2 Kings 23 36

2 Kings 23:36 kjv

Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.

2 Kings 23:36 nkjv

Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebudah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.

2 Kings 23:36 niv

Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother's name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah.

2 Kings 23:36 esv

Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.

2 Kings 23:36 nlt

Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother was Zebidah, the daughter of Pedaiah from Rumah.

2 Kings 23 verses

2 Kings 23 36 Meaning

This verse formally introduces Jehoiakim (originally Eliakim) as the next king of Judah after the brief reign of Jehoahaz. It specifies his age at ascension, the duration of his rule, the capital city of Jerusalem, and his maternal lineage. It signifies the commencement of a difficult and unrighteous reign, directly preceding the final destruction of the Kingdom of Judah and the Babylonian exile.

2 Kings 23 36 Context

This verse marks a significant transition point in the kingdom of Judah. It immediately follows the short, turbulent reign of Jehoahaz (also called Shallum), who was placed on the throne by the people but quickly deposed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt. Pharaoh Neco, having recently defeated King Josiah at Megiddo (2 Kgs 23:29-30) and established Egyptian dominance, intervened in Judah's affairs. He chose Eliakim, another son of Josiah, and renamed him Jehoiakim, placing him on the throne (2 Kgs 23:34). This act not only asserted Egyptian suzerainty over Judah but also changed Judah's internal succession process, moving away from popular choice.

Historically, this period (late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE) was one of intense geopolitical shifts. The Neo-Assyrian Empire, which had long dominated the Near East, was in rapid decline. Egypt, under the 26th Dynasty, sought to reassert its influence. Crucially, Babylon, under its emerging Neo-Babylonian Empire (led by Nebuchadnezzar II), was rising as the dominant power. Jehoiakim's reign occurred during this volatile power vacuum and set Judah on a collision course with Babylon, leading ultimately to the first major wave of Babylonian exiles (including Daniel in Jehoiakim's fourth year, cf. Dan 1:1-6). The narrative here shifts from the last flicker of true covenant loyalty under Josiah to the darkness of apostasy and impending judgment under his successors.

2 Kings 23 36 Word Analysis

• Jehoiakim (יְהוֹיָקִים, Yehoyaqim): This name means "Yahweh raises up" or "Yahweh establishes." His original name was Eliakim (אֶלְיָקִים, Elyaqim), meaning "God raises up." The change from Eli- (God) to Yehoi- (Yahweh) was made by Pharaoh Neco (2 Kgs 23:34). This was a deliberate act of the Egyptian overlord to symbolize his authority and sovereignty over the Judean king, reinforcing Judah's subjugation. It is ironic that a king whose name proclaimed Yahweh's establishment did "evil in the sight of the LORD" (2 Kgs 23:37) and was ultimately brought low.
• was twenty-five years old: This indicates he was a mature man, though still relatively young for a king in the ancient Near East, especially compared to the eight-year-old Josiah at his ascension (2 Kgs 22:1). His age suggests he was old enough to make his own decisions and thus bears full responsibility for his wicked reign, unlike some child kings guided by regents.
• when he began to reign: This phrase, common in the book of Kings, marks the formal commencement of a new reign, initiating the chronological structure of the history of the monarchy.
• and he reigned eleven years: His reign of eleven years was relatively short, characterized by political instability and spiritual apostasy. It saw the rise of Babylon and Judah's increasingly desperate situation, culminating in the first wave of deportations.
• in Jerusalem: The established capital of the Davidic kingdom and the location of the Temple. Its mention here anchors the narrative to the spiritual and political heart of Judah, which, despite its sacred status, continued in sin.
• His mother's name was Zebidah (זְבוּדָה, Zevudah): This name means "given" or "endowed." The inclusion of the queen mother's name is a standard practice in the book of Kings (e.g., 2 Kgs 21:1; 22:1; 24:8), indicating her significance, particularly in legitimizing the king's lineage and sometimes reflecting her influence in court politics or the religious climate of the early part of the reign.
• the daughter of Pedaiah (פְּדָיָה, Pedayah) of Rumah: Pedaiah means "Yahweh has ransomed/redeemed." The specific mention of her father and hometown ("Rumah") provided further detail for verifying lineage and added a personal, regional dimension to the royal accounts. Rumah's exact location is uncertain; it may be Arumah near Shechem, but could refer to another locality. This specificity is common in the ancient Near Eastern annalistic tradition and in the biblical text as a means of factual grounding.

2 Kings 23 36 Bonus section

The naming convention of Judean kings, where the queen mother's name is consistently provided (e.g., Rehoboam's mother Naamah the Ammonitess, Asa's mother Maacah daughter of Abishalom, etc.), emphasizes the importance of lineage and could subtly hint at maternal influence on the king's character or policies. For instance, the mothers of some kings known for idolatry are mentioned. However, for Jehoiakim, beyond the factual identity, no specific influence from Zebidah is noted, though her "Rumah" origin may signify the king's connection to certain regional factions.

The change of Jehoiakim's name from Eliakim is a profound act of denigration and political power play. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, renaming someone signified absolute authority and possession over that individual, much like a slave master renaming a slave, or a victor renaming a vanquished king. Neco's imposition of "Jehoiakim" on Eliakim meant to underscore that Eliakim's kingship was solely by Egyptian decree and power, not by Yahweh's divine appointment or popular Judean choice, thus publicly humiliating the Judean royal line and implicitly challenging Yahweh's authority. This incident exemplifies the turbulent political landscape of the time, where Judah was caught between the waning power of Egypt and the rising might of Babylon.

2 Kings 23 36 Commentary

2 Kings 23:36 serves as the official introduction to the reign of Jehoiakim, marking a definitive downward turn for the kingdom of Judah. Having succeeded Josiah, who brought about significant reforms, and Jehoahaz, whose brief rule ended in Egyptian captivity, Jehoiakim's accession underscored Judah's diminishing autonomy. The fact that he was enthroned by Pharaoh Neco and had his name changed from Eliakim to Jehoiakim fundamentally symbolized Judah's political subjugation to Egypt. This act was not merely administrative; it was a potent theological and political statement of Pharaoh's dominance, directly challenging Yahweh's supreme authority over His people and their king.

Despite the recent spiritual revival under Josiah, Jehoiakim immediately rejected God's commands and followed in the footsteps of previous wicked kings. His reign, explicitly characterized as "evil in the sight of the LORD" (2 Kgs 23:37), directly contrasted with his father's righteous rule and hastened Judah's destruction. Prophecies, particularly through Jeremiah, pronounced severe judgment on Jehoiakim for his unrighteousness, exploitation of his people, persecution of prophets, and defiant destruction of God's revealed word (Jer 22:13-19; 26:20-23; 36:20-26). His personal choices solidified Judah's path toward divine judgment, serving as a stark warning about the consequences of spiritual defiance, even after profound opportunities for repentance. His end was prophesied to be inglorious, "buried with the burial of a donkey," unmourned (Jer 22:19), indicating God's strong displeasure. This verse sets the stage for the fulfillment of the long-standing warnings of judgment for disobedience.