Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.
2 CHRONICLES 21:20KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 21:20 mean?
2 Chronicles 21:20 says that Jehoram became king of Judah at age 32, ruled for eight years in Jerusalem, and died without anyone mourning or missing him. Although he was buried in the city of David, he was not given the honor of being placed in the royal tombs with the other kings.
This verse is part of the account of King Jehoram’s reign, showing how negatively his rule was viewed by the people. The writer highlights that Jehoram’s death was met with indifference, which was unusual for a king, and his burial apart from the royal sepulchres signaled a lack of respect or approval from his nation.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 21:20
- The word "departed" (יָלַךְ, yalak) means "to go" or "to depart." Here, it gently describes Jehoram’s death, but the lack of any positive sentiment shows the people's relief at his passing.
- "Desired" (חֵמֶד, chemed) means "to be desired" or "to be missed." The verse uses this word to stress that Jehoram’s death left no one longing for him, underlining his unpopularity.
- "Sepulchres" (קֶבֶר, qeber) refers to burial places or tombs. Not being buried in the royal tombs was a significant dishonor for a king, emphasizing how poorly Jehoram was regarded.
Why 2 Chronicles 21:20 matters
- This verse clears up that Jehoram’s reign ended in disgrace, not just in death, which helps explain the negative tone of his story in the wider passage.
- The detail about his burial outside the royal tombs shows how a king’s legacy was measured in ancient Judah—not just by power, but by the respect of his people.
- The verse connects to the larger theme in Chronicles about the consequences of a king’s actions, especially when a ruler leads the people away from what was considered right.