King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 33:21 Mean?

2 Chronicles 33:21 in the King James Version says “Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 33 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.”

2 Chronicles 33:21 · KJV

Context

19

His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers . the seers: or, Hosai

20

So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

21

Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.

22

But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;

23

And humbled not himself before the LORD, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon trespassed more and more. trespassed more and more: Heb. multiplied trespass

Read 2 Chronicles 33 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amon was two and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned two years in Jerusalem.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's mercy even to the worst sinner who truly repents. 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 · 10 words
בֶּן1 of 10

“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 10

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וּשְׁתַּ֣יִם3 of 10

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שָׁנִ֔ים4 of 10

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אָמ֣וֹן5 of 10

“Amon”

H526

amon, the name of three israelites

מָלַ֖ךְ6 of 10

“and reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וּשְׁתַּ֣יִם7 of 10

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שָׁנִ֔ים8 of 10

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֖ךְ9 of 10

“and reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃10 of 10

“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 33:21 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 33:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 33:12 Kings 21:19-24James 4:13-15Luke 12:19-20

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 33 →

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