King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:3 in the King James Version says “And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.”

2 Chronicles 24:3 · KJV

Context

1

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beersheba.

2

And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

3

And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.

4

And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD. to repair: Heb. to renew

5

And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.

Read 2 Chronicles 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness deteriorating after mentor's death. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וַיִּשָּׂא1 of 8

“took”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

ל֥וֹ2 of 8
H0
יְהֽוֹיָדָ֖ע3 of 8

“And Jehoiada”

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

נָשִׁ֣ים4 of 8

“wives”

H802

a woman

שְׁתָּ֑יִם5 of 8

“for him two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

וַיּ֖וֹלֶד6 of 8

“and he begat”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

בָּנִ֥ים7 of 8

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבָנֽוֹת׃8 of 8

“and daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 24:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 24:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 21:21Genesis 4:192 Chronicles 24:15Matthew 19:4-8Genesis 24:4

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