2 Chronicles 36:2

Jehoahaz [was] twenty and three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.

Jehoahaz {H3099} was twenty {H6242} and three {H7969} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} three {H7969} months {H2320} in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Y'ho'achaz was twenty-three years old when he began his reign, and he ruled for three months in Yerushalayim.

Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months.

Joahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 36:2 introduces Jehoahaz, also known as Shallum (see Jeremiah 22:11), as the immediate successor to his father, the righteous King Josiah. This verse concisely details his brief and ill-fated reign, marking a significant turning point in the final decline of the Kingdom of Judah.

Context

The historical backdrop to Jehoahaz's ascension is critical. He became king after the tragic death of his father, Josiah, at the Battle of Megiddo against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt (2 Chronicles 35:20-24). Despite Josiah's reforms, Judah was still steeped in idolatry and rebellion against God, setting the stage for divine judgment. The "people of the land" installed Jehoahaz, bypassing his older brother, Eliakim (later renamed Jehoiakim), perhaps due to popular sentiment or a desperate attempt to assert independence after Josiah's death.

Key Themes

  • The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Power: Jehoahaz's reign of merely three months dramatically illustrates how quickly power can be gained and lost. This brevity underscores the instability of Judah during its final years and the ultimate transience of human authority apart from God's sustaining hand.
  • Accelerated Decline of Judah: His short and troubled reign is a clear symptom of Judah's rapid spiritual and political deterioration. Following Josiah's righteous rule, Jehoahaz (who "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD," according to 2 Kings 23:32) quickly faced external intervention, leading to his deposition and exile.
  • Divine Judgment Unfolding: While not explicitly stated in this verse, Jehoahaz's swift removal by Pharaoh Necho (2 Chronicles 36:3) is part of God's unfolding judgment on Judah for its persistent unfaithfulness, paving the way for the Babylonian exile.

Linguistic Insights

The name Jehoahaz (Hebrew: ื™ึฐื”ื•ึนืึธื—ึธื–, Yeho'ahaz) means "the LORD has grasped" or "the LORD has held." This meaning carries a poignant irony given his fate: he was quickly "grasped" and taken captive by Pharaoh Necho, highlighting God's sovereign control even over the political machinations of nations and the final kings of Judah.

Practical Application

The account of King Jehoahaz serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of righteous leadership and the consequences of sin. His short reign emphasizes that true stability and lasting peace do not come from human plans or political maneuvering, but from alignment with God's will. For believers today, it highlights the call to use any position of influence, no matter how brief, for God's glory and according to His righteous standards, recognizing that all earthly power is ultimately temporary and subject to divine oversight.

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Cross-References

No cross-references found.