2 Chronicles 33:21

ยถ Amon [was] two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.

Amon {H526} was two {H8147} and twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and reigned {H4427} two {H8147} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he began his reign, and he ruled for two years in Yerushalayim.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years.

Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 33:21

This verse introduces King Amon, the son and successor of King Manasseh, to the throne of Judah. It marks a transition in the narrative, following Manasseh's extraordinarily long and complex reign. Manasseh, despite his initial profound wickedness and idolatry, is recorded in 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 as having humbled himself and repented before God later in his life. Amon, however, did not follow his father's example of repentance. His reign serves as a brief, unfortunate interlude before the significant reforms initiated by his son, King Josiah, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 34:1.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Succession and Continuity: The verse highlights the orderly transfer of power within the Davidic line, despite the moral character of the individual kings. This continuity was a significant aspect of God's covenant with David.
  • Brevity of Reign: Amon's reign of only two years was notably short, especially compared to his father Manasseh's 55-year rule. This brevity often signals instability or a tragic end, which is further elaborated in the subsequent verses (2 Chronicles 33:24).
  • The King's Age: Starting his reign at 22 years old, Amon was relatively young. This detail, common in the chronicler's record of kings, helps establish the historical timeline.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Amon" (Hebrew: ืึธืžื•ึนืŸ, 'ฤ€mรดn) means "skilled worker" or "builder." Ironically, Amon's short reign was characterized by tearing down what his father, Manasseh, had begun to restore, and a return to idolatry, rather than building up the nation spiritually.

Significance and Application

Amon's short and wicked reign illustrates several important principles for believers today:

  • Personal Choice: Despite having a father who, though initially wicked, ultimately repented, Amon chose to revert to sin and idolatry (2 Chronicles 33:22). This emphasizes that each individual is responsible for their own choices and spiritual path, regardless of their upbringing or family legacy.
  • The Impact of Leadership: Even a brief period of unrighteous leadership can have negative consequences for a nation or community. Amon's idolatry further entrenched the people in practices that diverged from God's law.
  • God's Patience and Plan: Despite the recurring cycles of sin and repentance among Judah's kings, God's overarching plan for His people and the Davidic line remained steadfast. Amon's reign was a dark moment, but it was followed by the light of Josiah's reforms, demonstrating God's continued work through history.

This verse, though simple in its statement, sets the stage for understanding the spiritual and political climate of Judah leading up to the pivotal reign of Josiah.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 21:19

    ยถ Amon [was] twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

  • 2 Kings 21:24

    And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:1

    ยถ Manasseh [was] twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

  • James 4:13

    Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

  • James 4:15

    For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

  • Luke 12:19

    And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.

  • Luke 12:20

    But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
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