II Kings 23:36-37 · Bible study
2 Kings 23:36-37 Commentary: The Weight of a Royal Mother
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does the writer name Jehoiakim’s mother? Explore the regnal formula, the king’s evil, and the narrative’s quiet witness.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jehoiakim’s reign is summed up as a continuation of Judah’s evil pattern, confirmed by Jeremiah’s prophecies.
- Key words: “evil” (ra‘), “eyes of Yahweh,” “fathers”, theological language of covenant breach.
- Main debate: Whether the mother’s name serves only a formulaic function or carries additional narrative significance.
- Theological theme: Human responsibility under divine judgment; the shadow of legacy.
- Best use: A clear reminder that godly parentage does not guarantee faithfulness, and that God holds leaders accountable.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
36Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah.
37And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.
WEB World English Bible 2000
36Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
37He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done.
KJV King James Version 1769
36Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
37And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
36Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
37And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that his fathers had done.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
36A son of twenty and five years is Jehoiakim in his reigning, and eleven years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother is Zebudah daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah,
37and he doth the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his fathers did.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
36Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Zebuddah, daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
37And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah, according to all that his fathers had done.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
36Joakim was five and twenty years old when he began to reign: and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: the name of his mother was Zebida, the daughter of Phadaia, of Ruma.
37And he did evil before the Lord according to all that his fathers had done.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Kings 23:36
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this passage sums up Jehoiakim’s reign as a continuation of Judah’s downward spiral. Gill specifies that the “fathers” are Amon and Manasseh, two of the most wicked kings of Judah. Keil and Delitzsch add that Jehoiakim reigned “in the spirit of his ungodly forefathers,” a judgment echoed by Jeremiah (Jer 22:13, 17) who denounces the king’s greed and violence. Adam Clarke calls him “a most unprincipled and oppressive tyrant.” The inclusion of his mother’s name and her hometown, Rumah, is part of the standard regnal formula for Judahite kings. Little is known of Rumah; the Cambridge Bible suggests it may be identified with Dumah near Hebron, or perhaps Aruma near Shechem. The formula “according to all that his fathers had done” ties Jehoiakim not to his righteous father Josiah but to the idolatrous and violent kings like Manasseh. The consensus: this king chose the path already trodden by the worst of his ancestors. Yet the very recording of this evil serves as a warning, and the presence of prophets like Jeremiah shows that God had not abandoned His people.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jehoiakim was an evil king who reigned eleven years in Jerusalem and followed the pattern of unfaithfulness set by his predecessors.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'his fathers' | Refers primarily to Manasseh and Amon, the most recent evil kings. | Some include earlier kings like Ahaz; others restrict it to his immediate predecessors. |
| Significance of the mother's name | The inclusion follows the standard regnal formula for Judahite kings. | Whether the naming of Zebidah and Rumah carries a theological or literary point beyond formula (e.g., linking him to a specific region or highlighting the maternal line). |
| Character of the evil | Jehoiakim was a wicked and oppressive king. | The degree of his violence against prophets and the people; some see him as exceptionally tyrannical, others as typical of the final kings. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Jehoiakim came to power not through right of succession but by the sword of Pharaoh Necho. After Josiah died at Megiddo, the people made Jehoahaz king, but Necho quickly deposed him and installed Eliakim, renaming him Jehoiakim (2 Ki 23:34). The change of name signified vassalage. Jehoiakim’s eleven-year reign (roughly 609, 598 BC) was a time of heavy tribute to Egypt and, later, submission to Babylon. The land was squeezed by foreign demands; verse 35 records that Jehoiakim taxed the people ruthlessly to pay Pharaoh.
The regnal formula that includes his mother’s name and hometown is characteristic of the book of Kings for Judean rulers. It places the king within a family network. Zebidah (also spelled Zebudah) was from Rumah, a town not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. Some scholars identify Rumah with Aruma near Shechem (Judges 9:41), while others read it as Dumah in Judah (Joshua 15:52). The uncertainty reflects how little we know of the king’s maternal background. Still, the formula itself matters: it reminds the reader that Jehoiakim had roots in the land, a tangible identity that he nevertheless squandered.
What the passage makes plain is the moral verdict: “He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done.” The fathers, most directly Manasseh and Amon, had filled Jerusalem with idolatry and innocent blood (2 Ki 24:3-4). Jehoiakim walked the same road. The prophet Jeremiah stood in the temple courts during his reign, calling the nation to repent (Jer 26:1-6). The king responded with fury, pursuing Jeremiah’s life (Jer 26:20-23). So this short notice is not just an annal; it is a moral indictment with the full weight of the prophetic tradition behind it. Yet even this dark notice stands within God’s larger purposes, a warning that still speaks to those who will listen.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note a spelling variation in the mother's name: Kethib has Zebudah, Qere reads Zebidah. The location Rumah is also textually uncertain; some manuscripts read Dumah (Joshua 15:52), possibly due to scribal confusion of similar Hebrew letters. Neither variation changes the passage's core message.
Reception History
Matthew Henry observed that “Jerusalem saw not a good day after Josiah was laid in his grave, but one trouble came after another.” Josephus described Jehoiakim as “unjust in disposition, an evildoer, neither pious toward God nor fair toward men.” Later Christian homiletics often used the passage to warn against squandering a spiritual heritage. The inclusion of the mother’s name has also been noted by readers interested in the role of women in the royal narratives, even when they remain in the background.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- Identity in Place and Time. The mother’s name and hometown anchor Jehoiakim in a specific family and region. The formula reminds us that every leader has a history and a community that shaped them.
- The Path of Evil. Rather than follow his father Josiah’s faithfulness, Jehoiakim chose the way of Manasseh and Amon. The phrase “according to all that his fathers had done” carries the weight of deliberate rebellion.
- Coming Judgment. This brief regnal notice opens the door for the story of judgment that follows: Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion and the exile. The evil seed ripens into a bitter harvest.
Five-Point Outline
- The King’s Beginning. Jehoiakim’s age, reign length, and mother’s origin ground his rule in history.
- The King’s Heritage. His mother from Rumah; his father Josiah was a reformer. Yet he rejects the good.
- The King’s Choice. He does evil, following the pattern of his grandfathers Manasseh and Amon.
- The King’s Oppression. As the surrounding context shows (2 Ki 23:35), he bled the people dry to pay Egypt’s tribute.
- The King’s End. The narrative prepares us for the Babylonians and the end of the kingdom.
Illustration Hooks
- Family Business. A young executive inherits a company his father built with integrity. Under pressure, he cuts corners, exploits workers, and loses everything. Jehoiakim had a great father but chose a different legacy.
- Company Town. A factory owner forces employees to pay for his new home through mandatory deductions. This is the kind of “taxation” Jehoiakim imposed to satisfy Pharaoh.
- The Unsung Prophet. Jeremiah standing in the temple, ignored and threatened, while the king plots violence. Many speak truth in vain.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Why does the Bible include such a boring detail as the mother’s name and hometown? What does it mean for us?
- How could a king with a godly father (Josiah) turn out so badly? Does that mean good parenting can fail?
- Is this passage saying that evil can be inherited, or is it about personal choice?
Leading a Discussion
This short passage appears at first glance like an official record: age, reign length, mother, verdict. But every detail in Scripture is given for a reason. As you begin your discussion, notice how the writer frames Jehoiakim’s life: he did not follow his father Josiah’s good example, but instead repeated the sins of earlier evil kings. The inclusion of his mother’s name may simply be the standard formula, or it may highlight the influence of his family background. Consider also the historical moment: Judah is caught between Egypt and Babylon, and its king is making choices that will lead to national disaster.
Discussion Questions
- Observation: What facts about Jehoiakim’s reign are listed in these two verses? (Age, length of rule, mother’s name and hometown, the verdict “he did evil”.)
- Observation: How does the phrase “according to all that his fathers had done” connect Jehoiakim to previous kings? Compare with 2 Kings 23:32 about Jehoahaz.
- Interpretation: Why do you think the writer mentions the mother’s name and her hometown? What purpose does it serve in the narrative?
- Interpretation: The text says Jehoiakim “did evil in the sight of the LORD.” Based on the context (2 Ki 23:35-37; Jeremiah 22:13-19), what specific “evil” did he commit?
- Interpretation: How do you understand the phrase “his fathers”? Does it include Josiah? Or only Manasseh and Amon? What difference does it make?
- Application: This passage shows the influence of legacy. In what ways does our family or cultural background shape the choices we make? How can we choose a different path if we inherit a bad example?
- Application: Jehoiakim had a clear assessment of his life: “evil in Yahweh’s sight.” If your biography were summed up in one phrase, what would you want it to say? How can you move toward that today?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Chronicles 3:15 | The sons of Josiah: the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, and the fourth Shallum. |
| II Chronicles 36:5 | Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in Yahweh his God’s sight. |
| Jeremiah 1:3 | It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. |
| Jeremiah 26:1 | In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came from Yahweh: |
| II Kings 23:32 | He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done. |
| II Chronicles 28:22 | In the time of his distress, he trespassed yet more against Yahweh, this same King Ahaz. |
| II Chronicles 28:25 | In every city of Judah he made high places to burn incense to other gods, and provoked Yahweh, the God of his fathers, to anger. |
| II Chronicles 33:4 | He built altars in Yahweh’s house, of which Yahweh said, “My name shall be in Jerusalem forever.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke stresses that Jeremiah, as a contemporary eyewitness, personally saw the abominations of this cruel king. The prophet's lengthy description in Jeremiah 22 gives the full character of a ruler who was an unprincipled and oppressive tyrant, not merely a sinful king.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes notes that Jehoiakim was two years older than his half-brother Jehoahaz, drawing attention to this age difference as a factual detail. He then directs readers to several other passages that reveal Jehoiakim's character.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator highlights a textual and geographical question about the mother of a king. The name Zebudah appears in the Hebrew text with spelling variations, and her hometown Rumah may be a scribal error for Dumah, a site in Judah. The Greek Septuagint translation supports the reading Rumah.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes point out that Jehoiakim's evil was not a new departure but a return to the pattern set by his predecessors. For these commentators, the phrase "according to all that his fathers had done" shows that despite Josiah's reform, the nation quickly slipped back into the same persistent rebellion that marked the earlier kings.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes the exact ages of Jehoiakim’s reign, pointing out he was two years older than his brother Jehoahaz and died at thirty-six. He also identifies Jehoiakim’s mother as Zebudah, daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah, and mentions Josephus’s variant name for her.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch paints Jehoiakim as a ruler consumed by greed and brutality, enriching himself through unjust oppression of his people. They note that Jeremiah describes him as a prince whose heart and eyes were fixed solely on dishonest gain, shedding innocent blood, and committing violence and oppression.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Josiah's sons inherited both the consequences of his rash battle and the missed benefit of his piety. Because they turned from their father's good example, they suffered the worst of both worlds: the trouble his rashness brought upon Judah, and none of the protection his obedience would have earned them.