King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 24:18 Mean?

2 Kings 24:18 in the King James Version says “Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.”

2 Kings 24:18 · KJV

Context

16

And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

17

And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

18

Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

19

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.

20

For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

Read 2 Kings 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 24: Judgment unfolds progressively. As Judah approaches exile, these events fulfill prophetic warnings and demonstrate that God's patience with covenant violation is not infinite.

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 24 takes place during the final collapse of Judah and Babylonian exile, early 6th century BCE, 605-586 BCE. The chapter's theme (Beginning of Babylonian Captivity) reflects the historical reality of the final collapse of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and exile to Babylon as covenant curses are fully realized. 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 24 regarding judgment unfolds progressively?
  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

וְאַחַ֤ת3 of 17

“and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

שָׁנָ֔ה4 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ5 of 17

“Zedekiah”

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

מָלַ֖ךְ6 of 17

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וְאַחַ֤ת7 of 17

“and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

עֶשְׂרֵה֙8 of 17
H6240

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

שָׁנָ֔ה9 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מָלַ֖ךְ10 of 17

“and he reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם11 of 17

“in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְשֵׁ֣ם12 of 17

“name”

H8034

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

אִמּ֔וֹ13 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])

חֲמיּטַ֥ל14 of 17

“was Hamutal”

H2537

chamutal or chamital, an israelitess

בַּֽת15 of 17

“the daughter”

H1323

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

יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ16 of 17

“of Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

מִלִּבְנָֽה׃17 of 17

“of Libnah”

H3841

libnah, a place in the desert and one 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 24:18 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 24:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 23:31Jeremiah 52:1-112 Chronicles 36:11Jeremiah 37:1

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
Libnah 1Settlement · Modern: Tell Bornat · 31.63°N, 34.87°E16 verses across 6 books
View all places in 2 Kings 24 →

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