2 Kings 23:36 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 23:36 mean?

2 Kings 23:36 gives basic facts about Jehoiakim, stating that he became king of Jerusalem at age twenty-five and ruled for eleven years. The verse also names his mother as Zebudah, daughter of Pedaiah, from a place called Rumah.

This verse is part of a historical record in the book of 2 Kings, which often introduces each king of Judah or Israel with details about their age, length of reign, and family background. The information sets the stage for what follows in the account of Jehoiakim’s rule, helping readers place him in the timeline and family line of Judah’s kings.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 23:36

• יְהוֹיָקִים (Yehoiakim): This is the Hebrew name for Jehoiakim, meaning "Yahweh raises up." The use of his full Hebrew name connects him to the tradition of Judah’s kings who often had names referencing God.
• שֵׁם (shem): The Hebrew word for "name," used here to specify the identity of Jehoiakim’s mother. Naming the mother was a way to clarify royal lineage and legitimacy.
• רוּמָה (Rumah): This is the name of a town, likely in northern Israel. Mentioning Rumah gives a geographic detail that may hint at family alliances or origins outside Jerusalem.

Why 2 Kings 23:36 matters

• This verse establishes Jehoiakim’s place in the royal line and provides context for the events that will be described during his reign, which was a turbulent time in Judah’s history.
• By naming Jehoiakim’s mother and her family, the verse emphasizes the importance of maternal lineage in royal succession, which was sometimes significant in ancient Judah.
• The details here help readers track the sequence of kings and understand the broader story of Judah’s decline, especially as the nation moves closer to exile.