2 Chronicles 27:8

KJV

He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

He was five {H2568} and twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and reigned {H4427} sixteen {H8337}{H6240} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He was twenty-five years old when he began his reign, and he ruled for sixteen years in Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years.

American Standard Version

He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 27:8 serves as a pivotal chronological anchor within the Chronicler's account of King Jotham, succinctly providing the essential data of his age at ascension and the total duration of his reign from Jerusalem. This precise regnal formula, characteristic of biblical historical narratives, not only grounds Jotham's rule within the broader timeline of the Davidic dynasty but also sets the stage for the theological and moral evaluation of his kingship, detailed in the surrounding verses. It encapsulates a period of relative stability and faithfulness for Judah, contrasting with the reigns that preceded and followed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse functions as the concluding biographical summary for King Jotham, immediately following the Chronicler's positive assessment of his character and accomplishments in [2 Chronicles 27:1-7](/2-chronicles/27-1-7 "2 Chronicles 27:1-7 - Jotham's Righteous Reign and Achievements"). It adheres to the standardized regnal formula found consistently throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, providing a structured framework for the reigns of Judah's monarchs. Jotham's reign is presented as a period of relative righteousness and strength, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of his father Uzziah's presumptuous sin and subsequent leprosy ([2 Chronicles 26:16-21](/2-chronicles/26-16-21 "2 Chronicles 26:16-21 - Uzziah's Sin and Divine Judgment")) and the profound apostasy that would characterize the reign of his son, Ahaz ([2 Chronicles 28:1-5](/2-chronicles/28-1-5 "2 Chronicles 28:1-5 - Ahaz's Wicked Reign and Idolatry")). The information in this verse finds a direct parallel in [2 Kings 15:33](/2-kings/15-33 "2 Kings 15:33 - Parallel Account of Jotham's Reign"), underscoring the shared historical traditions and sources utilized by both biblical authors, though the Chronicler often adds theological commentary and details pertinent to the Temple and covenant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jotham's reign, typically dated from approximately 750 to 735 BC, occurred during a tumultuous period in the ancient Near East. The formidable Assyrian Empire was rapidly expanding its influence, posing an increasing threat to the smaller kingdoms of Judah and Israel. While the verse itself is a concise factual record, it situates Jotham firmly within the unbroken line of Davidic kings, emphasizing the continuity of the covenant promises despite external pressures and internal challenges. The practice of co-regency, where a son assumed administrative duties alongside an ailing or incapacitated father, was a common and practical solution in ancient Judah to ensure a smooth transition of power and maintain stability. This was the case with Jotham, who effectively governed while his father Uzziah was afflicted with leprosy ([2 Chronicles 26:21](/2-chronicles/26-21 "2 Chronicles 26:21 - Jotham's Co-Regency Under Uzziah")). Jerusalem, as the divinely chosen capital, remained the political, religious, and spiritual heart of the kingdom, signifying the legitimate seat of the Davidic throne and the central location of the Temple.

* **Key Themes:** Though brief, 2 Chronicles 27:8 contributes significantly to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book of 2 Chronicles. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the **continuity of the Davidic covenant and dynasty**, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving a legitimate ruler on the throne in Jerusalem, even amidst the moral failings and spiritual lapses of previous kings. Secondly, it highlights the **Chronicler's meticulous attention to historical detail and chronological precision**, which serves a crucial theological purpose: to validate the divine oversight of Israel's history and to underscore the reliability of God's unfolding plan. Thirdly, by providing the foundational chronological framework for Jotham's reign, the verse indirectly points to the profound theme of **righteous leadership and its consequences**. While this specific verse is purely factual, the preceding verses ([2 Chronicles 27:2-6](/2-chronicles/27-2-6 "2 Chronicles 27:2-6 - Jotham's Righteousness and Prosperity")) emphasize Jotham's general adherence to God's ways, which, for the Chronicler, invariably leads to national prosperity and strength—a core theological principle woven throughout his narrative.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reign (Hebrew, _mâlak'_):** H4427, a primitive root meaning "to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty." This verb signifies the exercise of royal authority and the act of ruling as a king. In the context of the Davidic monarchy, it carries profound theological weight, as the king's rule was understood to be divinely appointed and mediated, making the duration of his "reign" a measure of his time of influence, responsibility, and accountability before God and the people.
* **Years (Hebrew, _shâneh'_):** H8141, from a root meaning "to repeat" or "to revolve"; a "year" (as a revolution of time). This word precisely quantifies the duration of Jotham's rule, emphasizing the specific period of time during which he held the royal office. The meticulous counting of "years" underscores the Chronicler's historical precision and the linear progression of God's plan through time.
* **Jerusalem (Hebrew, _Yᵉrûwshâlaim'_):** H3389, a dual noun, probably from "founded peaceful"; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine. This name refers to the capital city of Judah, the divinely chosen seat of the Davidic dynasty, and the location of the Temple. Ruling "in Jerusalem" affirmed the legitimacy of the king's rule, his connection to the Davidic covenant, and the central role of the city in Judah's national and religious identity as the place where God had chosen to establish His name.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign":** This clause provides the precise age of King Jotham at the formal commencement of his sole reign. At twenty-five, he was considered a mature adult, likely having gained invaluable administrative and governance experience during his co-regency with his father Uzziah, who was afflicted with leprosy and confined ([2 Chronicles 26:21](/2-chronicles/26-21 "2 Chronicles 26:21 - Uzziah's Leprosy and Jotham's Co-Regency")). This detail underscores his preparedness and the smooth, legitimate transition of power within the Davidic line.
* **"and reigned sixteen years":** This specifies the total duration of Jotham's independent rule as king of Judah. This period, though relatively short compared to some other kings, represents a significant tenure during which he initiated building projects, achieved military successes against the Ammonites, and largely maintained faithfulness to God ([2 Chronicles 27:3-6](/2-chronicles/27-3-6 "2 Chronicles 27:3-6 - Jotham's Building Projects and Victories")). The number highlights a period of stability and strength for the kingdom under his leadership.
* **"in Jerusalem":** This final phrase confirms the geographical seat of Jotham's authority. His reign from Jerusalem emphasizes his authentic succession within the Davidic line and the continued centrality of the city as the political, cultural, and spiritual heart of the kingdom of Judah. It signifies the legitimate and divinely sanctioned place of rule for the descendants of David.

#### Literary Devices
2 Chronicles 27:8 primarily employs the **Regnal Formula**, a standardized literary convention used extensively throughout the historical books of Kings and Chronicles. This formula typically provides concise, essential data about a monarch's reign, including their age at ascension, the duration of their rule, and the capital city from which they reigned. Its use here serves as a precise **Chronological Marker**, firmly situating Jotham's rule within the broader timeline of Judah's history and providing a consistent framework for comparing and contrasting the various reigns. The verse's notable **Conciseness** is also a key literary feature, efficiently conveying vital historical information without extraneous detail, allowing the Chronicler to maintain narrative flow and focus on the theological implications and moral evaluations of Jotham's reign elsewhere in the chapter. This brevity ensures that the focus remains on the king's character and actions, rather than mere biographical data.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple historical record carries profound theological weight within the Chronicler's narrative. It underscores God's unwavering sovereignty over human history and the succession of rulers, demonstrating His faithfulness to the Davidic covenant despite the imperfections and moral failures of individual kings. The meticulous recording of Jotham's reign duration and location highlights the Chronicler's concern for historical accuracy, which serves to validate the divine narrative unfolding through the lives of Judah's kings. Jotham's generally righteous reign, encapsulated by this chronological marker, foreshadows the Chronicler's consistent message: obedience to God leads to stability, prosperity, and blessing, while disobedience invites judgment and decline. This verse, therefore, is not merely a historical fact but a foundational piece for understanding the theological framework by which the Chronicler evaluates leadership and demonstrates God's consistent engagement with His covenant people.

* [2 Chronicles 27:6](/2-chronicles/27-6 "2 Chronicles 27:6 - Jotham's Strength Through Righteousness")
* [2 Kings 15:33](/2-kings/15-33 "2 Kings 15:33 - Parallel Account of Jotham's Reign")
* [Proverbs 16:12](/proverbs/16-12 "Proverbs 16:12 - Righteousness Establishes a Throne")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The concise record of Jotham's reign in 2 Chronicles 27:8, while brief, offers a profound invitation for us to reflect on the significance of our own "reign" or sphere of influence—the time, talents, and opportunities God has entrusted to each of us. Just as Jotham was given a specific tenure and a specific place (Jerusalem) to rule, each of us is given a unique context and duration for our lives, ministries, and callings. This verse challenges us to consider how we are stewarding our time and influence, whether we are beginning our endeavors with integrity and devotion, and how we are using our "reign" to honor God and serve His purposes. Jotham's example, particularly his general righteousness and his commitment to building and strengthening the kingdom, reminds us that faithfulness in our assigned roles, no matter how grand or humble, is what truly matters in God's eyes. It also suggests that even the seemingly small, factual details of our lives are observed and recorded by Him, inviting us to live with intentionality and accountability.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Chronicler's emphasis on Jotham's reign encourage us to consider the impact of our own "reign" or sphere of influence in the time God has given us?**
* **What lessons can we draw from the consistent biblical record-keeping of leadership, even in seemingly simple verses like this, regarding God's sovereignty and our accountability?**
* **In what ways does Jotham's example, particularly his beginning well and his generally righteous conduct, challenge us to start and continue our endeavors with integrity and devotion to God?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Bible record such precise details about kings' ages and reign durations?**

Answer: The meticulous recording of details like a king's age at ascension and the duration of their reign serves several crucial purposes within the biblical narrative. Firstly, it provides a robust **historical and chronological framework**, allowing for the accurate dating of events, prophecies, and the overall timeline of biblical history, thereby demonstrating the Bible's grounding in actual historical occurrences. Secondly, it underscores the profound **theological principle of divine sovereignty** over human rulers and the flow of history; God is actively involved in raising up and bringing down leaders according to His purposes. Thirdly, these consistent details provide a standardized basis for **evaluating the kings' reigns** in light of their obedience or disobedience to God's covenant, which is a central concern for the Chronicler. Finally, it validates the **continuity of the Davidic line**, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises regarding an enduring dynasty.

**What was the significance of Jotham's co-regency before his sole reign?**

Answer: While 2 Chronicles 27:8 marks the formal beginning of Jotham's *sole* reign, the preceding chapter ([2 Chronicles 26:21](/2-chronicles/26-21 "2 Chronicles 26:21 - Jotham's Co-Regency")) indicates that Jotham began administering the kingdom while his father Uzziah was still alive but afflicted with leprosy. This co-regency was a practical and necessary arrangement due to Uzziah's ritual impurity, which prevented him from fulfilling his royal duties, particularly those related to the Temple. Its significance lies in several key aspects: it ensured a **smooth and stable transition of power** within the Davidic dynasty, preventing any vacuum or dispute; it provided Jotham with **invaluable administrative and governance experience** before assuming full responsibility, preparing him for the demands of kingship; and it demonstrated the **resilience and adaptability of the Davidic monarchy** in facing unexpected challenges while maintaining legitimate rule from Jerusalem.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 27:8 is a historical record of a human king's reign, it subtly points forward to the ultimate and eternal King, Jesus Christ. Jotham, as a descendant of David, participated in the Davidic line through which the Messiah was promised to come. His "reign" in Jerusalem, though limited in scope and duration, foreshadows the perfect and everlasting reign of Christ. Unlike Jotham, whose "sixteen years" eventually ended, Jesus's kingship is eternal, as powerfully prophesied in [Isaiah 9:7](/isaiah/9-7 "Isaiah 9:7 - The Everlasting Kingdom of the Messiah") and definitively affirmed in [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Reign of Jesus"). Jotham's generally righteous conduct as king, which brought stability and strength to Judah, pales in comparison to the perfect righteousness of Christ, who truly "reigns" not just from an earthly Jerusalem but from the heavenly throne, establishing a kingdom that is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of This World")) and bringing ultimate peace, justice, and salvation. Every earthly king, including Jotham, serves as a faint echo and an imperfect type of the true King, whose "reign" brings salvation and whose dominion is over all creation, having been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")).

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 Chronicles 27:1

¶ Jotham [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also [was] Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.