2 Chronicles 36:11

KJV

¶ Zedekiah [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

Zedekiah {H6667} was one {H259} and twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and reigned {H4427} eleven {H259}{H6240} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Tzedekyah was twenty-one years old when he began his reign, and he ruled for eleven years in Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years.

American Standard Version

Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 36:11 introduces Zedekiah, the final king of Judah before the Babylonian exile, succinctly stating his age at ascension (twenty-one) and the duration of his reign (eleven years) in Jerusalem. This verse serves as a sober prelude to the catastrophic downfall of the Southern Kingdom, marking the definitive end of the independent Davidic monarchy in Judah and setting the stage for the fulfillment of divine judgment due to generations of unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the precipice of Judah's collapse, immediately following the brief and ill-fated three-month reign of Jehoiachin and his subsequent deportation to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:9-10). The Chronicler, having meticulously traced the lineage and reigns of the Davidic kings, now arrives at the final, tragic chapter of the monarchy. Zedekiah's reign is presented as the culmination of Judah's persistent rebellion and refusal to heed prophetic warnings, leading directly into the detailed account of Jerusalem's destruction, the burning of the temple, and the seventy-year exile (2 Chronicles 36:17-21). This verse, therefore, acts as the final historical marker before the great national catastrophe, emphasizing the end of an era rather than a new beginning.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon after the deportation of his nephew, King Jehoiachin, and the cream of Jerusalem's society in 597 BC. Judah was by this point a vassal state, its sovereignty severely compromised. Zedekiah's reign was characterized by a delicate balance between Babylonian overlordship and internal factions pushing for rebellion, often encouraged by neighboring states and false prophets. Despite the clear warnings from the prophet Jeremiah, who consistently advocated for submission to Babylon as God's appointed instrument of judgment (Jeremiah 27:12-15), Zedekiah vacillated and ultimately chose a path of defiance. His decision to rebel against Babylon, seeking an alliance with Egypt, directly provoked Nebuchadnezzar's final, devastating siege of Jerusalem, which lasted from 588-586 BC.

* **Key Themes:** The introduction of Zedekiah in this verse underscores several crucial themes that permeate the book of Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it marks **The End of an Era**, signaling the cessation of independent monarchical rule in Jerusalem for the Davidic line, a profound theological and political shift. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequence**, as Zedekiah's reign is the final act in Judah's long history of apostasy, culminating in the fulfillment of covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The Chronicler emphasizes that this judgment is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and rejection of God's messengers (2 Chronicles 36:15-16). Finally, even in this tragic conclusion, the **Sovereignty of God in History** is powerfully affirmed. Despite human failure and national catastrophe, God remains in control, orchestrating events to fulfill His prophecies and ultimately preserve a remnant for His redemptive purposes, even beyond the exile (Jeremiah 29:10-14).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zedekiah (Hebrew, _Tsidqiyyahu'_):** This name means "My righteousness is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my righteousness." The name itself carries profound irony, as Zedekiah's reign was characterized by unrighteousness, rebellion against God's revealed will through Jeremiah, and a failure to lead his people in repentance. His personal unfaithfulness and political miscalculations directly led to the destruction of Jerusalem, standing in stark contrast to the divine righteousness his name proclaimed.
* **Reigned (Hebrew, _malakh'_):** This verb signifies the exercise of royal authority and power. While Zedekiah "reigned," his rule was severely constrained, not by divine favor but by Babylonian imposition. He was a vassal king, a puppet of Nebuchadnezzar, which highlights the diminished sovereignty of Judah. His "reign" was thus one of nominal power, ultimately leading to the complete loss of independence and the dismantling of the monarchy.
* **Eleven years (Hebrew, _'ashte 'esreh shanim'_):** This specific duration is significant. It marks a relatively short reign, especially when compared to some of his more stable predecessors. The brevity of his rule underscores the rapid decline of Judah and the swiftness of God's final judgment. It conveys a sense of finality and impending doom, as these eleven years would prove to be the last for the Davidic monarchy in Jerusalem.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Zedekiah [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign":** This clause establishes the identity of the final king and his youthful age at ascension. The mention of his age highlights the burden placed upon a relatively young ruler in a kingdom on the brink of collapse. It also sets a chronological marker for the beginning of the end.
* **"and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.":** This clause specifies the duration and location of his rule. The "eleven years" signify the final period of Judah's independence under a Davidic king. The mention of "Jerusalem" underscores the tragic fate awaiting the holy city, the center of Israelite worship and the seat of the Davidic throne, which would soon be utterly destroyed. This phrase succinctly encapsulates the final, tumultuous chapter of the Southern Kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this concise verse. **Brevity** is paramount; the verse is remarkably short, starkly contrasting with the monumental and tragic events it introduces. This conciseness serves to heighten the sense of impending doom, as if the narrative itself is rushing towards its inevitable, devastating conclusion. There is a strong element of **Foreshadowing** here; merely introducing Zedekiah and the duration of his reign, after the account of Jehoiachin's brief rule and deportation, signals that this is the final act. The reader, familiar with the broader biblical narrative, immediately understands the gravity of this introduction. Furthermore, there is profound **Irony** in Zedekiah's name, "Yahweh is my righteousness," given his persistent unrighteousness and defiance of God's will, which ultimately sealed Judah's fate. This ironic contrast between name and character underscores the spiritual bankruptcy that led to the nation's downfall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 36:11, though brief, is saturated with theological significance, marking the culmination of God's long-suffering patience with Judah and the inevitable execution of His covenant curses. The end of the Davidic monarchy in Jerusalem, even if temporary, signifies the profound consequences of persistent disobedience and the rejection of prophetic warnings. It underscores that God's covenant promises, while ultimately unbreakable, do not negate the immediate consequences of human sin and rebellion. This verse serves as a stark reminder that divine judgment is a reality, not merely a threat, and that God holds nations and their leaders accountable for their actions. Yet, even in judgment, God's sovereignty is evident, orchestrating the exile not as an end, but as a severe discipline intended to purify His people and prepare them for future restoration.

* [2 Kings 24:18-20](/2_kings/24-18 "2 Kings 24:18-20 - Parallel Account of Zedekiah's Reign")
* [Jeremiah 52:1-3](/jeremiah/52-1 "Jeremiah 52:1-3 - Jeremiah's Account of Zedekiah's Reign")
* [Deuteronomy 28:63-64](/deuteronomy/28-63 "Deuteronomy 28:63-64 - Prophecy of Exile for Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zedekiah's story, encapsulated by this introductory verse, serves as a profound cautionary tale for all generations. His reign, characterized by a refusal to heed divine counsel through the prophet Jeremiah, illustrates the devastating consequences of spiritual blindness and political folly. Despite being placed in a position of immense responsibility at a critical juncture in history, Zedekiah chose self-reliance and rebellion over submission to God's sovereign plan, even when that plan involved temporary hardship. For believers today, this narrative underscores the critical importance of discerning and obeying God's will, especially when it is difficult or counter-intuitive to worldly wisdom. It reminds us that ignoring divine warnings, whether from Scripture, godly counsel, or the promptings of the Holy Spirit, inevitably leads to detrimental outcomes. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider our own leadership, whether in families, churches, or communities, and to ask if we are truly seeking God's righteousness and guidance, or if we are relying on our own strength and wisdom, risking our own "exile" from His blessing and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's guidance, similar to Zedekiah's refusal to heed Jeremiah?**
* **How does Zedekiah's tragic end highlight the importance of humility and submission to divine authority, even when it is costly?**
* **What "warnings" or "prophetic words" (e.g., from Scripture, wise counsel) am I currently overlooking or dismissing in my own life?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Chronicler dedicate so little space to Zedekiah's reign, given its monumental significance?**

Answer: The Chronicler's primary purpose is not to provide a detailed historical biography of each king, but rather to trace the spiritual trajectory of Judah and the Davidic monarchy, explaining the reasons for the exile and pointing towards future hope. By the time of Zedekiah, the Chronicler has already established the pattern of disobedience and divine patience. The brevity of Zedekiah's introduction and the swift transition to the destruction and exile (2 Chronicles 36:17-21) underscore the finality of God's judgment. It suggests that Zedekiah's reign was merely the final, inevitable step in a long process of national apostasy, requiring little elaboration beyond its tragic outcome. The focus shifts from the king's actions to the *consequences* of those actions for the nation, highlighting God's justice and sovereignty in bringing about the prophesied end of an era.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic end of the Davidic monarchy with Zedekiah's reign, as introduced in 2 Chronicles 36:11, profoundly underscores the need for a perfect, eternal King. Zedekiah's failure—his unrighteousness, his rebellion against God's word, and his ultimate inability to save his people—highlights the inherent limitations and sinfulness of human kingship. This historical low point in the Davidic line serves to amplify the glory and necessity of Jesus Christ, the true Son of David. Unlike Zedekiah, whose name ironically meant "Yahweh is my righteousness" but whose life was marked by unrighteousness, Jesus is truly the [righteous King](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5-6 - The Righteous Branch, Jesus Christ"), whose perfect obedience and sinless life fulfill all righteousness. The temporary cessation of the Davidic throne in Jerusalem points forward to the establishment of an eternal, spiritual kingdom under Christ, whose reign is not dependent on human faithfulness or political power but on divine appointment and perfect sacrifice. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the [King who reigns forever and ever](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord"), and the one who perfectly fulfills the covenant promises made to David, establishing a kingdom that [will have no end](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - Jesus' Eternal Kingdom"). The failure of Zedekiah thus serves as a dark backdrop against which the brilliant, unwavering light of Christ's perfect and eternal reign shines even more brightly.

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 24:18

Zedekiah [was] twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

2 Kings 24:20

For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 28:1

¶ And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, [and] in the fifth month, [that] Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which [was] of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

Jeremiah 52:1

¶ Zedekiah [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

Jeremiah 52:3

For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 27:1

¶ In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,