Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 24:18. It tells us about a king named Zedekiah and his reign. Here's a simple explanation: Basically, this verse describes a very difficult and troubling period in Zedekiah’s life. “Zedekiah [was] twenty and one years old when he began to reign…” This means he started as king at age 20 and a little over. “…and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.” He ruled for eleven years in the city of Jerusalem . That’s a significant amount of time! “And his mother’s name [was] Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.” This tells us that Zedekiah's mother was named Hamutal, and she was from Libnah. This adds a bit more detail about her background – she was a woman from Libnah, which is a region in Israel. What does this suggest? The verse paints a picture of a king who was very young when he took over and had a very short reign. It’s a stark contrast to the expectation of a long and prosperous leadership. It raises questions about his decisions, perhaps his lack of wisdom, or maybe something else that led to this situation. Important Note: This verse is part of a larger story in the Bible – it's connected to events surrounding the fall of Israel. It’s often interpreted as foreshadowing a period of great trouble and potentially divine judgment. --- Do you want me to explain any specific aspect of this verse further? For example, we could talk about: The context of the story it's part of. What might have caused Zedekiah’s short reign. The significance of his mother's name and location.