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.

JEREMIAH 52:1KJV
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Jeremiah 52:1 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 52:1 mean?

Jeremiah 52:1 states that Zedekiah became king of Jerusalem at the age of twenty-one and ruled for eleven years; it also names his mother as Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah. This verse sets the historical context for the final king of Judah before Jerusalem’s fall.

Jeremiah 52:1 is a factual introduction, giving the reader the basic details about Zedekiah’s reign. The verse is part of a summary at the end of the book, likely written to remind readers of the key figures and events leading up to Jerusalem’s destruction. Mentioning Zedekiah’s mother and her family roots ties the king to earlier generations and helps trace the royal lineage.

Why Jeremiah 52:1 matters

  • Jeremiah 52:1 clears up who was ruling Judah at the time of its fall and how long he reigned, which is important for understanding the timeline of Jerusalem’s destruction.
  • By naming Zedekiah’s mother and her family, the verse connects the story back to earlier chapters and shows the continuity of the royal line.
  • This verse signals the beginning of a historical summary, helping the reader see the transition from Judah’s last king to the events that followed.

Where else these words appear

“Hamutal” Hebrew H2537 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 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 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.

“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.

“Zedekiah” Hebrew H6667 · used in 62 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.
  • Jeremiah 27:12 I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
  • Jeremiah 38:5 Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 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.
  • Jeremiah 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
  • Jeremiah 38:7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;