2 Chronicles 36:5

KJV

Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jehoiakim {H3079} was twenty {H6242} and five {H2568} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} eleven {H259}{H6240} years {H8141} in Jerusalem {H3389}: and he did {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068} his God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoyakim was twenty-five years old when he began his reign, and he ruled for eleven years in Yerushalayim. He did what was evil from the perspective of ADONAI his God.

Berean Standard Bible

Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

American Standard Version

Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse introduces Jehoiakim, a pivotal figure in the final decline of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, concisely detailing the beginning and duration of his reign. More significantly, it delivers a stark theological verdict on his character, declaring that he "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God," thereby setting the stage for the accelerating judgment that would culminate in the Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Chronicles 36:5 is situated within the concluding chapters of Chronicles, which rapidly recount the reigns of Judah's last kings—Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah—leading directly to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. The Chronicler's primary aim is to explain the exile as a direct consequence of the nation's and its leaders' persistent disobedience to God's covenant. This verse immediately follows the account of Josiah's righteous reign and tragic death, highlighting the precipitous spiritual decline that Judah experienced under his successors. The brevity with which Jehoiakim's reign is summarized, particularly the emphasis on his evil, underscores the Chronicler's theological agenda, focusing on the spiritual state of the kings as the determinant of national destiny rather than elaborate political narratives.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jehoiakim reigned from 609-598 BC, a period of immense geopolitical upheaval in the ancient Near East. The once-dominant Assyrian Empire had collapsed, and two new superpowers, Egypt and Babylon, vied for regional supremacy. Judah found itself precariously positioned between these two giants. Jehoiakim, originally named Eliakim, was placed on the throne by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt after the Egyptians defeated and killed his father, Josiah, at Megiddo ([2 Kings 23:34](/2_kings/23-34 "2 Kings 23:34 - Pharaoh Neco installs Jehoiakim")). This made Jehoiakim a vassal king, initially loyal to Egypt. However, Babylon's decisive victory over Egypt at Carchemish in 605 BC shifted the balance of power, forcing Jehoiakim to become a Babylonian vassal. Spiritually and culturally, Judah was in a state of profound apostasy, despite Josiah's earlier reforms. Idolatry, social injustice, and a disregard for God's law were rampant, as powerfully condemned by prophets like Jeremiah and Habakkuk, whose warnings Jehoiakim notoriously rejected and even actively suppressed ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it exemplifies the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness**, showing Jehoiakim's reign as a blatant violation of the Mosaic Covenant, directly contrasting with the righteous standard set by God. Secondly, it underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, as Jehoiakim's wickedness directly contributed to the accelerated divine judgment that brought about the Babylonian exile, illustrating how the choices of leaders have profound national repercussions. Thirdly, the phrase "in the sight of the LORD his God" emphasizes the **Divine Standard and Accountability**, asserting that all human actions, especially those of rulers, are ultimately judged by God's absolute righteousness, not by human political expediency or popular opinion. This highlights God's active involvement in history and His unwavering commitment to justice, a theme prevalent throughout the historical books, as seen in the warnings of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jehoiakim (Hebrew, _Yehôyāqîm_):** This name, meaning "Yahweh raises up" or "Yahweh establishes," carries profound irony given the king's actions. While he was indeed "raised up" to the throne, it was by the hand of Pharaoh Neco, not by divine appointment in the Davidic line's spiritual sense. His reign was characterized by rebellion against Yahweh, leading to Judah's downfall rather than its establishment. The name stands in stark contrast to his character and ultimate fate.
* **Evil (Hebrew, _raʿ_):** This term is not merely descriptive of moral badness but denotes that which is actively harmful, destructive, and contrary to God's revealed will and covenant. In the context of Israelite kings, "evil" often encompasses idolatry (worship of other gods), social injustice (oppression of the poor, disregard for law), and a general rejection of God's commands. Jehoiakim's "evil" was manifest in his burning of Jeremiah's scroll ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns Jeremiah's Scroll")) and his oppressive building projects ([Jeremiah 22:13-17](/jeremiah/22-13 "Jeremiah 22:13-17 - Prophecy Against Jehoiakim's Injustice")), demonstrating an active defiance of God.
* **In the sight of the LORD his God (Hebrew, _beʿêynê YHWH ʾelōhāyw_):** This recurring Deuteronomistic phrase is crucial for understanding the theological perspective of the Chronicler. It signifies that the ultimate judge of a king's reign is not the people, nor other nations, but Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes divine accountability and the absolute nature of God's moral standard. Despite human perceptions or political successes, God's judgment is the final and true assessment of a reign's spiritual quality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign":** This clause establishes the age at which Jehoiakim ascended to the throne. At twenty-five, he was a mature adult, fully accountable for his decisions and actions. This detail highlights that his subsequent wickedness was not due to youthful inexperience but was a deliberate choice.
* **"and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem":** This specifies the duration and location of his rule. An eleven-year reign was relatively short compared to some of his predecessors (e.g., Josiah's 31 years), yet it was long enough for him to solidify his wicked policies and further accelerate Judah's spiritual and political decay. The mention of "Jerusalem" underscores his rule over the capital city, the center of Judah's religious and political life, making his evil actions particularly impactful on the nation's spiritual health.
* **"and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God":** This is the theological core of the verse, providing the divine verdict on Jehoiakim's reign. It's a standard formula used throughout Kings and Chronicles to describe unfaithful monarchs, signifying a profound spiritual and moral failure. For Jehoiakim, this included idolatry, oppression, and defiance of prophetic warnings. The phrase "his God" emphasizes the covenant relationship that Jehoiakim, as king of Judah, was obligated to uphold, making his rebellion all the more egregious. His actions were not merely politically inept or socially undesirable but were a direct affront to the God who had chosen and sustained Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in this concise summary. **Formulaic Language** is prominent, as the phrase "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God" is a standard Deuteronomistic assessment used repeatedly to characterize unfaithful kings. This repetition creates a consistent pattern, highlighting Judah's persistent spiritual failure and the Chronicler's theological framework of divine judgment based on obedience or disobedience. There is also a subtle **Juxtaposition** at play; immediately following the detailed account of Josiah's righteous reign, the abrupt introduction of Jehoiakim's evil reign emphasizes the rapid spiritual decline of Judah, underscoring the fragility of reform without sustained commitment. Furthermore, a poignant **Irony** is present in Jehoiakim's name, meaning "Yahweh raises up," as his reign was marked by active rebellion against Yahweh, ultimately leading to Judah's downfall rather than its upliftment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jehoiakim's reign, succinctly condemned in 2 Chronicles 36:5, serves as a stark illustration of the cumulative effect of covenant unfaithfulness and the inevitability of divine judgment. His deliberate choice to "do evil in the sight of the LORD" represents a profound rejection of God's kingship and the principles of the Mosaic Covenant, which mandated justice, righteousness, and exclusive worship of Yahweh. The Chronicler, writing post-exile, uses Jehoiakim's story as part of the larger narrative explaining why the exile occurred: it was not a random geopolitical event, but the just consequence of generations of sin, particularly the spiritual failures of its leaders. God's holiness demands accountability, and His justice ensures that persistent rebellion does not go unpunished. This verse underscores that true authority and stability for a nation, especially one in covenant with God, derive from obedience to divine standards, not from political maneuvering or worldly alliances.

* [2 Kings 23:37](/2_kings/23-37 "2 Kings 23:37 - Jehoiakim's Evil Reign")
* [Jeremiah 22:13-17](/jeremiah/22-13 "Jeremiah 22:13-17 - Prophecy Against Jehoiakim's Injustice and Oppression")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience in the Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jehoiakim's story, though brief in this verse, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers regarding leadership, accountability, and the consequences of moral choices. His reign, characterized by active defiance of God despite prophetic warnings, reminds us that positions of power do not exempt individuals from divine scrutiny; in fact, they heighten the spiritual stakes, as a leader's choices can have far-reaching impacts on those they govern. We are called to examine our own lives, recognizing that our actions, whether in public or private spheres, are always "in the sight of the LORD our God." This compels us to prioritize spiritual integrity and obedience to God's word above worldly expediency, personal gain, or popular approval. Jehoiakim's tragic end serves as a sober warning against rejecting divine counsel and embracing practices contrary to God's will, emphasizing that true prosperity and lasting peace for individuals and communities flow from faithfulness to the Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jehoiakim's story challenge our understanding of leadership and accountability, both in public and personal life?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or corporately, be tempted to "do evil in the sight of the LORD" by prioritizing worldly gain or human approval over divine standards?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Judah's decline under wicked kings about the cumulative effect of unfaithfulness on a community or nation?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Jehoiakim's age and length of reign?**

Answer: Jehoiakim's age of twenty-five when he began to reign signifies that he was a mature adult, fully capable of making responsible decisions. His subsequent wickedness was therefore a deliberate choice, not an error of youth. His eleven-year reign, while not exceptionally long, was sufficient for him to solidify his policies of idolatry and injustice, actively contributing to Judah's rapid spiritual and moral decay. The brevity of his reign, especially following the long and righteous reign of his father Josiah, also highlights the swiftness of divine judgment and the accelerating pace of Judah's decline towards exile.

**How did Jehoiakim's reign differ from his father Josiah's?**

Answer: Jehoiakim's reign was in stark contrast to that of his father, Josiah, who is widely regarded as one of Judah's most righteous kings. Josiah initiated significant religious reforms, purging idolatry from the land, restoring the Temple, and leading the people back to the covenant law of God after the discovery of the Book of the Law ([2 Chronicles 34-35](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34-35 - Josiah's Reforms")). Jehoiakim, however, quickly reversed these reforms. He actively promoted idolatry, engaged in oppressive and unjust building projects without paying his workers ([Jeremiah 22:13-17](/jeremiah/22-13 "Jeremiah 22:13-17 - Prophecy Against Jehoiakim's Injustice")), and notoriously defied God's word by burning the scroll of Jeremiah's prophecy ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns Jeremiah's Scroll")). While Josiah sought to honor God and uphold the covenant, Jehoiakim actively rebelled against it, leading Judah further into sin and closer to judgment.

**Why does the text emphasize "in the sight of the LORD his God"?**

Answer: The phrase "in the sight of the LORD his God" is a crucial theological statement that appears frequently in the historical books. It emphasizes that Jehoiakim, despite being a king with earthly power, was ultimately accountable to a higher authority: Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It means that his actions were not judged merely by human standards, political expediency, or the opinions of his subjects, but by God's absolute and unchanging standard of righteousness. This highlights God's sovereignty over human rulers and His active involvement in judging the moral and spiritual state of His people. It underscores that God sees and evaluates every action, and His judgment is the ultimate and true assessment of a leader's reign.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic reign of Jehoiakim, marked by his persistent evil "in the sight of the LORD his God," stands in profound contrast to the perfect kingship of Jesus Christ. Jehoiakim's failure to uphold the covenant, his active rebellion against God, and his contribution to Judah's exile highlight the desperate need for a truly righteous king. While Jehoiakim's name ironically means "Yahweh raises up," he was raised up by human power and led his people to ruin. In contrast, God truly "raised up" Jesus, the ultimate Davidic King, not to earthly power but to eternal rule, establishing a kingdom of righteousness and peace. Where Jehoiakim oppressed his people and defied God's word, Christ perfectly obeyed the Father, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Jehoiakim's reign contributed to the physical exile of Judah, a consequence of sin; Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came to reverse humanity's spiritual exile from God, bringing reconciliation and eternal life for all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - God Reconciling the World Through Christ")). Thus, Jehoiakim's story, a dark chapter in Israel's history, ultimately points forward to the glorious reign of the Messiah, who alone fulfills the ideal of a king who perfectly does "that which is good in the sight of the LORD his God" ([Hebrews 1:8-9](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8-9 - Christ's Righteous Scepter")).

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 23:36

Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.

2 Kings 23:37

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.

Jeremiah 26:1

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

Jeremiah 22:13

Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; [that] useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

Jeremiah 22:19

He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 36:1

¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, [that] this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

Jeremiah 35:1

¶ The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,