King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 21:19 Mean?

2 Kings 21:19 in the King James Version says “Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name w...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.”

2 Kings 21:19 · KJV

Context

17

Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

18

And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

19

Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

20

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did.

21

And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:

Read 2 Kings 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Meshullemeth, the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 21: Unprecedented wickedness brings irreversible judgment. 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.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 21 takes place during the final century of Judah's existence, 7th century BCE, including Manasseh and Josiah's reigns. The chapter's theme (Manasseh and Amon's Evil Reigns) reflects the historical reality of the worst apostasy under Manasseh followed by the most thorough reforms under Josiah, demonstrating that external righteousness cannot reverse God's determined judgment. 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 21 regarding unprecedented wickedness brings irreversible judgment?
  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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
בֶּן1 of 17

“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

עֶשְׂרִ֨ים2 of 17

“was twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וּשְׁתַּ֣יִם3 of 17

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שָׁנִ֔ים4 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אָמ֣וֹן5 of 17

“Amon”

H526

amon, the name of three israelites

מָלַ֖ךְ6 of 17

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וּשְׁתַּ֣יִם7 of 17

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

שָׁנִ֔ים8 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֖ךְ9 of 17

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם10 of 17

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְשֵׁ֣ם11 of 17

“name”

H8034

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

אִמּ֔וֹ12 of 17

“And his mother's”

H517

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

מְשֻׁלֶּ֥מֶת13 of 17

“was Meshullemeth”

H4922

meshullemeth, an israelitess

בַּת14 of 17

“the daughter”

H1323

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

חָר֖וּץ15 of 17

“of Haruz”

H2743

charuts, an israelite

מִן16 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

יָטְבָֽה׃17 of 17

“of Jotbah”

H3192

jotbah, a place in palestine

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 21:19 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 21:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 33:21-231 Kings 22:511 Kings 15:25Matthew 1:101 Chronicles 3:142 Kings 15:23

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
JotbahSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Shifat · 32.83°N, 35.28°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in 2 Kings 21 →

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