2 Kings 24:12

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֵּצֵ֞א went out H3318
וַיֵּצֵ֞א went out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 1 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
יְהֽוֹיָכִ֤ין And Jehoiachin H3078
יְהֽוֹיָכִ֤ין And Jehoiachin
Strong's: H3078
Word #: 2 of 19
jehojakin, a jewish king
מֶ֣לֶךְ and the king H4428
מֶ֣לֶךְ and the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 3 of 19
a king
יְהוּדָה֙ of Judah H3063
יְהוּדָה֙ of Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 4 of 19
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֶ֣לֶךְ and the king H4428
מֶ֣לֶךְ and the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 6 of 19
a king
בָּבֶ֔ל of Babylon H894
בָּבֶ֔ל of Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 7 of 19
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
ה֣וּא H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 8 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְאִמּ֔וֹ he and his mother H517
וְאִמּ֔וֹ he and his mother
Strong's: H517
Word #: 9 of 19
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
וַֽעֲבָדָ֖יו and his servants H5650
וַֽעֲבָדָ֖יו and his servants
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 10 of 19
a servant
וְשָׂרָ֣יו and his princes H8269
וְשָׂרָ֣יו and his princes
Strong's: H8269
Word #: 11 of 19
a head person (of any rank or class)
וְסָֽרִיסָ֑יו and his officers H5631
וְסָֽרִיסָ֑יו and his officers
Strong's: H5631
Word #: 12 of 19
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
וַיִּקַּ֤ח took H3947
וַיִּקַּ֤ח took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 13 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֹתוֹ֙ H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's: H853
Word #: 14 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֶ֣לֶךְ and the king H4428
מֶ֣לֶךְ and the king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 15 of 19
a king
בָּבֶ֔ל of Babylon H894
בָּבֶ֔ל of Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 16 of 19
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
בִּשְׁנַ֥ת year H8141
בִּשְׁנַ֥ת year
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 17 of 19
a year (as a revolution of time)
שְׁמֹנֶ֖ה him in the eighth H8083
שְׁמֹנֶ֖ה him in the eighth
Strong's: H8083
Word #: 18 of 19
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
לְמָלְכֽוֹ׃ of his reign H4427
לְמָלְכֽוֹ׃ of his reign
Strong's: H4427
Word #: 19 of 19
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

Analysis & Commentary

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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 24: Judgment unfolds progressively. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. As Judah approaches exile, these events fulfill prophetic warnings and demonstrate that God's patience with covenant violation is not infinite.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 24 takes place during the final collapse of Judah and Babylonian exile, early 6th century BCE, 605-586 BCE. The chapter's theme (Beginning of Babylonian Captivity) reflects the historical reality of the final collapse of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and exile to Babylon as covenant curses are fully realized. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

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