Jehoram’s Reign in Israel
2 Kings 8:16-24
2 K.8.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובשנת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- חמש: NUM,card,f,sg
- ליורם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהושפט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהורם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 21:1-2 (structural): Chronicles records the accession of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat but synchronizes it to the second year of Jehoram son of Ahab — a variant chronology to 2 Kgs 8:16.
- 1 Kings 22:50-51 (verbal): Describes the death of Jehoshaphat and the succession of his son Jehoram in Judah, a parallel notice of the same dynastic transfer.
- 2 Kings 3:1 (structural): Uses the same regnal-synchronization formula (‘In the year of X king of Israel… Y king of Judah began to reign’), illustrating the standard dating practice in the Deuteronomistic history.
- 2 Kings 8:17 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the accession notice in 8:16, giving Jehoram’s age and length of reign and thus directly linked to the statement of his becoming king.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the fifth year of Jehoram son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah.
- In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah.
2 K.8.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ושתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- במלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ושמנה: NUM,card,sg
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 21:5 (verbal): Gives the same biographical data verbatim: Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign and reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 21:1 (structural): Describes the succession context — Jehoram succeeds his father (Jehoshaphat) as king of Judah — paralleling the accession implied in 2 Kings 8:16–17.
- 2 Chronicles 21:20 (structural): Records the end of Jehoram’s reign (his illness and death) and burial, completing the narrative arc that 2 Kings 8:17 begins by noting his age and eight-year reign.
- 2 Chronicles 22:1 (thematic): Describes the succession after Jehoram (his son Ahaziah becoming king), linking to the dating and dynastic continuity signaled by 2 Kings 8:17’s statement of reign length and chronology.
Alternative generated candidates
- He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
- He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
2 K.8.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- אחאב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לאשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 16:30-33 (verbal): Describes Ahab’s wickedness and idolatry (including Jezebel); provides the model of the ‘house of Ahab’ whose ways Jehoram follows.
- 1 Kings 21:25 (thematic): Declares that Ahab ‘did more evil’ than his predecessors, explaining the particularly negative force of following Ahab’s example.
- 2 Chronicles 21:6-7 (verbal): Chronicles’ parallel account explicitly notes Jehoram’s marriage to Ahab’s daughter and states he ‘walked in the ways of the house of Ahab’ and did evil before the LORD.
- 2 Kings 9 (esp. vv. 7-10, 22-26) (thematic): Narrative of Jehu’s purge of Ahab’s house shows the eventual judgment against the dynasty whose ways Jehoram adopted, linking his alignment with Ahab to later consequences.
Alternative generated candidates
- He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of Ahab as wife; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
- He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done; for he had Ahab's daughter as his wife, and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
2 K.8.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- אבה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להשחית: VERB,hif,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- למען: PREP
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ניר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבניו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:36 (verbal): Uses the same image of a 'lamp' for David's descendants — God will leave a lamp to David's sons so that his house may have a continual presence.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (allusion): God's covenant promise to David that his offspring and house will be established forever; provides the theological basis for not destroying David's line.
- 1 Chronicles 17:11-14 (verbal): Parallel retelling of the Davidic covenant language (cf. 2 Samuel 7), reiterating God's promise to preserve David's dynasty.
- Psalm 89:3-4,36-37 (thematic): Affirms the enduring Davidic covenant — vows that David's line and throne will be established 'forever' (often using celestial imagery like sun and moon to signify permanence).
Alternative generated candidates
- But the LORD would not destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, as he had promised him to give a lamp to his sons always.
- But the LORD would not destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant; He had promised to give a lamp to David and to his sons always.
2 K.8.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בימיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- פשע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מתחת: PREP
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וימלכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
Parallels
- 2Chron.21.8 (quotation): Direct parallel in Chronicles repeating that Edom revolted from under Judah and set up a king — the same report of Edom's break from Judah's control.
- 2Kgs.8.22 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within the same chapter: other vassal territories (e.g., Libnah) also revolted during this king's reign, showing widespread loss of control.
- 2Sam.8.13-14 (thematic): Earlier account of David subduing Edom and placing garrisons; provides background contrast to the later loss of Edom's subjection under Judah.
- Obad.1:1-4 (thematic): A prophetic indictment of Edom's pride and eventual downfall; thematically related to Edom's independent status and its consequences in the prophetic tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- In his days Edom revolted from under the rule of Judah, and they set up a king over themselves.
- In his days Edom revolted from under the rule of Judah, and they set up a king over themselves.
2 K.8.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יורם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- צעירה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- קם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויכה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הסביב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וינס: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאהליו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 21:8 (verbal): Direct parallel/duplicate account of Jehoram going out with chariots and striking Edom; Chronicles repeats the same episode and wording as Kings.
- Amos 1:12 (thematic): Prophetic indictment of Edom for pursuing and shedding the blood of his brother—reflects the long-standing Edom–Israel enmity behind military clashes like this.
- Obadiah 1:12-14 (thematic): Condemnation of Edom for violence and rejoicing over Israel’s calamity; thematically linked to episodes of conflict and subjugation between Israel/Judah and Edom.
- Psalm 60:9 (thematic): Poetic imagery of subduing Edom (’over Edom will I throw my shoe’); echoes the motif of Israelite military victory over Edom found in the historical narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jehoram went out with all his chariots; and he rose up by night and struck the Edomites that compassed him and the captains of the chariots, and the people fled to their tents.
- Jehoram went to Zair, he and all his chariots with him; and he rose up by night and struck the Edomites who surrounded him and the commanders of the chariots. The people fled to their tents.
2 K.8.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפשע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מתחת: PREP
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אז: ADV
- תפשע: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לבנה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 8:20-21 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the same episode describes Edom's revolt and Libnah's uprising during Jehoram's reign—directly parallels the statement in v.22.
- 2 Chronicles 21:8-11 (structural): Chronicles' parallel account of Jehoram's reign records the same disturbances—Libnah's revolt and Edom breaking away—retelling the Kings narrative.
- 1 Kings 12:16 (thematic): Describes Israel's revolt from the house of David 'unto this day'—similar language and theme of provinces/nations breaking away from Judah's rule.
- Obadiah 1:10-14 (thematic): Prophetic denunciation of Edom's violence and breach with Israel/Judah; thematically linked to Edom's successful assertion of independence described in 2 Kgs 8:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- Edom broke away from under Judah's rule to this day; and Libnah also revolted in those days.
- Edom revolted from under the rule of Judah to this day; at that time Libnah also revolted.
2 K.8.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- יורם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הלוא: PART
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למלכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 1 Kings 14:19 (verbal): Uses the same closing formula—‘the rest of the acts of [the king] are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah’—directing readers to the royal annals for further details.
- 2 Chronicles 21:20 (verbal): Chronicles’ account of Jehoram/Joram contains a parallel closing remark that the remainder of his deeds are recorded in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah, a direct correspondence with the Kings formula.
- 1 Kings 22:40 (structural): Another example of the standard Kings/Chronicles closing formula: after narrating a king’s reign the text points readers to the ‘book of the chronicles’ for the rest of the acts, showing the recurring editorial structure used throughout the Deuteronomistic history.
Alternative generated candidates
- The rest of the acts of Jehoram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
- Now the rest of the acts of Jehoram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2 K.8.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יורם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- ויקבר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחזיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chron.21.20 (quotation): Chronicles parallel to Kings: uses nearly identical wording about Joram’s death, burial in the city of David, and succession by his son Ahaziah.
- 2 Chron.22.1 (structural): Begins the account of Ahaziah’s reign in Chronicles immediately after Joram’s death—parallels the succession formula in 2 Kgs 8:24.
- 1 Kings 22:50 (verbal): Similar royal death formula: 'he slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; and [his son] reigned in his stead'—same closing motif for a king’s reign.
- 1 Kings 2:10 (verbal): Uses the phrase 'was buried in the city of David' in the report of David’s death—shared burial language that recurs in royal epitaphs.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jehoram slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.
- Jehoram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place.
In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah.
He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he had taken Ahab’s daughter as his wife; and he did evil in the sight of the LORD.
Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah, for the sake of David his servant, as he had promised to give a lamp to his sons all the days.
In his days Edom revolted from under the rule of Judah, and they set a king over themselves.
Jehoram went out with all his chariots; and he rose up by night and struck the Edomites who were round about him and the captains of the chariots, and the people fled to their tents. So Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah to this day. And Libnah revolted at that time.
As for the rest of the acts of Jehoram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Jehoram slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David; and his son Ahaziah reigned in his stead.