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 23:31KJV
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2 Kings 23:31 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“Hamutal” Hebrew H2537 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:18 Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 52:1 Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

“Libnah” Hebrew H3841 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 33:20 And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah.
  • Joshua 10:39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
  • 2 Kings 19:8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

“Jehoahaz” Hebrew H3059 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Kings 10:35 And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
  • 2 Kings 23:34 And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:18 Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 29:1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.