Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 36:9
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler records the brief reign of Jehoiachin immediately after summarizing his father Jehoiakim’s record of abominations. This account marks the historical pivot point just before Nebuchadnezzar’s spring campaign removes the royal line to Babylon.
The words — The Hebrew terms שְׁמוֹנֶה (she.mo.Neh) and שָׁנִים (sha.Nim) literally render "eight years," while חֳדָשִׁים (cho.da.Shim) specifies the "months" of his tenure. These lexical items anchor the narrative’s precise chronology of his accession and brief rule.
The thread — This reign length and age parallel the exact parallel account in 2 Kings 24:8, which confirms the eighteen-year age and three-month duration. The chronicler’s timeline directly precedes the fulfillment of the exile narrative in 2 Chronicles 36:10.
Why it lands — The text states Jehoiachin’s age, reign length, and evil deeds before any theological commentary. Readers must confront the factual brevity of a king’s tenure alongside the unvarnished record of his moral failure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem.