Definition: Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his motherâs name [was] Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 23:36 together. It’s a little bit about King Jehoiakim’s early reign and his background. Here's what it means in plain language: Basically, this verse tells us that Jehoiakim was very young when he became king of Judah. Here’s a more detailed explanation: “2 Kings 23:36” : This is the name of the passage itself – a specific section from the Old Testament Book of Kings. “Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old” : He was just starting his reign, and he was still young by human standards. Twenty-five years is a significant age! “…when he began to reign…” : This means he started ruling as king, after the death of his father, King Josiah. “and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem” : He spent eleven years of his reign in the city of Jerusalem – which was the capital of Judah at that time. “And his mother’s name [was] Zebudah…” : His mother's name was Zebudah. This is a very important detail – it suggests a strong family connection and perhaps a lineage that played a role in his life. Context & Significance: This verse is part of the story of Judah after the fall of King Josiah. It highlights that Jehoiakim, despite being young, took on leadership responsibilities and ruled for a period of time. It’s important because it shows he was part of a lineage with a history – and it sets up some potential challenges or complexities in the following chapters. In short: The verse describes his early years as king, focusing on his age at the beginning of his rule and the family background associated with him. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse further? For example, would you like me to: Explain what "Jerusalem" meant during this period? Discuss why this is a significant moment in history?