2 Kings 25 27

2 Kings 25:27 kjv

And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;

2 Kings 25:27 nkjv

Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.

2 Kings 25:27 niv

In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Awel-Marduk became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. He did this on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month.

2 Kings 25:27 esv

And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.

2 Kings 25:27 nlt

In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of King Jehoiachin of Judah, Evil-merodach ascended to the Babylonian throne. He was kind to Jehoiachin and released him from prison on April 2 of that year.

2 Kings 25 verses

2 Kings 25 27 Meaning

This verse records a significant event at the end of the Book of 2 Kings: the release of King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison by Evil-Merodach, the new king of Babylon. Thirty-seven years into his captivity, Jehoiachin, still recognized as "king of Judah," received elevated status and provision within Babylon. This act, coming after the utter destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, serves as a surprising flicker of hope for the continuation of the Davidic line and God's covenant promises, despite the deep judgment upon Judah.

2 Kings 25 27 Context

Chapter 25 of 2 Kings depicts the devastating final phase of Judah's history before the return from exile. It records the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, its fall, the destruction of the Temple and city, and the mass deportation of its inhabitants to Babylon. The king, Zedekiah, is captured, his sons executed before his eyes, and he is then blinded and taken in chains to Babylon. The subsequent assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, leads to the final exodus of the remaining Judahites to Egypt, seemingly ending any hope for the Davidic line or a return to the land.

Against this backdrop of utter ruin, loss, and despair, verse 27 provides a striking counterpoint. After charting the continuous downward spiral of apostasy, unfaithfulness, and judgment that led to Judah's destruction, this brief account of Jehoiachin's improved status in Babylon introduces a surprising note of divine mercy and continuity. It's the very last historical detail presented in the book, deliberately leaving the reader with a slight glimpse of God's enduring covenant and ultimate sovereignty, even over the seemingly omnipotent Babylonian empire. It bridges the time of absolute despair with a subtle whisper of future restoration, keeping alive the promise of a Davidic king.

2 Kings 25 27 Word Analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - va-yhi): A common Hebrew idiom for "And it happened" or "Now it came to pass." It introduces a significant event, often implying divine superintendence over the unfolding of history.

• in the thirty-seventh year (בִּשְׁלֹשִׁים וְשֶׁבַע שָׁנָה - bishlosim v'sheva shana): A precise historical marker. This long period (597 BC to 560 BC) signifies Jehoiachin's enduring suffering and the lengthy judgment of God upon Judah. It also underscores the exact fulfillment of prophecy concerning the seventy years of exile.

• of the captivity (לְגָלוּת - le-galut): Literally "of the exile" or "to the exile." This term emphasizes the state of displacement and foreign rule.

• of Jehoiachin king of Judah (יְהוֹיָכִין מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה - Yehoyakhin melekh Yehudah): Jehoiachin (also known as Coniah or Jeconiah) retained his royal title despite being a captive. This recognition by the Babylonian court, recorded here, is crucial. It affirms the continuity of the Davidic line, even when seemingly broken, and his significance in the genealogy leading to the Messiah (Matt 1:11).

• in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month: Further specific dating, providing verifiable historical detail. This precision enhances the account's historical veracity and implies God's hand in specific timings.

• that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon (אֱוִיל מְרֹדַךְ מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל - Evil Merodach melekh Babel): Akkadian name Amēl-Marduk, meaning "man of Marduk." He was the successor of Nebuchadnezzar II. His reign was relatively short (c. 562-560 BC). This detail illustrates God's sovereignty over Gentile rulers, whose hearts are in His hand (Prov 21:1).

• in the year that he began to reign (בִּשְׁנַת הִמָּלְכוֹ - bishnat himmalkho): It was customary for new monarchs to grant clemency or establish new policies upon ascending the throne. This timing, however, is attributed to God's providence.

• released (וַיָּצֵא - vayyaset lit. "brought out" or "took out"): The verb implies taking Jehoiachin out of his physical confinement, elevating his status. It signifies a turning point from extreme hardship to comparative favor. This is not a release to Judah but within Babylon.

• from prison (מִבֵּית כֶּלֶא - mibbêt kele): Explicitly states his confinement, emphasizing the magnitude of his elevation from a dark and miserable place. This sets a contrast with his previous dire conditions.

• "And it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah": This phrase highlights the long period of exile and God's patience, while also precisely marking the end of a specific prophetic timeline tied to Jehoiachin's deportation. The recognition of him as "king of Judah" signals that God's covenant with David remains intact, even in chains.

• "Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison": This shows divine orchestration through a foreign, pagan king. Evil-Merodach's act was not an arbitrary decision but part of God's overarching plan to sustain the Davidic line and offer a hint of future hope. The double mention of "king of Judah" reaffirms Jehoiachin's legitimate, if symbolic, royal standing.

2 Kings 25 27 Bonus Section

• Archaeological Confirmation: Clay tablets, known as the "Jehoiachin's Rations Tablets," discovered near the Ishtar Gate in Babylon, confirm the provision of oil and barley rations to Jehoiachin ("Yaukin, king of the land of Yahud") and his five sons. These date from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, reinforcing the historicity of Jehoiachin's captivity and his royal treatment, leading up to Evil-Merodach's subsequent elevation.
• Continuity of the Messianic Line: This seemingly minor event is critical because Jehoiachin is explicitly listed in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt 1:11), bridging the pre-exilic Davidic line with the post-exilic line that would eventually lead to the Savior. God preserved the seed through whom salvation would come.
• Contrast with Zedekiah: Unlike Jehoiachin, King Zedekiah, who was the last ruling king in Judah, suffered a brutal fate—witnessing the death of his sons before being blinded and taken to Babylon (2 Ki 25:7). Jehoiachin's experience, in contrast, serves as a beacon of unexpected grace, highlighting God's differing dealings with His people.

2 Kings 25 27 Commentary

The final verse of 2 Kings stands as a poignant and unexpected conclusion to a book otherwise filled with despair and divine judgment. After recounting the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of the people, the story might be expected to end with unmitigated darkness. Instead, the sudden and seemingly inexplicable act of clemency shown to Jehoiachin, a long-imprisoned Judahite king, offers a glimpse of enduring hope. This seemingly small act carries profound theological significance. It demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with David (2 Sam 7:12-16), ensuring the continuity of the royal line even in its most desperate hour. While Judah was under foreign domination and its kingdom was seemingly gone, a descendant of David still held the title "king of Judah," symbolizing that God's promises had not been abrogated. It implies that God's plans are greater than any immediate disaster, setting the stage for future restoration and ultimately, the coming of the Messiah from this very lineage (Matt 1:11). This act reminds believers that God works through unexpected means and even through pagan rulers (Prov 21:1) to accomplish His divine purposes. It transforms a chronicle of defeat into a subtle whisper of future redemption, a testament to God's sovereign control over history and His unbreakable word.