King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 27:8 Mean?

2 Chronicles 27:8 in the King James Version says “He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.”

2 Chronicles 27:8 · KJV

Context

6

So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God. prepared: or, established

7

Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

8

He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.

9

And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Steady obedience bringing consistent blessing. 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 · 11 words
בֶּן1 of 11

“old”

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

עֶשְׂרִ֧ים2 of 11

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְחָמֵ֛שׁ3 of 11

“He was five”

H2568

five

שָׁנָ֔ה4 of 11

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָיָ֣ה5 of 11
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מָלַ֖ךְ6 of 11

“and reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וְשֵׁשׁ7 of 11

“sixteen”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה8 of 11
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֔ה9 of 11

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֖ךְ10 of 11

“and reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃11 of 11

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

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 27:8 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 27:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 27:1

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 27 →

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