Keraia
2 Kings 23

2 Kings 23:31

Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah · 2 Kings 23:31–35
Read 2 Kings 23

Translations

Modern
Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.
Traditional
Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
Literal
Jehoahaz was a son of twenty-three years in his reigning, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And the name of his mother was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah.
Latin
Viginti trium annorum erat Joachaz cum regnare cœpisset, et tribus mensibus regnavit in Jerusalem: nomen matris ejus Amital filia Jeremiæ de Lobna.

Original

Hebrew
English
Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.

Notes

2 Kings 23:31–34

  • Jehoahaz was originally named Shallum at birth (see study note on 1 Chronicles 3:15). His throne name, Jehoahaz, has been found on seals from the 600s BC. He became king at twenty-three, while his brother Jehoiakim was twenty-five (2 Kings 23:36). There is no explanation for why the younger brother became king.

  • Jehoahaz reigned for three months in 609 BC, possibly during the time when Pharaoh Neco was trying to help the Assyrians (2 Kings 23:29).

Theme notes and profiles

The Collapse of Culture

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 36:1–4

People

Hamutal: Mother of Jehoahaz and Zedekiah, kings of Judah Jehoahaz: King of Judah, son of Josiah Jeremiah: Father-in-law of Jehoahaz and Zedekiah

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions Libnah: A Canaanite city conquered by Joshua; a Levitical city

Glossary

Ezekiel, Book of Hamutal Jehoahaz Jehoiakim Jeremiah (Person) Kings, Books of First and Second Kohath, Kohathites Libnah

Topics

Egypt: The Armies of Deposed Jehoahaz and Made Judea Tributary Egyptians: Invade the Land of Israel: Under Pharaoh-Necho Hamutal: The Mother of Jehoahaz and Zedekiah Israel, Prophecies Concerning: Josiah is Succeeded by Jehoahaz Jehoahaz: Also Called Shallum: King of Judah and Successor of Josiah Jeremiah: of Libnah, Grandfather of Jehoahaz Kings: Who Reigned Over Judah: Jehoahaz Pharaoh: Pharaoh-Necho: His Invasion of Assyria, Josiah's Death