2 Kings 24:8

Authorized King James Version

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Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

Original Language Analysis

בֶּן old H1121
בֶּן old
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 1 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שְׁמֹנֶ֨ה was eighteen H8083
שְׁמֹנֶ֨ה was eighteen
Strong's: H8083
Word #: 2 of 16
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה H6240
עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה
Strong's: H6240
Word #: 3 of 16
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
שָׁנָה֙ years H8141
שָׁנָה֙ years
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 4 of 16
a year (as a revolution of time)
יְהֽוֹיָכִ֣ין Jehoiachin H3078
יְהֽוֹיָכִ֣ין Jehoiachin
Strong's: H3078
Word #: 5 of 16
jehojakin, a jewish king
מָלַ֖ךְ and he reigned H4427
מָלַ֖ךְ and he reigned
Strong's: H4427
Word #: 6 of 16
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה three H7969
וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה three
Strong's: H7969
Word #: 7 of 16
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
חֳדָשִׁ֔ים months H2320
חֳדָשִׁ֔ים months
Strong's: H2320
Word #: 8 of 16
the new moon; by implication, a month
מָלַ֖ךְ and he reigned H4427
מָלַ֖ךְ and he reigned
Strong's: H4427
Word #: 9 of 16
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
מִירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ in Jerusalem H3389
מִירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ in Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 10 of 16
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְשֵׁ֣ם name H8034
וְשֵׁ֣ם name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 11 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אִמּ֔וֹ And his mother's H517
אִמּ֔וֹ And his mother's
Strong's: H517
Word #: 12 of 16
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
נְחֻשְׁתָּ֥א was Nehushta H5179
נְחֻשְׁתָּ֥א was Nehushta
Strong's: H5179
Word #: 13 of 16
nechushta, an israelitess
בַת the daughter H1323
בַת the daughter
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 14 of 16
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
אֶלְנָתָ֖ן of Elnathan H494
אֶלְנָתָ֖ן of Elnathan
Strong's: H494
Word #: 15 of 16
elnathan, the name of four israelites
מִירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ in Jerusalem H3389
מִירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ in Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 16 of 16
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Analysis & Commentary

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 24: Judgment unfolds progressively. 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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