In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah king of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign.

2 KINGS 15:32KJV
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2 Kings 15:32 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:32 mean?

2 Kings 15:32 states that Jotham, the son of Uzziah, began to rule as king of Judah during the second year of Pekah, the son of Remaliah, who was king of Israel. This verse marks a transition of leadership in Judah and sets the timeline in relation to the reign of Israel’s king.

The book of 2 Kings is recording the succession of kings in both the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). This verse is part of a historical record, giving readers a clear point in time by linking Jotham’s rise to power with Pekah’s reign in Israel. The verse helps track the overlapping reigns of different kings, which was important for understanding the broader history of Israel and Judah.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:32

  • שָׁנָה (shanah, H8141) — “year”: This word is used to specify the timing of Jotham’s reign, showing the careful tracking of years between the two kingdoms.
  • מָלַךְ (malakh, H4427) — “reign”: This verb indicates the official start of Jotham’s kingship, clarifying that he began to rule as king, not just as a co-regent or assistant.
  • יְהוּדָה (Yehudah, H3063) — “Judah”: Naming Judah makes it clear that Jotham ruled the southern kingdom, distinguishing him from the kings of Israel.

Why 2 Kings 15:32 matters

  • This verse helps readers keep track of the complex timeline of Israel and Judah’s kings, which can be confusing due to overlapping reigns and co-regencies.
  • By mentioning both Jotham and Pekah, the verse highlights the division between the two kingdoms and the parallel stories being told in 2 Kings.
  • The careful dating and naming in this verse show the historical approach of the biblical writers, who wanted to provide an accurate record for future generations.

Where else these words appear

“Pekah” Hebrew H6492 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
  • 2 Kings 15:30 And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
  • 2 Kings 16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

“Remaliah” Hebrew H7425 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
  • 2 Kings 16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.
  • Isaiah 7:4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

“Jotham” Hebrew H3147 · used in 24 verses

  • Judges 9:5 And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
  • 2 Kings 15:36 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • 2 Chronicles 27:1 Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.

“Uzziah” Hebrew H5818 · used in 26 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:13 Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned a full month in Samaria.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
  • 2 Chronicles 27:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.