Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

2 CHRONICLES 29:1KJV
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2 Chronicles 29:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 29:1 mean?

2 Chronicles 29:1 states that Hezekiah became king of Judah at the age of twenty-five and ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. The verse also names his mother as Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.

This verse introduces Hezekiah’s reign by giving his age, the length of his rule, and his family background. The Chronicler is writing to later generations of Israelites, and this information sets the stage for the story of Hezekiah’s leadership and reforms that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 29:1

  • חִזְקִיָּהוּ (ḥizqiyyāhû, "Hezekiah"): This name means "Yahweh strengthens," hinting at the kind of king he would be remembered as.
  • מָלַךְ (mālaḵ, "reign/reigned"): This word is used twice, emphasizing both the start and the duration of Hezekiah's rule, which was significant for Judah’s history.
  • אֲבִיָּה (’aviyyāh, "Abijah"): The name of Hezekiah’s mother means "Yahweh is my father," which may reflect the family's faith background.

Why 2 Chronicles 29:1 matters

  • The verse highlights Hezekiah’s relatively young age when he became king, which may have influenced his openness to change and reform.
  • Naming Hezekiah’s mother, Abijah, is unusual and may suggest her importance or influence in his life and reign.
  • By connecting Hezekiah to both his father and maternal grandfather, Zechariah, the Chronicler roots his story in a specific family line, which was important for legitimacy and continuity in Judah’s monarchy.

Where else these words appear

“Abijah” Hebrew H29 · used in 25 verses

  • 1 Samuel 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:22 And Rehoboam made Abijah the son of Maachah the chief, to be ruler among his brethren: for he thought to make him king.
  • 2 Chronicles 13:19 And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H3169 · used in 42 verses

  • 2 Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

“Zechariah” Hebrew H2148 · used in 43 verses

  • 2 Kings 14:29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.

“nine” Hebrew H8672 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
  • Numbers 34:13 And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe:
  • 2 Kings 25:3 And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.