2 Kings 22 1

2 Kings 22:1 kjv

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.

2 Kings 22:1 nkjv

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.

2 Kings 22:1 niv

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother's name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.

2 Kings 22:1 esv

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.

2 Kings 22:1 nlt

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath.

2 Kings 22 verses

2 Kings 22 1 Meaning

Second Kings 22:1 introduces Josiah, a king who ascended the throne of Judah at the remarkably young age of eight. This verse establishes the commencement of his thirty-one-year reign, based in Jerusalem, the divinely chosen capital. It also provides the lineage of his mother, Jedidah, daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath, implicitly pointing to his family's origin within the faithful tribe of Judah, contrasting with the immediate apostate rule of his father and grandfather. The verse subtly sets the stage for a period of profound spiritual reformation in Judah under Josiah's leadership, deviating sharply from the idolatrous practices that prevailed before him.

2 Kings 22 1 Context

Second Kings 22:1 marks a crucial turning point in the narrative of the Kingdom of Judah. It immediately follows the reigns of Manasseh and Amon, Josiah's grandfather and father, respectively. Manasseh's fifty-five-year rule was characterized by unprecedented idolatry, child sacrifice, and a severe departure from God's Law (2 Kgs 21:1-16), provoking God's judgment on Judah. His son Amon continued these wicked practices, reigning for only two years before being assassinated (2 Kgs 21:19-23). Thus, Judah was steeped in spiritual degradation and idolatry. Josiah's accession at a tender age represents the unexpected dawn of hope amidst profound spiritual darkness. Historically, his reign coincided with the waning power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, which had long dominated the region. This decline would later provide Josiah the political autonomy to implement his extensive religious reforms, unhindered by foreign intervention.

2 Kings 22 1 Word analysis

• Josiah: From Hebrew Yoʾšîyāhû (יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ), meaning "Yahweh supports" or "Yahweh heals." This name holds profound significance, aligning perfectly with his later role in "healing" Judah's spiritual brokenness by restoring proper worship of Yahweh. He stands in stark contrast to his predecessors.
• was eight years old: Emphasizes his extreme youth at accession. This highlights divine providence and intervention. In an ancient world where rulers were often expected to have military or administrative experience, a child king could be seen as vulnerable, yet God used him powerfully. It also echoes the early reign of Joash (2 Kgs 12:1).
• when he began to reign: Signals a new era for Judah, a breaking from the immediate past of Manasseh and Amon. The term mālakh (מָלַךְ, "to reign") emphasizes the formal, divinely appointed role of a king.
• and he reigned thirty-one years: A significant duration, indicating a period of stability for Judah, unlike the short, chaotic reign of his father Amon. This lengthy reign allowed him time to implement deep reforms. It also implies a certain divine favor or endorsement given the length compared to the destructive brevity of Amon's reign.
• in Jerusalem: The divinely chosen capital, the City of David, the seat of God's temple. Its mention underscores its central religious and political importance to Judah and God's covenant. This confirms his legitimate rule within the Davidic dynasty and lineage.
• His mother's name was Jedidah: Yĕdîdâ (יְדִידָה), meaning "Beloved (of Yahweh)." This name suggests a possibly faithful or at least not idolatrous background, particularly after generations of kings named after foreign deities. In the ancient Near East, the queen mother often held a prominent position of influence (the Gebirah). While the text does not explicitly detail her influence on Josiah, her name suggests a different spiritual inclination than Manasseh or Amon.
• the daughter of Adaiah: ʿĂdāyâ (עֲדָיָה), meaning "Adorned by Yahweh." Like Jedidah, Adaiah carries a positive, God-focused meaning, continuing the potential familial association with faithfulness to Yahweh, further distinguishing Josiah's immediate background from that of his father and grandfather.
• of Bozkath: A town in the lowlands (Shephelah) of Judah (Josh 15:39). Its specific mention grounds Josiah within the traditional territory of Judah, reinforcing his legitimate lineage and connection to the covenant land. This also might indicate that Jedidah's family held a measure of piety in a region where such faith may have been challenged.

2 Kings 22 1 Bonus section

• The Gebirah (Queen Mother) Influence: While not explicitly stated, the mention of the mother's name was common practice, especially for Davidic kings, and implied her status and, potentially, her influence on the king. Given the names Jedidah ("Beloved of Yahweh") and Adaiah ("Adorned by Yahweh"), it's plausible Josiah benefited from a more faithful upbringing compared to the environments of his father and grandfather.
• Prophetic Fulfilment: The detail of Josiah's name and lineage aligns with the remarkable prophecy made by the unnamed "man of God" centuries earlier in 1 Kgs 13:2, where it was foretold that a king named Josiah from the house of David would despoil the altar at Bethel, Manasseh's idolatrous center. This subtle link reinforces the divinely orchestrated nature of Josiah's reign even from its very beginning.
• Contrast with Manasseh and Amon: This opening verse on Josiah immediately sets a hopeful, redemptive tone after the overwhelmingly negative accounts of Manasseh and Amon. The contrast underscores the unique character and God-centered focus that would define Josiah's time on the throne, despite the seemingly unfavorable spiritual context into which he was born.
• Pre-Reform Setting: Though his spiritual actions are not mentioned until 2 Kgs 22:2, this initial verse provides the foundational biographical details necessary for understanding the momentous impact of the "book of the law" discovery (2 Kgs 22:8) and the subsequent widespread reforms under his thirty-one-year reign.

2 Kings 22 1 Commentary

Second Kings 22:1 functions as the narrative's pivot, signaling Judah's turn from apostasy to reformation under King Josiah. His young age at accession is paramount, highlighting God's capacity to choose and use anyone, regardless of their apparent limitations. While immediately preceded by wicked kings who deeply entrenched idolatry, Josiah's reign begins with divine blessing—indicated by his name and mother's name ("Yahweh Supports," "Beloved of Yahweh")—foreshadowing the restoration he would bring. The stability implied by his long reign in Jerusalem underlines his divinely-ordained purpose to bring about the greatest revival since David. This verse thus establishes the human instrument God uses to re-establish true worship in Judah and attempt to turn a nation's heart back to Him.