And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.
2 CHRONICLES 21:6KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 21:6 mean?
2 Chronicles 21:6 says that King Jehoram of Judah followed the same ways as the kings of Israel, especially the family of Ahab, because he married Ahab’s daughter. As a result, Jehoram did what was considered evil by the LORD.
This verse is part of a historical account where the writer explains why Jehoram’s reign was marked by wrongdoing. The text points out that Jehoram’s marriage to Ahab’s daughter led him to adopt the same corrupt practices as Ahab’s family in Israel, which the LORD saw as evil. The chronicler is highlighting the negative influence of this alliance and its consequences for Judah.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 21:6
- "walked" (יָלַךְ, yalak): This word means to live or conduct oneself in a certain way. Here, it emphasizes that Jehoram adopted a lifestyle and choices similar to the kings of Israel, not just a single action.
- "way" (דֶּרֶךְ, derek): This word means a path or manner of life. The verse uses it to show that Jehoram’s whole approach to ruling was patterned after Israel’s kings, not Judah’s.
- "evil" (רַע, ra‘): This word means something morally bad or wicked. The verse stresses that Jehoram’s choices were not just poor decisions but were seen as morally wrong by the LORD.
Why 2 Chronicles 21:6 matters
- This verse clarifies that Jehoram’s downfall was not just personal failure but was tied to his alliances and the influence of Ahab’s family, showing how relationships can shape a leader’s actions.
- The verse connects the history of Judah to the history of Israel, warning that adopting the practices of others, especially those considered unfaithful, can lead to trouble.
- It helps explain the decline in Judah’s spiritual and moral state during Jehoram’s reign, setting up the reasons for the judgments that follow in the narrative.