Jehoram’s family connections underscore the complexities of royal succession in ancient Judah.
In this passage, we learn that Jehoram (the primary subject of 2 Chronicles 21) had siblings, as indicated when the text states: “And he had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel” (v.2). Their father, Jehoshaphat, reigned over the southern kingdom called Judah from about 870 to 848 BC. Although the verse refers to him as “king of Israel,” the chronicler is describing him in his official capacity as part of the Davidic line, which still encompassed the covenantal heritage of Israel’s chosen kings. This reference acknowledges that, in the eyes of the chronicler, Jehoshaphat held a divinely sanctioned role over God’s people, even though he technically ruled the kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital.
The mention of these brothers highlights the royal family’s lineage and the continuity of David’s dynasty, which ultimately points forward to God’s redemptive plan achieved through Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17). Each of the sons—Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael, and Shephatiah—connects to an extended national heritage that has its roots in God’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). By listing them, the narrative sets the stage for the conflicts and alliances that would unfold, reminding the reader that competition and disunity among siblings often shaped the history of the Davidic monarchy.
Jehoshaphat’s place in the historical timeline (870-848 BC) follows the reign of his father, Asa, and precedes the troubled rule of his son, Jehoram (about 848-841 BC). This verse underscores the familial context that Jehoram inherited, including potential heirs to the throne and possible rivals. Learning about his brothers provides insights into the power dynamics in the kingdom after Jehoshaphat’s death, as Jehoram’s decisions and actions impacted not only his immediate family but the entire nation’s spiritual condition.
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2 Chronicles 21:2 meaning
In this passage, we learn that Jehoram (the primary subject of 2 Chronicles 21) had siblings, as indicated when the text states: “And he had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel” (v.2). Their father, Jehoshaphat, reigned over the southern kingdom called Judah from about 870 to 848 BC. Although the verse refers to him as “king of Israel,” the chronicler is describing him in his official capacity as part of the Davidic line, which still encompassed the covenantal heritage of Israel’s chosen kings. This reference acknowledges that, in the eyes of the chronicler, Jehoshaphat held a divinely sanctioned role over God’s people, even though he technically ruled the kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital.
The mention of these brothers highlights the royal family’s lineage and the continuity of David’s dynasty, which ultimately points forward to God’s redemptive plan achieved through Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17). Each of the sons—Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael, and Shephatiah—connects to an extended national heritage that has its roots in God’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). By listing them, the narrative sets the stage for the conflicts and alliances that would unfold, reminding the reader that competition and disunity among siblings often shaped the history of the Davidic monarchy.
Jehoshaphat’s place in the historical timeline (870-848 BC) follows the reign of his father, Asa, and precedes the troubled rule of his son, Jehoram (about 848-841 BC). This verse underscores the familial context that Jehoram inherited, including potential heirs to the throne and possible rivals. Learning about his brothers provides insights into the power dynamics in the kingdom after Jehoshaphat’s death, as Jehoram’s decisions and actions impacted not only his immediate family but the entire nation’s spiritual condition.