And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

2 CHRONICLES 20:31KJV
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2 Chronicles 20:31 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 20:31 mean?

2 Chronicles 20:31 states that Jehoshaphat became king over Judah at the age of thirty-five and ruled from Jerusalem for twenty-five years, and it names his mother as Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. This verse gives basic biographical details about Jehoshaphat’s reign and family background.

The verse is part of a historical record written by the Chronicler, summarizing Jehoshaphat’s time as king. It situates Jehoshaphat within the royal lineage of Judah, noting his age at the start of his reign, the length of his rule, his capital city, and his maternal ancestry. This information helps the reader understand the timeline and family connections of Judah’s kings.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 20:31

  • "Reigned" (מָלַךְ, malakh): This word is used multiple times in the verse, emphasizing Jehoshaphat’s role as king and the official nature of his rule over Judah.
  • "Judah" (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah): This specifies the southern kingdom, distinguishing Jehoshaphat’s territory from the northern kingdom of Israel.
  • "Azubah" (עֲזוּבָה, Azuvah): Naming Jehoshaphat’s mother and her father, Shilhi, is a way the Chronicler often roots a king’s legitimacy and background in family history, which mattered to the original audience.

Why 2 Chronicles 20:31 matters

  • This verse marks a transition point in the narrative, moving from Jehoshaphat’s actions as king to a summary of his reign.
  • By naming Jehoshaphat’s mother and grandfather, the Chronicler highlights the importance of maternal lineage in royal records, which sometimes affected claims to the throne.
  • The details about Jehoshaphat’s age and length of reign help readers place his rule in the broader timeline of Judah’s kings and biblical history.

Where else these words appear

“Shilhi” Hebrew H7977 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:42 Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

“Azubah” Hebrew H5806 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:42 Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:18 And Caleb the son of Hezron begat children of Azubah his wife, and of Jerioth: her sons are these; Jesher, and Shobab, and Ardon.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:19 And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
  • 2 Kings 3:1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.