What number verse is 2 Chronicles 27:9 in the Bible?

2 Chronicles 27:9 is the 11,765th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — 2 Chronicles 27:9 sits at position 11,765.

Translation

King James Version

And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And Jotham ^H3147 slept ^H7901 with his fathers ^H1, and they buried ^H6912 him in the city ^H5892 of David ^H1732: and Ahaz ^H271 his son ^H1121 reigned ^H4427 in his stead.

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Complete Jewish Bible

Yotam slept with his ancestors and they buried him in the City of David. Then Achaz his son took his place as king.

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Berean Standard Bible

And Jotham rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Ahaz reigned in his place.

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American Standard Version

And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

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World English Bible Messianic

Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his place.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And Iotham slept with his fathers, and they buryed him in the citie of Dauid: and Ahaz his sonne reigned in his stead.

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Young's Literal Translation

and Jotham lieth with his fathers, and they bury him in the city of David, and reign doth Ahaz his son in his stead.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

2 Chronicles 27:9 succinctly concludes the righteous sixteen-year reign of King Jotham of Judah, marking his death and burial in Jerusalem, the revered city of David. This pivotal verse simultaneously announces the succession of his son, Ahaz, to the throne, setting the stage for a dramatic and spiritually perilous shift in Judah's leadership and national trajectory, as Ahaz would prove to be one of the kingdom's most idolatrous and wicked monarchs.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse serves as the concluding summary of Jotham's sixteen-year reign, which is detailed in 2 Chronicles 27:1-8. The preceding verses laud Jotham as a king who "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 27:2), particularly noting his avoidance of the transgression that befell his father, Uzziah, who presumptuously entered the temple to burn incense (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Jotham's reign was characterized by strength, prosperity, and successful military campaigns, attributed directly to his steadfast walk with God (2 Chronicles 27:6). The formulaic obituary—"slept with his fathers" and burial in the "city of David"—is a standard concluding statement for Israelite monarchs, signaling the continuity of the Davidic dynasty and preparing the reader for the next king's narrative, which in Ahaz's case, is a stark and immediate contrast.
Historical & Cultural Context: The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common euphemism for death in ancient Near Eastern and biblical texts, signifying a peaceful end and being gathered to one's ancestors. Burial in the "city of David" (Jerusalem) was the customary resting place for the kings of Judah, emphasizing their connection to the foundational monarch, David, and the legitimacy of their rule within the Davidic covenant. Jotham's reign occurred during a period of relative stability for Judah, following the long and prosperous rule of Uzziah. However, the broader regional context was volatile, with the rising power of Assyria beginning to exert its influence, which would become a significant factor during Ahaz's reign. The spiritual health of Judah often fluctuated with the character of its king, and the transition from a righteous king like Jotham to a wicked one like Ahaz would have profound implications for the nation's relationship with Yahweh and its geopolitical fate.
Key Themes: The verse encapsulates several recurring themes within the Books of Chronicles. Firstly, Succession and Continuity are paramount, as the orderly transfer of power from father to son underscores the enduring nature of the Davidic covenant, which promised an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Secondly, Mortality and Legacy are highlighted; the death of the king, even a righteous one, reminds the reader of the finite nature of human life and leadership. This shifts focus from the individual ruler to the lasting impact of their reign—their legacy—and the spiritual inheritance passed to their successor. Jotham's positive legacy sharply contrasts with the impending negative legacy of Ahaz. Thirdly, the verse sets up a powerful Contrast of Reigns. The immediate mention of Ahaz, known for his profound wickedness (fully detailed in 2 Chronicles 28), directly after Jotham's piety, creates a dramatic juxtaposition that underscores the Chronicler's theological agenda: the direct correlation between a king's obedience (or disobedience) to God and the nation's prosperity (or suffering).

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

slept (Hebrew, shâkab', H7901): From a primitive root meaning "to lie down" for various purposes, including rest, sexual connection, or decease. In this context, it is a common biblical euphemism for death, particularly for kings and patriarchs, conveying a peaceful passing and the cessation of earthly life. It implies a natural and honored end, consistent with the positive portrayal of Jotham's reign.
fathers (Hebrew, ʼâb', H1): A primitive word referring to a father, literally or figuratively, immediate or remote. In the phrase "slept with his fathers," it signifies being gathered to one's ancestors in death, emphasizing continuity of lineage and an honored place within the family and royal line. It underscores the concept of ancestral heritage and the passing of the torch from one generation to the next.
reigned (Hebrew, mâlak', H4427): A primitive root meaning "to reign," or inceptively, "to ascend the throne." Causatively, it means "to induct into royalty." This word signifies the formal assumption of royal authority and the exercise of kingship. Its use here marks the official transfer of power and the beginning of Ahaz's rule, a pivotal moment in Judah's history.

Verse Breakdown

"And Jotham slept with his fathers": This clause signifies the death of King Jotham. The use of the euphemism "slept with his fathers" emphasizes a peaceful and natural end to his reign, consistent with the Chronicler's positive portrayal of his rule. It marks the conclusion of his earthly life and leadership, acknowledging his place among his royal predecessors.
"and they buried him in the city of David": This indicates Jotham's burial place, Jerusalem, the capital and spiritual center of the kingdom. Burial in the "city of David" was a privilege reserved for most legitimate kings of Judah, signifying his rightful place in the Davidic dynasty and an honorable end to his reign. It also highlights the continuity of the royal burial tradition and the enduring significance of Jerusalem.
"and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead": This final clause announces the succession of Jotham's son, Ahaz, to the throne. This is a standard formula for royal transitions, ensuring the reader understands the continuity of the monarchy. However, given the subsequent narrative, this seemingly neutral statement carries significant dramatic irony, as Ahaz's reign would diverge sharply from his father's righteous path, leading Judah into deep spiritual apostasy.

Literary Devices

The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Euphemism, seen in the phrase "slept with his fathers," which softens the stark reality of death while simultaneously connecting the king to his ancestral lineage. This is a common Formulaic Language found throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles, serving as a consistent obituary marker that signals the end of one reign and the beginning of another, providing structural continuity. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Juxtaposition by placing the righteous Jotham's peaceful end immediately before the announcement of Ahaz's succession. This subtle literary move sets up a dramatic and thematic contrast that the Chronicler will thoroughly explore in the subsequent chapter, highlighting the volatile spiritual state of the kingdom as it transitions from a king who "prepared his ways before the LORD" to one who would "walk in the ways of the kings of Israel" (2 Chronicles 28:2).

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This seemingly simple obituary verse is rich with theological significance for the Chronicler. It underscores the divine orchestration of royal succession within the Davidic covenant, even as it highlights the profound human responsibility of each king. Jotham's righteous reign, marked by prosperity and divine favor, serves as a testament to the principle that obedience to God brings blessing, a central theme in Chronicles. His peaceful passing and honorable burial affirm God's faithfulness to those who walk uprightly. However, the immediate transition to Ahaz foreshadows a period of severe spiritual decline, demonstrating that even a righteous legacy does not guarantee the piety of one's successor. This emphasizes the individual accountability of each leader before God and the ongoing need for the nation to trust in Yahweh, regardless of the king's character. The verse thus subtly points to the broader theological narrative of Judah's spiritual health, which often mirrored the spiritual disposition of its monarch.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The brief account of Jotham's death and Ahaz's ascension offers profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us of the universal reality of mortality; like Jotham, all human lives, regardless of influence or status, are finite. This truth should prompt us to live with an eternal perspective, diligently stewarding the time and opportunities God has given us, ensuring our legacy is one of faithfulness and righteousness, not merely worldly achievement. Secondly, the stark contrast between Jotham's righteous reign and Ahaz's impending wickedness highlights the immense influence of leadership. Whether in our families, churches, workplaces, or communities, our actions and decisions as leaders (or even as individuals) have far-reaching spiritual and moral consequences. We are called to lead with integrity, seeking God's will and prioritizing His honor above all else. Finally, the unpredictability of succession—a good leader followed by a bad one—underscores the sovereignty of God even amidst human choices. It encourages us to pray for those in authority, recognizing that God's purposes unfold through all circumstances, and to place our ultimate trust not in human leaders, but in the unchanging character and unfailing plan of the Lord.

Questions for Reflection

How does the brevity of Jotham's reign, despite its righteousness, challenge my own perspective on time and legacy?
In what areas of my life am I called to lead, and how can I ensure my leadership reflects a commitment to righteousness and God's will?
Considering the transition from Jotham to Ahaz, how does this verse encourage me to place my ultimate hope and trust in God alone, rather than in human leaders or institutions?

FAQ

What is the significance of the phrase "slept with his fathers"?

Answer: The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, particularly for kings and patriarchs in the Old Testament. It signifies a peaceful and natural passing, implying that the deceased was gathered to their ancestors in the grave. This idiom emphasizes continuity within the family line and the natural cycle of life and death. It does not necessarily convey a specific theological statement about the state of the soul after death, but rather marks the end of an earthly life and the transition of leadership. It is used for many notable figures, from King David to Solomon and beyond, often preceding the announcement of their successor.

Why is it important that Jotham was buried in the "city of David"?

Answer: Being buried in the "city of David" (Jerusalem) was a significant honor and a mark of legitimate kingship for the rulers of Judah. This practice connected the deceased king directly to the foundational monarch, David, and underscored their rightful place within the Davidic dynasty. It symbolized their proper succession and their esteemed status within the royal line. While some kings, particularly wicked ones, were denied burial in the royal tombs, Jotham's burial here affirms his righteous reign and his honorable standing among the kings of Judah, in stark contrast to the dishonorable end that would befall some of his successors, like Ahaz's grandson, Joash (2 Chronicles 24:25).

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While 2 Chronicles 27:9 marks the end of a righteous king's reign and the beginning of a wicked one, it subtly points forward to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ. The succession of kings in the Davidic line, though often marked by human failure and spiritual decline, was providentially preserved by God to bring forth the Messiah. Jotham, a king who "did that which was right," foreshadows the perfect righteousness of Christ, who alone lived a life of complete obedience to God (Hebrews 4:15). Unlike earthly kings who "slept with their fathers" and whose reigns were finite, Jesus, the Son of David, conquered death itself, rising from the grave to reign eternally (Revelation 1:18). The "city of David," where Jotham was buried, is the very city from which the true King, Jesus, would emerge, not merely to be buried, but to offer salvation and establish an everlasting kingdom that will never pass away (Luke 1:32-33). Thus, this verse, in its depiction of human succession and mortality, ultimately magnifies the unique and eternal reign of Christ, the perfect King who fulfills all the promises made to David.

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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 27 verses 1–9

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.

2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.

3 He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.

4 Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.

5 He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third.

6 So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.

7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

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

9 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

There is not much more related here concerning Jotham than we had before, Kg2 15:32, etc.

I. He reigned well. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord; the course of his reign was good, and pleasing to God, whose favour he made his end, and his word his rule, and (which shows that he acted from a good principle) he prepared his ways before the Lord his God (Ch2 27:6), that is, he walked circumspectly and with much caution, contrived how to shun that which was evil and compass that which was good. He looked before him, and cast his affairs into such a posture and method as made the regular management of them the more easy. Or he established or fixed his ways before the Lord, that is, he walked steadily and constantly in the way of his duty, was uniform and resolute in it: not like some of those that went before him, who, though they had some good in them, lost their credit by their inconstancy and inconsistency with themselves. They had run well, but something hindered them. It was not so with Jotham. Two things are observed here in his character: - 1. What was amiss in his father he amended in himself (Ch2 27:2): He did according to all that his father did well and wisely; howbeit he would not imitate him in which he did amiss; for he entered not into the temple of the Lord to burn incense as his father did, but took warning by his fate not to dare so presumptuous a thing. Note, We must not imitate the best men, and those we have the greatest veneration for, any further than they did well; but, on the contrary, their falls, and the injurious consequences of them, must be warnings to us to walk the more circumspectly, that we stumble not at the same stone that they stumbled at. 2. What was amiss in his people he could not prevail to amend: The people did yet corruptly. Perhaps it reflects some blame upon him, that he was wanting in his part towards the reformation of the land. Men may be very good themselves, and yet not have courage and zeal to do what they might do towards the reforming of others. however it certainly reflects a great deal of blame upon the people, that they did not do what they might have done to improve the advantages of so good a reign: they had good instructions given them and a good example set before them, but they would not be reformed; so that even in the reign of their good kings, as well as in that of the bad ones, they were treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath; for they still did corruptly, and the founder melted in vain.

II. He prospered, and became truly reputable. 1. He built. He began with the gate of the house of the Lord, which he repaired, beautified, and raised. He then fortified the wall of Ophel, and built cities in the mountains of Judah (Ch2 27:3, Ch2 27:4), took all possible care for the fortifying of his country and the replenishing of it. 2. He conquered. He prevailed against the Ammonites, who had invaded Judah in Jehoshaphat's time, Ch2 20:1. He triumphed over them, and exacted great contributions from them, Ch2 27:5. He became mighty (Ch2 27:6) in wealth and power, and influence upon the neighbouring nations, who courted his friendship and feared his displeasure; and this he got by preparing his ways before the Lord his God. The more stedfast we are in religion the more mighty we are both for the resistance of that which is evil and for the performance of that which is good.

III. He finished his course too soon, but finished it with honour. He had the unhappiness to die in the midst of his days; but, to balance that, the happiness not to out-live his reputation, as the last three of his predecessors did. He died when he was but forty-one years of age (Ch2 27:8); but his wars and his ways, his wars abroad and his ways at home, were so glorious that they were recorded in the book of the kings of Israel, as well as of the kings of Judah, Ch2 27:7. The last words of the chapter are the most melancholy, as they inform us that Ahaz his son, whose character, in all respects, was the reverse of his, reigned in his stead. When the wealth and power with which wise men have done good devolve upon fools, that will do hurt with them, it is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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