Jotham's Reign: Fortifications and Prosperity
2 Chronicles 27:1-9
2 C.27.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- וחמש: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יותם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ושש: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ירושה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- צדוק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 15:32-38 (quotation): Direct parallel: same data about Jotham — began to reign at 25, reigned 16 years in Jerusalem, mother named Jerushah daughter of Zadok (verbatim overlap).
- 2 Chronicles 26:21-23 (structural): Immediate background: records Uzziah’s death and states that Jotham his son reigned in his place, providing the succession context for 2 Chr 27:1.
- 2 Chronicles 27:2 (thematic): Continuation of the same chronicler’s account of Jotham’s reign (his righteous conduct and building activity), expanding on the brief summary in verse 1.
- Ezekiel 44:15 (allusion): Connects to the mention of ‘Zadok’ in Jotham’s maternal line by identifying the Zadokite priestly family; underscores the priestly pedigree implied by naming Jerushah daughter of Zadok.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king; he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok.
- Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and the name of his mother was Jerushah daughter of Zadok.
2 C.27.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הישר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ככל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עזיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- רק: PRT
- לא: PART_NEG
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- היכל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועוד: CONJ
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- משחיתים: VERB,qal,ptc,,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Kings 15:34 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: Jotham 'did what was right in the sight of the LORD, as did his father Uzziah'; both accounts record the same judgment but Chronicles adds detail about the temple and the people's corruption.
- 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 (structural): Narrative of Uzziah's unlawful entry into the temple and consequent leprosy—explains the background for 'only he did not enter the house of the LORD' (contrast between father’s sin and son’s restraint).
- 2 Chronicles 27:3-6 (structural): Immediate chapter parallels that describe Jotham’s military successes and building projects, showing how his 'doing right' was accompanied by political/military strength and public works.
- 2 Kings 15:35 (thematic): The Kings account observes that Jotham’s reign left some religious practices (high places) intact—parallels Chronicles’ note that 'the people were still corrupt', highlighting incomplete religious reform.
Alternative generated candidates
- He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, doing as his father Uzziah had done; only he did not enter the house of the LORD. Yet the people were still corrupt.
- He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done, only he did not enter the house of the LORD; and the people were still corrupt.
2 C.27.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- העליון: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ובחומת: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- העפל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 15:35 (quotation): Parallel sentence in the Deuteronomistic account: Jotham 'built the upper gate of the house of the LORD and extensively built the wall of the Ophel' (direct equivalent wording).
- Nehemiah 3:26 (verbal): Mentions the wall of the Ophel and associated repairs around Jerusalem's fortifications—same locale (Ophel) and concern for city/temple defenses.
- 2 Chronicles 26:9-10 (thematic): Uzziah's building activity at the temple and in Jerusalem (towers, works, arms manufacturing) parallels Jotham's royal construction and enhancement of sacred/urban structures.
- 2 Chronicles 32:5 (structural): Hezekiah's program of repairing and strengthening Jerusalem's walls and fortifications echoes the chronicler's theme of kings strengthening the city and temple precincts (similar function to Jotham's work).
Alternative generated candidates
- He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD, and he built much on the wall of the Ophel.
- He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD, and he built much on the wall of the Ophel.
2 C.27.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וערים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ובחרשים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- בירניות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ומגדלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 26:9 (verbal): Uzziah (Jotham’s father) is said to have built towers in Jerusalem and in the wilderness—close verbal and thematic parallel in royal construction of towers/fortifications.
- 1 Kings 9:15-19 (thematic): Solomon’s program of building and fortifying cities (Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer, and store-cities) parallels the royal practice of establishing fortified towns and towers in the land.
- 2 Chronicles 14:6 (thematic): Asa built and fortified cities in Judah; another example of a Judean king strengthening hill-country towns, echoing Jotham’s building activity.
- 2 Chronicles 8:2 (verbal): Solomon is described as building and furnishing cities (including fortifications and store-cities); similar language about constructing urban and defensive works.
- 2 Chronicles 32:5 (thematic): Hezekiah’s measures to fortify and strengthen the city and its defenses (repairing walls, preparing for siege) provide a later parallel to the kings’ practice of building towers and fortifications.
Alternative generated candidates
- He built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built fortresses and towers.
- He built cities in the hill country of Judah; in the forests he built fortresses, towers, and fortified cities.
2 C.27.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- נלחם: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויחזק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- מאה: NUM,f,sg,abs
- ככר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועשרת: CONJ+NUM,card,m,pl,const
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושעורים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- השיבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובשנה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- השנית: ADJ,ord,f,sg,def
- והשלשית: CONJ+ADJ,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 15:32-38 (structural): Kings gives the parallel summary of Jotham's reign (son of Uzziah); the Chronicles account here corresponds to the same historical notice of his rule and military activity against Ammon.
- 2 Samuel 8:2 (thematic): David's victories over neighboring states led to their subjection and the payment of tribute—same theme of military victory producing regular payments from a defeated neighbor.
- 1 Chronicles 18:2 (verbal): Chronicles' parallel to the Samuel account of David's campaigns: defeated peoples became servants and brought tribute—verbal and thematic similarity in motif of conquest followed by tribute.
- 2 Chronicles 20:25-26 (thematic): Jehoshaphat's victory over Moab and Ammon results in sustained spoil/tribute brought to Judah over several days—parallels the motif of successive payments from a defeated Ammon/neighbor across multiple years.
Alternative generated candidates
- He fought against the king of the Ammonites and prevailed over them; and the Ammonites gave him, in that year, a hundred talents of silver and ten thousand measures of wheat and ten thousand measures of barley. The Ammonites brought this to him in the second and third years as well.
- He fought with the king of the Ammonites and prevailed against them, and the Ammonites rendered to him that year a hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat and ten thousand measures of barley; and the Ammonites paid him likewise in the second and third years.
2 C.27.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתחזק: VERB,hitp,impf,3,m,sg
- יותם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- הכין: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דרכיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3ms
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 15:35 (verbal): Parallel royal account of Jotham with essentially the same assessment: he became mighty because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God (close verbal correspondence).
- 2 Chronicles 26:5 (thematic): Earlier royal example (Uzziah): seeking/obeying the LORD leads to prosperity—connects the idea that ordering one’s ways before God results in strength and success.
- Proverbs 3:6 (thematic): “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” — a wisdom parallel linking right relationship with God to God’s directing/establishing of one’s way.
- Proverbs 16:3 (thematic): “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established” — echoes the notion that entrusting/ordering one’s ways before God brings establishment and success.
- Psalm 37:23 (thematic): “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way” — similar conviction that God establishes or strengthens the steps of those who align their ways with him.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jotham grew powerful, for he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
- Jotham was strengthened, for he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
2 C.27.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- יותם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- מלחמתיו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,prs3ms
- ודרכיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הנם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהודה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 15:36 (verbal): Direct parallel account in Kings of Jotham’s reign; uses the same concluding formula about the rest of his acts being written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 26:22 (structural): Chronicles’ recurring closing formula for Uzziah (Azariah) — 'the rest of his acts' are recorded in the book of the kings — showing the book-to-book editorial pattern.
- 2 Chronicles 28:27 (verbal): Very similar concluding remark for King Ahaz, employing the same wording that points readers to the Book of the Kings for further details.
- 1 Kings 14:19 (thematic): Example from Kings using the same archival citation ('the rest of the acts... are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel'), illustrating the common historiographical practice in the Deuteronomistic/Kings tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- The rest of Jotham's deeds, and all his wars and his ways, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
- The rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, are they not written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah?
2 C.27.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- וחמש: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- במלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ושש: CONJ+NUM,card,m,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 15:33 (quotation): Gives the same age-and-reign formula for Jotham: 'Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem'—a direct parallel to the Chronicler's wording.
- 2 Chronicles 26:3 (structural): Another instance of the Chronicler's royal formula ('He was X years old when he began to reign; he reigned Y years in Jerusalem'), here applied to Uzziah—shows the standard biographical template used for Judean kings.
- 2 Chronicles 25:1 (verbal): Amaziah's introduction uses the same age/reign formula ('Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign'), paralleling the Chronicle's concise biographical pattern and echoing the specific age of twenty-five.
- 1 Kings 14:21 (structural): Rehoboam's entry likewise follows the same age-and-years formula ('Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign; he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem'), illustrating the common historiographical convention across Samuel–Kings–Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
- He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
2 C.27.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יותם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- ויקברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 15:38 (quotation): Direct parallel in the Deuteronomistic history: same death/burial formula and note that Ahaz (or Pekah? context shows succession) succeeds Jotham.
- 1 Kings 2:10 (verbal): Uses the same stock phrase 'slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David' in reporting a king's death and burial (David).
- 2 Chronicles 26:23 (thematic): Another Chronistic royal death notice (Uzziah): similar wording about 'slept with his fathers' and burial with ancestors, illustrating the recurrent formula for royal deaths.
- 2 Chronicles 28:27 (structural): Parallels the succession formula—king dies, is buried in the city, and his son takes the throne (here Ahaz → Hezekiah), showing the standard narrative closure for a reign.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jotham slept with his fathers; they buried him in the City of David. Ahaz his son succeeded him as king.
- Jotham slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the City of David. And Ahaz his son succeeded him as king in his place.
Jotham was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; his mother's name was Jerushah daughter of Zadok.
He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah had done; yet he did not enter the house of the LORD, and the people were still corrupt.
He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD, and he greatly strengthened the wall of the Ophel.
He built cities in the hill country of Judah, and in the forests he built towns and strongholds; he also built towers and cisterns.
He fought against the king of the Ammonites and prevailed over them. The Ammonites paid him that year one hundred talents of silver and ten thousand measures of wheat and ten thousand measures of barley; the same tribute they paid in the second and third years.
Jotham became strong, for he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.
The rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem.
Jotham slept with his fathers and was buried in the City of David; and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.