2 Chronicles 36:8 Meaning: Hidden Sin Revealed
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah; and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
And the rest of the matters of Jehoiakim, and his abominations that he hath done, and that which is found against him, lo, they are written on the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, and reign doth Jehoiachin his son in his stead.
And the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. And Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
Meaning in one sentence
What does 'that which was found in him' mean in II Chronicles 36:8?
Context
Second Chronicles was written after the exile, to help God's people understand why Jerusalem fell and to offer hope for restoration. By the time we reach chapter 36, the story is racing toward disaster. Jehoiakim was placed on Judah's throne by Egypt, then became a vassal of Babylon. He did evil in God's sight, reversing his father Josiah's reforms and bringing back idolatry. The Chronicler gives only a brief summary of his reign, then this verse closes it. Two things stand out: the abominations he did, and something found in him. The Chronicler does not list specifics because the point is the pattern, hidden sin that finally breaks into the open. Then, almost as a quiet fact, Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place. The story moves on, but the weight of what was found lingers.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for abominations here is to'evah, things that disgust God. It is used in the Old Testament for idolatry, false worship, and the corrupt practices that went with it. Jehoiakim restored the altars and images his father had torn down. That is what the word is pointing to: not vague badness but concrete, offensive acts against the God who had chosen Judah.
The phrase that which was found in him comes from the verb matsa, to find or discover. But the preposition al means more literally found against him. Wesley and the Cambridge Bible both note this means his hidden sin, the rebellion he kept in his heart until it came to light. The Chronicler is not saying anything good was found. He is saying the hidden guilt was finally exposed.
And the word written (katav) assures us this is no secret. God's record stands. The book of the kings of Israel and Judah was a real historical document, but the deeper truth is that God keeps a book too. Nothing escapes His notice.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen in this verse a sobering picture of divine justice. Protestant commentators like Matthew Henry note that Jehoiakim's abominations were the idolatries and persecutions that brought judgment. The Reformed emphasis often falls on God's sovereignty in recording and exposing sin. Catholic readers may hear an echo of the call to confession, sin that is not repented of remains on the record. Orthodox tradition holds that hidden sins corrupt not only the person but the community, and that God's judgment is a form of mercy, clearing the way for renewal. All see that even in judgment, God's purposes continue: a son reigns, and the line toward David's greater Son is not cut off.
A common misunderstanding
Some read that which was found in him and think it means something good, a redeeming quality that God noticed. In fact, the phrase means exactly the opposite. As the Cambridge Bible explains, it refers to his sin: the rebellion and idolatry that were discovered against him. Wesley adds that it was the crime of rebellion he kept hidden. This is not about a hidden virtue. It is about hidden guilt that finally came to the surface.
Living This Out
This week, you might be tempted to think a hidden sin does not matter. No one knows about it. It is in your heart, your private thoughts, your secret choices. But the Chronicler reminds you that God knows. He sees what is found in you. The invitation is not to live in fear but to bring it into the light now, while there is still time for repentance. You can confess what you have tried to bury. And if you have failed publicly, take heart: Jehoiachin reigned after his father. God's story does not end with your failure. He works through a flawed line to bring His plans forward.
Main takeaway: God sees the sins we hide, records them, and still advances His purposes through flawed people.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
King Jehoiakim did bad things that God saw. Then his son became king. God sees everything we do, even the things we think are hidden.
For ages 9, 12
Jehoiakim had secret sins, idol worship and rebellion, that he thought no one knew about. But God saw them, and the Bible says they were written down. This teaches us that we cannot hide anything from God. The good news is that even when people fail, God keeps working. He gave Jehoiakim a son who became the next king, and eventually Jesus came from that family line.
Questions People Ask
What abominations did Jehoiakim commit?
The verse does not list them, but other passages and commentators fill in the picture. Barnes notes that Jehoiakim restored all the idolatries his father Josiah had swept away, worship of Baal, child sacrifice, and the like. Jeremiah 7 and 19 give the prophets' accusations against him. The word 'abominations' is used for practices that were ritually and morally disgusting in God's sight.
What does 'that which was found in him' mean?
It means his hidden sin was discovered. The Hebrew verb 'matsa' with the preposition 'al' often indicates something found against a person, evidence of guilt. Wesley explains it as the crime of rebellion against Babylon that Jehoiakim kept in his heart until it came to light. The Chronicler is not saying something good was found; he is saying the hidden evil was exposed.
Why does the Chronicler mention Jehoiachin's reign right after this?
The formula 'and his son reigned in his place' is standard in Kings and Chronicles for a king's death and succession. Even in judgment, God's covenant with David continues. Jehoiachin was also evil, but the line continues. Matthew Henry points out that God preserves a remnant and upholds His promise despite the sins of the kings.
How does this verse relate to the exile?
Jehoiakim's actions contributed to the judgment that led to the Babylonian exile. The Chronicler is building a case: sin accumulates, God warns through prophets, and finally judgment comes. This verse shows the hidden sins that were part of that accumulation. Jehoiakim was bound by Nebuchadnezzar (v6), but the real bondage was to sin.
Is Jehoiakim mentioned in the New Testament?
Yes, in Matthew 1:11, 'Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.' Jechoniah is Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah), so Jehoiakim is implied as the link between Josiah and Jehoiachin. The genealogy shows that God kept His promise to David through this flawed line.
For pastors & researchers
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