preceding him, suggests the hand of God in preserving the Davidic line and raising a righteous leader. It points to the possibility of a dedicated remnant or godly influences who protected and nurtured Josiah, ensuring his education in the ways of the Lord despite his direct paternal lineage of apostates. His early rule can be seen as an immediate divine response to the great sin of Amon and Manasseh, providing a final window for national repentance before the foretold destruction of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34 1 Commentary

2 Chronicles 34:1 concisely opens the account of King Josiah, emphasizing his uniquely young age upon ascension (eight years old) and the considerable length of his reign (thirty-one years) in Jerusalem. This immediately distinguishes him, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround in Judah's spiritual history. His extreme youth at the commencement of his rule underscores the notion of divine appointment and protection, especially considering the pervasive idolatry established by his predecessors, Manasseh and Amon. Despite a background steeped in evil, Josiah remarkably pursued righteousness "in the eyes of the Lord," an indication that divine influence or wise counsel shaped his early years. His long reign provided the necessary stability and time to initiate and complete significant religious reforms, purifying Judah of its deep-seated idolatry and restoring proper worship, notably prompted by the discovery of the Book of the Law. This verse, therefore, is not merely a chronological marker but a statement of God's sovereign choice and patience in raising up a reformer even from unexpected origins, allowing a last opportunity for Judah to repent before the inevitable Babylonian exile.