And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;

2 KINGS 25:27KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 25:27 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 25:27 mean?

2 Kings 25:27 describes how, after thirty-seven years in captivity, Jehoiachin, the former king of Judah, was released from prison by Evilmerodach, the new king of Babylon. This event took place in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day, marking a significant change in Jehoiachin’s situation.

The verse is part of the closing section of 2 Kings, which records the fate of Judah’s last king after Jerusalem’s fall. The Babylonian king Evilmerodach (Amel-Marduk) chose to “lift up the head” of Jehoiachin, a phrase meaning to show him favor or restore his dignity, after many years of imprisonment. This act signals a small note of hope or mercy at the end of a long period of national tragedy for Judah.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 25:27

  • "Captivity" (גּוֹלָה, golah): This word means exile or being carried away, emphasizing that Jehoiachin was not just imprisoned but was part of a larger group taken from their homeland.
  • "Lift up" (נָשָׂא, nasa’): In this context, “lift up the head” is an idiom for showing favor or releasing someone from disgrace. It is more than just letting Jehoiachin out; it signals a restoration of status or dignity.
  • "Prison" (בֵּית הַכֶּלֶא, beit hakkele’): This phrase literally means “house of confinement,” underscoring the harshness of Jehoiachin’s long-term imprisonment.

Why 2 Kings 25:27 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jehoiachin’s release was not immediate after Babylon’s conquest but came after a long period—thirty-seven years—highlighting the endurance of exile.
  • The mention of Evilmerodach’s first year as king suggests a change in Babylonian policy or attitude toward the exiled Judean royalty.
  • This release sets up the final verses of 2 Kings, which show Jehoiachin living with some dignity in Babylon, hinting at the survival and future hope of the line of David even in exile.

Where else these words appear

“Evilmerodach” Hebrew H192 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 52:31 And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison,

“Jehoiachin” Hebrew H3078 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:6 So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 24:12 And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

“prison” Hebrew H3608 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:27 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
  • Jeremiah 37:15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.

“captivity” Hebrew H1546 · used in 14 verses

  • Isaiah 20:4 So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
  • Jeremiah 29:22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
  • Ezekiel 33:21 And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.