2 Kings 21 19

2 Kings 21:19 kjv

Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

2 Kings 21:19 nkjv

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

2 Kings 21:19 niv

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. His mother's name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz; she was from Jotbah.

2 Kings 21:19 esv

Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

2 Kings 21:19 nlt

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. His mother was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz from Jotbah.

2 Kings 21 verses

2 Kings 21 19 Meaning

2 Kings 21:19 introduces Amon's ascension to the throne of Judah. It states he became king at twenty-two years old, ruling for two years in Jerusalem. The verse also identifies his mother as Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz from Jotbah. This passage serves as a formulaic opening to his brief reign, a standard historical marker found throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles. It provides factual chronological and genealogical details crucial for historical context within the Davidic line.

2 Kings 21 19 Context

2 Kings chapter 21 primarily details the deeply idolatrous reign of Manasseh, Judah's most wicked king, who "did more evil than the nations whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel" (2 Ki 21:9). Manasseh's prolonged reign (55 years) profoundly impacted Judah, leading to significant spiritual decline. Verse 19 transitions from Manasseh's death to the ascension of his son, Amon, explicitly detailing the start of his short and equally wicked rule. Amon's two-year reign serves as a brief continuation of Manasseh's evil, bridging the gap between an era of intense apostasy and the transformative reforms initiated by Amon's son, Josiah (2 Ki 22-23). The mention of his mother, a common practice for Judean kings, links him specifically to the Davidic royal lineage.

2 Kings 21 19 Word analysis

• And Amon (וַאֲמוֹן - wa'Amown): "And Amon" is the initial conjunction linking him to his father Manasseh's preceding reign and death. "Amon" (אָמוֹן - 'Amown') generally means "master workman" or "skilled worker," but also "nursling." This name contrasts sharply with his actions, which were destructive, not constructive. Its recurrence here signals the continuation of the royal succession within the Davidic line.
• was twenty and two years old (בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִים וּשְׁתַּיִם שָׁנָה - ben-ʿesrim uštayim šanah): "Twenty and two years old." This standard notation specifies the king's age at his accession, emphasizing he came to the throne as a young adult, though not as young as some other kings. It signifies he was old enough to make his own decisions and take full responsibility for his rule.
• when he began to reign (בְּמָלְכוֹ - bemālchô): "When he reigned" or "at his reigning." This phrase clearly indicates the commencement of his official rule, marking a new phase in Judah's history, even if brief.
• and he reigned two years (וּשְׁתַּיִם שָׁנִים מָלָךְ - ūšᵊtayim šānîm mālāḵ): "And two years he reigned." The brevity of his reign (only two years) is striking, especially when contrasted with his father Manasseh's extraordinarily long reign of 55 years. This short duration often points to divine disfavor or an unstable period for the monarchy. It sets a chronological marker.
• in Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלִַם - bîrûšāláyim): "In Jerusalem." This is the capital city of the Kingdom of Judah and the spiritual center, home to the Temple and the Davidic dynasty's seat. It clarifies the scope of his kingship, confirming it was over Judah.
• And his mother's name was Meshullemeth (וְשֵׁם אִמּוֹ מְשֻׁלֶּמֶת - wəšēm ’immō Mᵊšullɛmeṯ): "And the name of his mother was Meshullemeth." The mention of the king's mother's name is a consistent feature for the kings of Judah in Kings and Chronicles, unlike those of Israel. This practice potentially highlights the significance of the queen mother, her lineage, or serves as further validation of the Davidic successor. "Meshullemeth" (מְשֻׁלֶּמֶת - Mᵊšullɛmeṯ) means "recompense" or "she who is at peace/perfect."
• the daughter of Haruz (בַּת־חָרוּץ - bat-Ḥārûts): "Daughter of Haruz." This identifies her father, further establishing her family lineage and origins. "Haruz" (חָרוּץ - Ḥārûts) can mean "diligent," "active," "decisive," or even "cut off."
• of Jotbah (מִיָּטְבָה - mîYoṭbāh): "From Jotbah." This specifies the geographical origin of Amon's mother. "Jotbah" (יָטְבָה - Yoṭbāh) likely means "pleasantness" or "goodness." While its exact location is debated, it indicates her tribal and regional ties within Judah, grounding the lineage historically and geographically.

Words-Group Analysis:

• Regnal Formula: The entire verse follows a conventional formula used throughout the Books of Kings for recording the accession of a Judean king. This formula (age at accession, duration of reign, location of rule, and mother's name and origin) provides critical chronological data and legitimizes the monarch within the narrative of the Davidic line.
• "reigned two years": This phrase, placed within the standard regnal formula, carries significant implicit meaning. Such a short reign, especially following a very long one, often foreshadows instability, divine judgment, or a swift demise, which indeed proves to be Amon's fate. It signals a transient period.
• "mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah": This detailed identification of the queen mother is peculiar to the Davidic line kings in Judah. It speaks to the importance of their maternal lineage for establishing legitimacy, stability, or tribal alliances, distinct from the practices in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It ties the king more firmly into the sociopolitical fabric of Judah.

2 Kings 21 19 Bonus section

• Deuteronomistic History: This verse, like other regnal formulas, serves the purposes of the Deuteronomistic Historian, providing a framework for evaluating each king's reign against the standard of the Davidic covenant and the Law, particularly regarding the worship of God alone in Jerusalem.
• Symbolism of Short Reign: A two-year reign in biblical accounts, particularly for kings described as evil, frequently functions as a literary signal of God's disfavor and impending judgment or instability within the kingdom. It contrasts sharply with "long days" often promised to those who follow the Lord (Exo 20:12; Deut 5:16). Amon's brief reign prevented him from doing widespread damage over a prolonged period, preparing the stage for the dramatic repentance and revival under Josiah.
• Davidic Lineage Significance: The detailed mention of Amon's mother's name and geographical origin, specific to the kings of Judah, underlines the enduring importance of maintaining accurate genealogies for the Davidic dynasty. This meticulous record-keeping would later become vital for establishing the Messiah's lineage as a descendant of David (Mt 1:8-10).
• Transitional Figure: Amon, despite his brief rule, is a crucial transitional figure. He acts as a spiritual bridge connecting the profound depths of apostasy reached under Manasseh to the astonishing reforms initiated by Josiah. His very brief and inglorious rule could be seen as God's mercy in curtailing extended wickedness just prior to the opportunity for genuine revival.

2 Kings 21 19 Commentary

2 Kings 21:19 is a concise, factual introduction to King Amon, strictly adhering to the historical regnal formula for Judahite kings. It positions Amon chronologically within the succession of the Davidic dynasty. The verse immediately informs the reader that he was twenty-two years old, indicating an age of full responsibility, and crucially notes his exceptionally brief reign of just two years, a striking contrast to his father Manasseh's 55 years of apostasy. This brevity often implies an unstable reign, swift divine judgment, or a calamitous end, which unfolds in the subsequent verses describing his assassination. The detailing of his mother's identity, Meshullemeth, from Jotbah, aligns with the chronicler's specific interest in the Judahite kings' full lineage, highlighting the importance of the maternal side for legitimacy and historical accuracy within the Davidic covenant line. While this verse is purely factual, it lays the groundwork for understanding Amon's destructive, albeit brief, continuation of Manasseh's wickedness, leading into the stark contrast of his son Josiah's unprecedented reforms. It reinforces the consistent biblical pattern of meticulously documenting the reigns of kings, thereby weaving together the broader narrative of Israel's covenant relationship with God and the consequences of obedience or rebellion.