King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 18:2 Mean?

2 Kings 18:2 in the King James Version says “Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.”

2 Kings 18:2 · King James Version

Context

1

Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Hezekiah: he is called Ezekias

2

Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

3

And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.

4

He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. images: Heb. statues Nehushtan: that is, A piece of brass

Read 2 Kings 18 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 18: Faithful reformation faces external pressure. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.

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

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 18 takes place during Hezekiah's reign in Judah, late 8th century BCE, around 715-686 BCE. The chapter's theme (Hezekiah's Reforms and Assyrian Threat) reflects the historical reality of genuine religious reform under Hezekiah, including trust in God that resulted in miraculous deliverance from Assyria. 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 18 regarding faithful reformation faces external pressure?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
בֶּן1 of 16

“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

וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים2 of 16

“Twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְחָמֵ֤שׁ3 of 16

“and five”

H2568

five

שָׁנָ֔ה4 of 16

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָיָ֣ה5 of 16
H1961

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

מָלַ֖ךְ6 of 16

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים7 of 16

“Twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וָתֵ֙שַׁע֙8 of 16

“and nine”

H8672

nine or (ordinal) ninth

שָׁנָ֔ה9 of 16

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֖ךְ10 of 16

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם11 of 16

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְשֵׁ֣ם12 of 16

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִמּ֔וֹ13 of 16

“His mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

אֲבִ֖י14 of 16

“also was Abi”

H21

abi, hezekiah's mother

בַּת15 of 16

“the daughter”

H1323

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

זְכַרְיָֽה׃16 of 16

“of Zachariah”

H2148

zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

2 Kings 18:2 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 Kings 18:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 29:1-2

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Kings 18 →

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