2 Kings 10 36

2 Kings 10:36 kjv

And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.

2 Kings 10:36 nkjv

And the period that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

2 Kings 10:36 niv

The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

2 Kings 10:36 esv

The time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty-eight years.

2 Kings 10:36 nlt

In all, Jehu reigned over Israel from Samaria for twenty-eight years.

2 Kings 10 verses

2 Kings 10 36 Meaning

This verse serves as a summary statement for the reign of Jehu, indicating the precise duration of his rule and the location of his capital. It signifies the end of Jehu's active kingship as recorded by the historian of Kings, providing a fixed point in the chronological account of Israelite monarchs. Despite Jehu's fervent initial actions against the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal, this summary notes his continued rule from Samaria for a considerable period of 28 years.

2 Kings 10 36 Context

2 Kings Chapter 10 describes the fulfillment of divine judgment against the house of Ahab, particularly through the zealous actions of Jehu. Having been anointed king by a prophet from Elisha (Chapter 9) with the explicit instruction to cut off Ahab's lineage and eradicate Baal worship, Jehu orchestrates a brutal purge. He exterminates all of Ahab's male descendants, along with Ahab's top officials and priests, culminating in the complete destruction of the temple of Baal and its worshippers in Samaria. The chapter highlights Jehu's swift and thorough execution of these commands, for which he receives a conditional promise from God (2 Kgs 10:30) – his descendants would reign for four generations. However, 2 Kings 10:31 critically notes Jehu's failure to turn from the sins of Jeroboam, namely the calf worship at Bethel and Dan. Verse 36 concludes Jehu's reign with its duration, emphasizing that despite his specific divine mandate against Baal, the foundational sin of Israelite idolatry continued in the Northern Kingdom throughout his 28 years. This summary prepares the reader for the subsequent kings from Jehu's lineage and the ongoing spiritual decline of Israel.

2 Kings 10 36 Word analysis

• And the time: The Hebrew phrase is וְהַיָּמִים (v'hayamim), literally "and the days." In biblical usage, "days" often denotes a period or duration, including years, especially when referring to a reign. This marks a standard historical summary formula, typical for closing accounts of kings' reigns in the Books of Kings.
• that Jehu reigned: In Hebrew, אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ יֵהוּא (asher malakh Yehu), meaning "that reigned Jehu."
  • Jehu: (יֵהוּא - Yehu) The name likely means "Yah (the Lord) is He." This is highly significant given his role as God's instrument to execute judgment and reform in Israel. His name proclaimed divine action, aligning with his mission. His zeal in carrying out Yahweh's judgment was unmatched among the northern kings, though his reforms were incomplete.
• over Israel: (עַל-יִשְׂרָאֵל - al Yisra'el) This specifies the geographic and political domain of Jehu's kingship. It clarifies that his rule was over the northern kingdom, distinguishing him from the kings of Judah. This continually highlights the divided kingdom.
• in Samaria: (בְּשֹׁמְרוֹן - b'Shomron) This refers to the capital city of the Northern Kingdom, established by Omri (1 Kgs 16:24). While Jehu purged Baal worship from Samaria, its identification as the capital in the context of Jehu's reign still subtly ties it to the ongoing spiritual problems and eventual fall of Israel, given that Jeroboam's calf cult, though outside Samaria, was permitted under Jehu's rule (2 Kgs 10:29). Samaria would later become a prophetic target due to its sin (Amos 3:9-10).
• was twenty and eight years: (שְׁמֹנֶה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה - sh'moneh v'esrim shanah) This gives the exact duration of his reign. The specificity reinforces the historical accuracy and chronological concern of the Deuteronomistic historian. A reign of 28 years was quite long for a king in the Northern Kingdom, particularly one who seized power through such violent means. This longevity can be seen as God fulfilling His promise for Jehu's initial obedience (2 Kgs 10:30), even though Jehu's subsequent commitment to Yahweh was partial (2 Kgs 10:31).

2 Kings 10 36 Bonus section

The precise number of "twenty and eight years" given for Jehu's reign provides chronological anchoring within the biblical timeline of the Divided Monarchy. Jehu's accession marked a critical juncture, effectively cleansing the most blatant form of apostasy (Baalism) but leaving the foundational sin of Israelite idolatry (calf worship at Dan and Bethel) intact. This verse's brevity, common for summary statements, belies the complex and bloody transition he oversaw and the lingering spiritual compromise of his leadership. Jehu's reign serves as a prophetic foreshadowing, where even divinely appointed leaders can accomplish specific parts of God's will without fully committing to walking in His ways. His partial obedience ultimately impacted the long-term spiritual health of Israel, demonstrating that God can use flawed individuals to achieve His immediate purposes while still holding them accountable for their personal failures to fully adhere to His commands.

2 Kings 10 36 Commentary

2 Kings 10:36 concisely encapsulates the duration of Jehu's significant yet ultimately flawed reign. After a divinely mandated and ruthlessly executed purge against the Omride dynasty and Baal worship, Jehu ruled Israel from Samaria for twenty-eight years. This chronological summary follows a typical pattern in the Book of Kings, providing structure to the historical narrative. The relatively long tenure for a northern king who founded a new dynasty speaks to God's faithfulness in upholding His word, as Jehu received a promise for four generations on the throne for his initial zeal (2 Kgs 10:30). However, the preceding verse (2 Kgs 10:31) critically qualifies his obedience, noting his failure to abandon the calf worship introduced by Jeroboam I. Thus, while Jehu addressed one form of egregious idolatry, he did not usher in a complete spiritual reformation for Israel. His prolonged reign underscores a period of stability achieved through extreme measures, yet it also represents the ongoing, fundamental sin that would eventually lead to the Northern Kingdom's downfall. The verse stands as a factual capstone, inviting the reader to reflect on the mixed legacy of a king chosen by God for a specific task but who stopped short of full obedience.