King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Zibiah of Beersheba.
Complete Jewish Bible:
It was in the seventh year of Yehu that Y'ho'ash began to rule, and he ruled forty years in Yerushalayim. His mother's name was Tzivyah, from Be'er-Sheva.
Berean Standard Bible:
In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.
American Standard Version:
In the seventh year of Jehu began Jehoash to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
In the seventh{H7651} year{H8141} of Jehu{H3058} Jehoash{H3060} began to reign{H4427}; and forty{H705} years{H8141} reigned{H4427} he in Jerusalem{H3389}. And his mother's{H517} name{H8034} was Zibiah{H6645} of Beersheba{H884}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Kings 11:21
- Seven years old [was] Jehoash when he began to reign.
2 Chronicles 24:1
- ¶ Joash [was] seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also [was] Zibiah of Beersheba.
2 Chronicles 24:14
- And when they had finished [it], they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, [even] vessels to minister, and to offer [withal], and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.
2 Kings 11:1
- ¶ And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
2 Kings 11:4
- ¶ And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.
1 Chronicles 3:11
- Joram his son, Ahaziah his son, Joash his son,
2 Kings 9:27
- But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw [this], he fled by the way of the garden house. And Jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot. [And they did so] at the going up to Gur, which [is] by Ibleam. And he fled to Megiddo, and died there.
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Commentary for 2 Kings 12:1
2 Kings 12:1 introduces us to Jehoash, also known as Joash, who becomes king of Judah in the seventh year of King Jehu's reign in Israel. The verse establishes the timeline of Jehoash's rule, noting that he reigned for forty years in Jerusalem, which was the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This lengthy reign is significant as it suggests a period of relative stability and continuity in Judah's monarchy.
The mention of Jehoash's mother, Zibiah, from Beersheba, is noteworthy as it highlights the importance of matrilineal heritage in the royal lineage, a common practice in ancient times to establish legitimacy and political alliances. Beersheba was a significant city in the southern part of Judah, and Zibiah's origins there may indicate a connection to the southern tribes or important families within the kingdom.
The historical context of Jehoash's reign is set against the backdrop of the divided monarchy, where the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were separate political entities. During this time, Judah was often overshadowed by the more powerful northern kingdom of Israel. The stability of Jehoash's forty-year reign contrasts with the political turmoil and frequent coups that characterized the northern kingdom.
Thematically, 2 Kings 12:1 is part of a larger narrative that deals with the Davidic dynasty, the importance of temple worship in Jerusalem, and the religious reforms that were attempted in Judah. Jehoash's reign would be marked by efforts to repair and maintain the Temple of Solomon, which was central to the religious life of Judah. The subsequent chapters detail Jehoash's dedication to the Temple's restoration and his interactions with the high priest Jehoiada, who played a significant role in his life, especially in his early years as king.
In summary, 2 Kings 12:1 sets the stage for the account of King Jehoash's reign in Judah, emphasizing the duration and stability of his rule, the significance of his mother's lineage from Beersheba, and the religious and political dynamics of the time, which would shape the events of his reign as recorded in the following chapters.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - Strong's Number: H8141
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנֶה
Transliteration: shâneh
Pronunciation: shaw-neh'
Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). - Strong's Number: H3058
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֵהוּא
Transliteration: Yêhûwʼ
Pronunciation: yay-hoo'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and הוּא; Jehovah (is) He; Jehu, the name of five Israelites; Jehu. - Strong's Number: H3060
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוֹאָשׁ
Transliteration: Yᵉhôwʼâsh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-awsh'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and (perhaps) אֵשׁ; Jehovah-fired; Jehoash, the name of two Israelite kings; Jehoash. Compare יוֹאָשׁ. - Strong's Number: H4427
There are 284 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָלַךְ
Transliteration: mâlak
Pronunciation: maw-lak'
Description: a primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel; consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H705
There are 178 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְבָּעִים
Transliteration: ʼarbâʻîym
Pronunciation: ar-baw-eem'
Description: multiple of אַרְבַּע; forty; -forty. - Strong's Number: H3389
There are 600 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם
Transliteration: Yᵉrûwshâlaim
Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im
Description: rarely יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of יְרוּשָׁלֵם)); probably from (the passive participle of) יָרָה and שָׁלַם; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine; Jerusalem. - Strong's Number: H517
There are 387 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵם
Transliteration: ʼêm
Pronunciation: ame
Description: a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father)); dam, mother, [idiom] parting. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H6645
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִבְיָּה
Transliteration: Tsibyâh
Pronunciation: tsib-yaw'
Description: for צְבִיָּה; Tsibjah, an Israelite; Zibiah. - Strong's Number: H884
There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ
Pronunciation: be-ayr' sheh'-bah
Description: from בְּאֵר and שֶׁבַע (in the sense of שָׁבַע); well of an oath; Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine; Beer-shebah.