2 Kings 24:9 kjv
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.
2 Kings 24:9 nkjv
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.
2 Kings 24:9 niv
He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father had done.
2 Kings 24:9 esv
And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.
2 Kings 24:9 nlt
Jehoiachin did what was evil in the LORD's sight, just as his father had done.
2 Kings 24 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 24:8 | Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign... | Introduces Jehoiachin's reign immediately before. |
| 2 Kgs 23:32 | And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done. (Jehoahaz) | Jehoahaz, another predecessor, also did evil. |
| 2 Kgs 23:37 | And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done. (Jehoiakim) | Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin's father, set the precedent. |
| 2 Kgs 21:2 | And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations... (Manasseh) | Manasseh's extreme evil greatly influenced Judah. |
| 2 Kgs 13:2 | And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and followed the sins of Jeroboam... | Common verdict for wicked kings in both kingdoms. |
| 1 Kgs 11:6 | So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD... | Even early kings departed from God. |
| Jer 22:24-30 | As I live, declares the LORD, though Coniah (Jehoiachin)...be the signet ring...yet I will tear you off... | Prophecy specifically against Jehoiachin's destiny. |
| Jer 24:1-10 | The Lord showed me: behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple... | Jehoiachin and the exiles depicted as "good figs." |
| Ezek 19:1-9 | And you, take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel...she raised up another twig (Jehoiachin)... | Ezekiel's lament over the captured Judahite kings. |
| Jer 52:31-34 | In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah... Evil-merodach...released Jehoiachin. | Later mercy shown to Jehoiachin in exile. |
| 2 Kgs 25:27-30 | Confirmation of Jehoiachin's release from prison and favored status. | Further details of Jehoiachin's release. |
| Mt 1:11 | And Josiah the father of Jechoniah (Jehoiachin) and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon. | Jehoiachin is in Jesus's genealogy, showing divine plan. |
| Deut 28:15 | But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these curses shall come upon you. | Covenant curses for disobedience, fulfilled in exile. |
| Lev 26:14-39 | But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments... | Consequences of disobeying God's commandments. |
| Rom 3:23 | For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, | Universal human propensity to evil/sin. |
| Isa 59:2 | But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God... | Sin causes a barrier between humanity and God. |
| Prov 28:13 | Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses...will obtain mercy. | Call to confess sin rather than continuing in it. |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as iniquity... | Highlighting the seriousness of rebellion against God. |
| Hos 8:4 | They made kings, but not through me; they set up princes, but I knew it not. | Kingship without God's approval leads to corruption. |
| Dan 1:1-2 | In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah... Nebuchadnezzar...came to Jerusalem... | Context of Jehoiakim's and subsequent Jehoiachin's reigns leading to exile. |
| Neh 9:26-31 | Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back... | Summarizes Israel's repeated pattern of rebellion. |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | Reinforces "in the sight of the LORD" as divine scrutiny. |
2 Kings 24 verses
2 Kings 24 9 Meaning
2 Kings 24:9 states that King Jehoiachin of Judah committed evil in the Lord's sight, mirroring the actions of his father, Jehoiakim. This brief theological assessment indicates his spiritual depravity and rebellion against God's covenant, contributing to the nation's imminent judgment and exile. His reign, though short, continued the pattern of apostasy established by previous kings.
2 Kings 24 9 Context
2 Kings 24:9 is situated within the tragic narrative of Judah's final years of monarchy before the Babylonian exile. Chapter 24 begins with Jehoiakim's rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar and subsequent death, followed by his son Jehoiachin's short three-month reign. This verse immediately describes Jehoiachin's spiritual state. The "evil" of these kings was not merely political misjudgment but active idolatry and moral corruption, rejecting the Mosaic covenant. Historically, this period reflects the geopolitical struggle between Egypt and Babylon for regional dominance, with Judah caught in the middle. Theologically, the book of Kings interprets these events as divine judgment for Judah's long-standing unfaithfulness, particularly the sins of its kings like Manasseh and Jehoiakim. The chronicling of each king's "evil" acts underscores the covenant lawsuit God had with His people.
2 Kings 24 9 Word analysis
- And he did: The Hebrew wayyaʿas (וַיַּעַשׂ) connects Jehoiachin's actions to his predecessor's and to the overarching narrative of Judah's spiritual decline. It marks the commencement of his specific conduct.
- what was evil: The Hebrew haraʿ (הָרַע) means bad, evil, morally wrong, displeasing. This is a common phrase in Kings, often referring to a departure from God's commands (the Law) and involvement in idolatry, injustice, and other covenant violations. It encompasses both actions and character.
- in the sight of the LORD: The Hebrew bəʿeynê YHWH (בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה) translates literally as "in the eyes of Yahweh." This phrase emphasizes that God is the ultimate judge, whose moral standards are absolute. It means that His actions were offensive and rebellious specifically to God, not just to people. This phrase points to God's omnipresence and perfect discernment, where no action can be hidden. It signifies divine judgment and accountability. The use of "YHWH" (the covenant name of God) heightens the theological gravity, as the king was failing the very God with whom Israel had a covenant.
- according to all that: This phrase signifies the king's deliberate choice to align with or perpetuate the wickedness that came before him. It points to continuity and pattern.
- his father had done: Refers to King Jehoiakim. This establishes a lineage of apostasy. It implies Jehoiachin continued or replicated his father's specific evil practices, particularly likely Jehoiakim's idolatry, oppression, and rebellion against divine counsel (cf. Jer 22:13-19). This highlights the destructive power of a wicked legacy and lack of repentance.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- And he did what was evil: This phrase serves as the standardized verdict pronounced by the Deuteronomistic historian against most kings of Judah and Israel. It categorizes the king's reign not by political success or failure, but by spiritual adherence or rebellion to God's covenant. This recurring indictment establishes a consistent moral framework by which kingship is judged.
- in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done: This combines divine judgment with generational sin. It shows that Jehoiachin's actions were not only inherently offensive to God but also part of an entrenched pattern of disobedience within the Davidic dynasty. It suggests an inheritance of rebellion rather than a break from it, which sealed Judah's fate. It implies the deep corruption that permeated the royal line and eventually led to the end of the kingdom.
2 Kings 24 9 Bonus section
The recurring "evil in the sight of the LORD" formula found throughout Kings serves a didactic purpose for the exilic community: it was their own sin and the unfaithfulness of their leaders, not God's inability or injustice, that led to their current plight. This confession was essential for national repentance and hope for restoration. While Jehoiachin continued the evil of his father, the narrative later shows a subtle divine mercy towards him in Babylon (Jer 52:31-34), hinting that God’s long-suffering might extend even to the sons of wicked kings, perhaps paving the way for eventual return. This particular king is also noteworthy as one of the Davidic lineage found in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, illustrating God's sovereignty working through imperfect human lines.
2 Kings 24 9 Commentary
2 Kings 24:9 is a concise yet profoundly significant theological statement regarding King Jehoiachin's reign. The recurring verdict "he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD" is the interpretive lens through which the Deuteronomistic historian views Judah's demise. It signifies not merely bad political decisions, but a comprehensive rebellion against God's covenant law and character. Jehoiachin's specific offense lay in continuing the idolatry, unfaithfulness, and social injustice practiced by his father, Jehoiakim. This short verse highlights that Judah's destruction was not an arbitrary geopolitical event, but a direct consequence of divine judgment for systemic, generational unfaithfulness by its leaders. It reinforces the principle that national well-being was contingent on covenant fidelity, and deviation from God's ways led inevitably to punishment, specifically exile as outlined in Deuteronomy. This verse is part of a larger literary framework demonstrating how the kingdom progressively disqualified itself from God's blessings and protection.