2 Chronicles 21:5

KJV

Jehoram [was] thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jehoram {H3088} was thirty {H7970} and two {H8147} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} eight {H8083} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He was thirty-two years old when he began his reign, and he ruled eight years in Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years.

American Standard Version

Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 21:5 serves as a concise, factual introduction to the reign of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, over the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This verse, characteristic of the annalistic style of the Chronicler, records his age at ascension (thirty-two years old) and the duration of his rule (eight years) from Jerusalem, immediately establishing the temporal framework for a period marked by profound spiritual decline, political instability, and egregious wickedness, a stark and tragic contrast to the piety and prosperity of his father.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the summary of King Jehoshaphat's death and burial in [2 Chronicles 21:1](/2_chronicles/21-1 "2 Chronicles 21:1 - Jehoshaphat's Death and Burial"). The transition from Jehoshaphat, a king largely commended for his devotion to Yahweh and his extensive reforms (as seen throughout [2 Chronicles 17-20](/2_chronicles/17 "2 Chronicles 17-20 - The Reign of Jehoshaphat")), to his son Jehoram is abrupt and deeply unsettling. While [2 Chronicles 21:2-4](/2_chronicles/21-2-4 "2 Chronicles 21:2-4 - Jehoram's Ascension and Fratricide") briefly lists Jehoram's brothers and chillingly details his consolidation of power through their murder, verse 5 formally inaugurates his reign. This immediate shift from a righteous father to a murderous, ungodly son sets a deeply ominous tone, with the brevity of Jehoram's reign hinted at as a direct consequence of his impending wickedness, which is explicitly detailed and condemned in [2 Chronicles 21:6](/2_chronicles/21-6 "2 Chronicles 21:6 - Jehoram's Wickedness and Idolatry").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jehoram's reign occurred during a turbulent period for the kingdom of Judah, marked by significant internal strife and external pressures. While his father Jehoshaphat had fostered a period of relative stability, religious revival, and military strength, Jehoram's rule saw a dramatic reversal of these fortunes. The explicit mention of "Jerusalem" as the seat of his reign underscores its profound significance as the capital, the city of David, and the spiritual center of Israelite worship, making Jehoram's subsequent apostasy and the introduction of foreign idolatry all the more grievous and scandalous. Culturally, the meticulous recording of a king's age at ascension and the length of his reign was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern historiography, providing a clear chronological framework for the events that followed. For the Chronicler, writing post-exile, this annalistic style served not merely as a historical record but as a theological commentary, emphasizing that the king's personal righteousness, not merely his Davidic lineage, determined the nation's well-being and the success or failure of his reign, a principle powerfully illustrated by Jehoram's disastrous rule.
* **Key Themes:** The verse, though purely factual, introduces and foreshadows several key themes that permeate the Chronicler's narrative concerning the kings of Judah. Firstly, it highlights the stark **contrast between righteous and wicked leadership**, setting the stage for Jehoram's ungodly reign in direct opposition to his father Jehoshaphat. This serves as a powerful illustration of the principle that personal choices, even within a godly heritage, profoundly impact one's legacy and the nation's spiritual health (cf. [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience")). Secondly, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine judgment and consequences for apostasy**. The relatively short duration of Jehoram's reign (eight years) compared to his father's twenty-five years ([2 Chronicles 20:31](/2_chronicles/20-31 "2 Chronicles 20:31 - Jehoshaphat's Reign Duration")) immediately foreshadows the severity of God's displeasure and the swiftness of the consequences for his wickedness, which included the loss of Edom and Libnah, and a severe, divinely ordained plague (as detailed in [2 Chronicles 21:8-19](/2_chronicles/21-8-19 "2 Chronicles 21:8-19 - Jehoram's Calamities and Death")). Finally, the verse contributes to the Chronicler's overarching emphasis on **retribution theology**, where obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings curses, a pattern consistently and meticulously applied to the kings of Judah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jehoram (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôwrâm'_):** This name is a theophoric compound, meaning "Jehovah-raised" or "Yahweh is exalted." The profound irony of this name in light of Jehoram's subsequent reign, characterized by idolatry, murder, and blatant apostasy, is striking. His life and actions actively contradicted the very meaning of his name, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the God he was supposedly named to exalt. This linguistic detail serves as a subtle, yet powerful, commentary on his character from the very outset of his reign, highlighting a tragic dissonance between identity and action.
* **reigned (Hebrew, _mâlak'_):** This verb is the standard Hebrew term for "to reign" or "to be king," and inceptively, "to ascend the throne." While seemingly straightforward, its use here emphasizes the formal assumption of royal authority and responsibility. The Chronicler's subsequent narrative meticulously details how Jehoram exercised this authority—not in accordance with divine will, nor for the welfare of his people, but in pursuit of personal gain and wickedness, leading to the downfall of his kingdom and his own ignominious end. The root also carries the nuance of "to take counsel," which is tragically ironic given Jehoram's poor and destructive choices.
* **eight years (Hebrew, _shᵉmôneh shânīm'_):** The specific mention of the duration of his reign is a standard feature of biblical annalistic records of kings. However, in Jehoram's case, the brevity of his rule (only eight years) stands in stark contrast to the longer, more prosperous reigns of many of his predecessors, particularly his father Jehoshaphat (25 years). This short duration immediately signals a troubled and ultimately unsuccessful reign, hinting at divine displeasure and the severe consequences of his actions, which are soon to be revealed as God's just retribution for his unfaithfulness and cruelty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jehoram [was] thirty and two years old when he began to reign,"**: This clause provides the precise age at which Jehoram ascended to the throne. At thirty-two, he was a mature adult, suggesting that his subsequent wicked actions were not due to youthful inexperience or immaturity, but rather deliberate and responsible choices. This detail sets the stage for a reign where personal accountability for moral and spiritual decisions will be a central and tragic theme, underscoring that his evil was premeditated.
* **"and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem."**: This clause specifies the total duration of Jehoram's rule and its geographical center. The eight-year reign is notably short, especially when compared to the reigns of more righteous kings in Judah. This brevity, coupled with the mention of Jerusalem (the holy city, the seat of the Davidic covenant, and the place of God's Temple), immediately foreshadows a reign that would be marked by trouble, instability, and divine judgment rather than prosperity, blessing, or national flourishing, directly linking his actions to their consequences.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices within and around this seemingly simple verse, enriching its meaning and foreshadowing the narrative to come. The most prominent is **Annalistic Style**, evident in the precise chronological data (age at ascension, length of reign) typical of ancient Near Eastern royal records. This style provides a factual, historical framework, lending credibility to the unfolding theological narrative. Secondly, there is significant **Foreshadowing**. While the verse itself is purely factual, the brevity of Jehoram's reign (eight years) immediately hints at a troubled and unrighteous rule, especially when implicitly contrasted with his father's longer, more blessed reign. This subtle clue prepares the reader for the grim details of Jehoram's wickedness and the divine judgment that follows in the subsequent verses. Finally, the potent **Irony** of Jehoram's name ("Yahweh is exalted") juxtaposed with his actions (idolatry, murder, apostasy, leading Judah astray) serves as a profound commentary on his character, highlighting the tragic contradiction between his God-given identity and his chosen path of rebellion against the very God his name proclaims.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The factual details of 2 Chronicles 21:5, while seemingly mundane, carry significant theological weight, particularly when viewed within the broader biblical narrative of kingship and divine sovereignty. This verse underscores the Chronicler's consistent emphasis on the principle that the character and choices of a leader directly impact the well-being and spiritual state of the nation. Jehoram's short and wicked reign, introduced by these basic facts, serves as a powerful counter-example to the ideal king, illustrating that even within the divinely appointed Davidic line, personal apostasy and unrighteousness lead to severe consequences and divine judgment. It highlights God's meticulous oversight of history, even in the details of a king's life and reign, and His unwavering commitment to justice, where disobedience brings swift and painful retribution, manifesting His active governance over His people and their rulers.

* [1 Kings 11:4](/1_kings/11-4 "1 Kings 11:4 - Solomon's Heart Turns from God"): Illustrates how even a king with a promising start and immense wisdom can turn away from God, leading to national decline and division, much like Jehoram's trajectory, albeit with different specific outcomes.
* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - Righteous vs. Wicked Rulers"): "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." This proverb perfectly encapsulates the dramatic and tragic contrast between Jehoshaphat's and Jehoram's reigns, demonstrating the direct societal impact of a ruler's character.
* [Deuteronomy 17:14-20](/deuteronomy/17-14-20 "Deuteronomy 17:14-20 - Laws for Kings"): Outlines God's expectations for Israelite kings, emphasizing humility, adherence to the law, and avoidance of foreign entanglements, idolatry, and accumulation of wealth—all principles Jehoram flagrantly violated, leading to his downfall.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 2 Chronicles 21:5 appears to be a simple historical record, its placement and context imbue it with profound spiritual lessons applicable to all believers. It reminds us that every life, every period of influence, and every leadership role, no matter how grand or humble, is a "reign" before God, with a discernible beginning, a defined duration, and an inevitable end. The brevity and wickedness of Jehoram's rule serve as a stark warning: heritage, privilege, or position does not guarantee righteousness or divine favor. What truly matters are the choices we make, the character we cultivate, and our faithfulness to God during our allotted "reign" on earth. This verse challenges us to consider the legacy we are building, not just for ourselves, but for those we influence, urging us to live lives that genuinely exalt God in thought, word, and deed, rather than betraying the very meaning of our calling as His image-bearers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the seemingly mundane historical information in this verse challenge my understanding of God's meticulous involvement in human history and the lives of leaders?**
* **In what ways do my personal choices, even in seemingly small or private matters, contribute to the "legacy" I am building, and how might they impact those around me?**
* **How does Jehoram's example, despite his privileged lineage and the godly heritage of his father, powerfully underscore the paramount importance of personal spiritual commitment over inherited status or position?**
* **What lessons can I draw from the stark contrast between Jehoshaphat's and Jehoram's reigns regarding the profound impact of leadership, whether in a family, a community, a workplace, or a church?**

### FAQ

**Why does the Bible meticulously record the age and reign length of kings like Jehoram?**

Answer: The meticulous recording of a king's age at ascension and the duration of his reign (as seen in [2 Chronicles 21:5](/2_chronicles/21-5 "2 Chronicles 21:5 - Jehoram's Reign Details")) serves several crucial purposes within the biblical narrative. Firstly, it provides a precise chronological framework for biblical history, allowing for the dating and sequencing of events and establishing the historical credibility of the accounts. This annalistic style was common in ancient Near Eastern royal records, but the Chronicler imbues it with theological significance. Secondly, these seemingly simple details often serve as subtle yet powerful indicators of divine favor or judgment. A longer, prosperous reign often signified God's blessing on a righteous king (e.g., Jehoshaphat in [2 Chronicles 20:31](/2_chronicles/20-31 "2 Chronicles 20:31 - Jehoshaphat's Reign Duration")), while a shorter, troubled reign, like Jehoram's, often foreshadowed or reflected divine displeasure due to wickedness (as detailed in [2 Chronicles 21:6-19](/2_chronicles/21-6-19 "2 Chronicles 21:6-19 - Jehoram's Wickedness and Judgment")). Thus, these seemingly simple facts are integral to the Chronicler's overarching theological message about retribution and the direct consequences of obedience or disobedience to God.

**What is the significance of Jehoram's short reign of eight years, especially compared to his father Jehoshaphat?**

Answer: The brevity of Jehoram's eight-year reign, particularly when contrasted with his father Jehoshaphat's twenty-five years ([2 Chronicles 20:31](/2_chronicles/20-31 "2 Chronicles 20:31 - Jehoshaphat's Reign Duration")), is highly significant and reflects the Chronicler's theological perspective on divine justice. It immediately signals a reign marked by trouble, instability, and ultimately, divine judgment. As the subsequent verses in [2 Chronicles 21](/2_chronicles/21 "2 Chronicles 21 - Jehoram's Reign and Judgment") reveal, Jehoram's rule was characterized by extreme wickedness, including the murder of his own brothers ([2 Chronicles 21:4](/2_chronicles/21-4 "2 Chronicles 21:4 - Jehoram Murders His Brothers")), leading Judah into idolatry and apostasy ([2 Chronicles 21:6](/2_chronicles/21-6 "2 Chronicles 21:6 - Jehoram's Evil Ways")), and facing severe external and internal calamities ([2 Chronicles 21:8-19](/2_chronicles/21-8-19 "2 Chronicles 21:8-19 - Jehoram's Calamities and Death")). The short duration of his reign, culminating in a painful death and an ignominious burial ([2 Chronicles 21:19-20](/2_chronicles/21-19-20 "2 Chronicles 21:19-20 - Jehoram's Death and Burial")), serves as a powerful illustration of God's swift and severe judgment against unrighteous kings who lead His people astray, reinforcing the pervasive biblical theme of divine retribution for disobedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The brief, factual introduction to Jehoram's reign in 2 Chronicles 21:5, with its subtle hints of a short and wicked rule, ultimately points to the profound and desperate need for a perfect and eternal King, a longing fully fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jehoram, whose name ironically means "Yahweh is exalted," utterly failed to exalt God, instead leading his people into apostasy, bloodshed, and suffering. His reign, like those of many flawed earthly kings in the Old Testament, underscores the inherent limitations and tragic failures of human leadership, even within the divinely appointed Davidic line. These earthly kings, despite their royal lineage, were temporary, imperfect, and often succumbed to sin and corruption, demonstrating that no human ruler could fully deliver God's people or establish a truly righteous and everlasting kingdom. This continuous cycle of flawed kings and their disastrous reigns, meticulously recorded by the Chronicler, creates a profound longing for the ultimate King, the true Son of David. Jesus, unlike Jehoram, perfectly embodies His name and mission, truly exalting the Father in His life, death, and glorious resurrection. His kingdom is not limited by time or human sin ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - His Kingdom Will Never End")), His reign is one of perfect righteousness and justice ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign")), and His sacrifice atones for the very sins that plagued kings like Jehoram and their people ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice and Atonement")). Thus, Jehoram's brief and tragic reign serves as a poignant shadow, highlighting the glorious and eternal reality of Christ's perfect kingship, under whom all who believe find true salvation, everlasting peace, and a kingdom that will never end.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 8:17

Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

2 Kings 8:22

Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time.