II Chronicles 36
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Took Jehoahaz - It seems that after Necho had discomfited Josiah, he proceeded immediately against Charchemish, and in the interim, Josiah dying of his wounds, the people made his son king.
Open source ↗JEHOAHAZ, SUCCEEDING, IS DEPOSED BY PHARAOH. (Ch2 36:1-4) the people of the land took Jehoahaz--Immediately after Josiah's overthrow and death, the people raised to the throne Shallum (Ch1 3:15), afterwards called Jehoahaz, in preference to his older brother Eliakim, from whom they expected little good. Jehoahaz is said (Kg2 23:30) to have received at Jerusalem the royal anointing--a ceremony not usually deemed necessary, in circumstances of regular and undisputed succession. But, in the case of Jehoahaz, it seems to have been resorted to in order to impart greater validity to the act of popular election; and, it may be, to render it less likely to be disturbed by Necho, who, like all Egyptians, would associate the idea of sanctity with the regal anointing. He was the youngest son of Josiah, but the popular favorite, probably on account of his martial spirit (Eze 19:3) and determined opposition to the aggressive views of Egypt. At his accession the land was free from idolatry; but this prince, instead of following the footsteps of his excellent father, adopted the criminal policy of his apostatizing predecessors. Through his influence, directly or indirectly used, idolatry rapidly increased (see Kg2 23:32).
Open source ↗Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah,.... Of whose reign, and of the three following, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, and the account of them, from hence to the end of Ch2 36:13, what needs explanation or reconciliation; see Gill on Kg2 23:31, Kg2 23:32, Kg2 23:33, Kg2 23:34, Kg2 23:35, Kg2 23:36, Kg2 23:37, Kg2 24:5, Kg2 24:6, Kg2 24:8, Kg2 24:10, Kg2 24:17, Kg2 24:18 2 Chronicles 36:14 ch2 36:14 ch2 36:14 ch2 36:14Moreover, the chief of the priests, and of the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the Heathens,.... The priests, and even the chief of them, who should have instructed the people in the duties of religion, and retained them in the pure worship of God, these were the ringleaders of idolatry, who led the people to commit all the idolatries of the Heathens round about them; and of the people, all ranks and degrees of them were corrupted with them; this was their case in several of the preceding reigns, and now a little before the destruction of them: and polluted the house of the Lord, which he had hallowed in Jerusalem; the temple dedicated to his worship there; this they defiled, by setting up idols in it.
Open source ↗The reign of Jehoahaz. Cf. Kg2 23:30-35. - After Josiah's death, the people of the land raised his son Jehoahaz (Joahaz), who was then twenty-three years old, to the throne; but he had been king in Jerusalem only three months when the Egyptian king (Necho) deposed him, imposed upon the land a fine of 100 talents of silver and one talent of gold, made his brother Eliakim king under the name Jehoiakim, and carried Jehoahaz, who had been taken prisoner, away captive to Egypt. For further information as to the capture and carrying away of Jehoahaz, and the appointment of Eliakim to be king, see on Kg2 23:31-35.
Open source ↗The destruction of Judah and Jerusalem is here coming on by degrees. God so ordered it to show that he has no pleasure in the ruin of sinners, but had rather they would turn and live, and therefore gives them both time and inducement to repent and waits to be gracious. The history of these reigns was more largely recorded in the last three chapters of the second of Kings. 1. Jehoahaz was set up by the people (Ch2 36:1), but in one quarter of a year was deposed by Pharaoh-necho, and carried a prisoner to Egypt, and the land fined for setting him up, Ch2 36:2-4. Of this young prince we hear no more. Had he trodden in the steps of his father's piety he might have reigned long and prospered; but we are told in the Kings that he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and therefore his triumphing was short and his joy but for a moment. 2. Jehoiakim was set up by the king of Egypt, an old enemy to their land, gave what king he pleased to the kingdom and what name he pleased to the king! Ch2 36:4. He made Eliakim king, and called him Jehoiakim, in token of his authority over him. Jehoiakim did that which was evil (Ch2 36:5), nay, we read of the abominations which he did (Ch2 36:8); he was very wild and wicked. Idolatries generally go under the name of abominations. We hear no more of the king of Egypt, but the king of Babylon came up against him (Ch2 36:6), seized him, and bound him with a design to carry him to Babylon; but, it seems, he either changed his mind, and suffered him to reign as his vassal, or death released the prisoner before he was carried away. However the best and most valuable vessels of the temple were now carried away and made use of in Nebuchadnezzar's temple in Babylon (Ch2 36:7); for, we may suppose, no temple in the world was so richly furnished as that of…
Open source ↗36:1-4 Jehoahaz, also known as Shallum (see Jer 22:11), was not Josiah’s oldest son (1 Chr 3:15), and the reason he was chosen as king is not explained. Pharaoh Neco immediately intervened and established Jehoahaz’s older brother Eliakim in his place and renamed him Jehoiakim.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) יְהוֹאָחָז (Yᵉhôwʼâchâz, H3059) — Jehoachaz, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יֹאשִׁיָּה (Yôʼshîyâh, H2977) — Joshijah, the name of two Israelites מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗יוֹאָחָז (Yôwʼâchâz, H3099) — Joachaz, the name of two Israelites עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עָנַשׁ (ʻânash, H6064) — properly, to urge; by implication, to inflict apenalty, specifically, to fine אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction כִּכָּר (kikkâr, H3603) — a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אֶלְיָקִים (ʼElyâqîym, H471) — Eljakim, the name of four Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהוֹיָקִים (Yᵉhôwyâqîym, H3079) — Jehojakim, a Jewish king נְכוֹ (Nᵉkôw, H5224) — Neko, an Egyptian king לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) יוֹאָחָז (Yôwʼâchâz, H3099) — Joachaz, the name of two Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗יְהוֹיָקִים (Yᵉhôwyâqîym, H3079) — Jehojakim, a Jewish king עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar, H5019) — Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
Open source ↗נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar, H5019) — Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple
Open source ↗יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהוֹיָקִים (Yᵉhôwyâqîym, H3079) — Jehojakim, a Jewish king תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְהוֹיָכִין (Yᵉhôwyâkîyn, H3078) — Jehojakin, a Jewish king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗יְהוֹיָכִין (Yᵉhôwyâkîyn, H3078) — Jehojakin, a Jewish king שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) תְּשׁוּבָה (tᵉshûwbâh, H8666) — a recurrence (of time or place); a reply (as returned) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar, H5019) — Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בָּבֶל (Bâbel, H894) — Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire חֶמְדָּה (chemdâh, H2532) — delight כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗צִדְקִיָּה (Tsidqîyâh, H6667) — Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗מָרַד (mârad, H4775) — to rebel מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר (Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar, H5019) — Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קָשָׁה (qâshâh, H7185) — properly, to be dense, i.e. tough or severe (in various applications) עֹרֶף (ʻôreph, H6203) — the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal… אָמַץ (ʼâmats, H553) — to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage) לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ); שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מָעַל (mâʻal, H4603) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously מַעַל (maʻal, H4604) — treachery, i.e. sin רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) תּוֹעֵבַה (tôwʻêbah, H8441) — properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e. (as noun) an abhorrence; especially… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ, H2930) — to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗Cross-references
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For this is what the LORD says concerning Shallum son of Josiah, king of Judah, who succeeded his father Josiah but has gone forth from this place: “He will never return,
The sons of Josiah: Johanan was the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second, Zedekiah the third, and Shallum the fourth.
But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place.
All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.