Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
2 KINGS 23:31KJVWhat does 2 Kings 23:31 mean?
2 Kings 23:31 records that Jehoahaz became king of Judah at the age of twenty-three and ruled in Jerusalem for only three months. The verse also names his mother as Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah, giving a brief family background.
This verse is part of a historical account in the book of Kings, which describes the succession of Judah’s rulers. The writer is summarizing the beginning of Jehoahaz’s short reign, noting both his age and the length of his rule. Mentioning his mother and her family roots was common in royal records, helping to identify his lineage and possible political connections.
The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 23:31
- "Jehoahaz" (יְהוֹאָחָז, Yeho’achaz) means "Yahweh has grasped." This name reflects the tradition of including God’s name in royal names, which was common in Judah.
- "Hamutal" (חֲמוּטַל, Ḥamutal) is a rare name, and its mention highlights her importance in Jehoahaz’s background. Naming the mother and her father, "Jeremiah" (יִרְמְיָה, Yirmeyah), shows the significance of family ties in royal succession.
- "Libnah" (לִבְנָה, Livnah) was a town in Judah. Stating Hamutal’s origin from Libnah may hint at regional alliances or influences in the royal court.
Why 2 Kings 23:31 matters
- This verse helps clarify the timeline and family connections of Judah’s last kings, which is important for understanding the political instability before the Babylonian exile.
- The brief reign of Jehoahaz, highlighted here, signals a period of rapid leadership changes and turmoil in Jerusalem.
- Mentioning the mother’s lineage shows how royal succession and legitimacy were often tied to both paternal and maternal ancestry in the biblical record.