2 Kings 11:21 — Word Study
WLCבֶּן־ שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִ֖ים יְהוֹאָ֥שׁ בְּמָלְכֽוֹ׃ פ
BSA[was] a son ofben- sevenShe.va' yearssha.Nim Jehoashye.ho.'Ash when became king hebe.ma.le.Kho
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בֶּן־ | [was] a son of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| שֶׁ֥בַע | seven | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| שָׁנִ֖ים | years | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| יְהוֹאָ֥שׁ | Jehoash | Noun proper masculine |
| בְּמָלְכֽוֹ׃ פ | when became king he | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Joash was seven years old when he became king. |
| KJV | Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign. |
| ASV | Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign. |
| YLT | a son of seven years is Jehoash in his reigning. |
| WEB | Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign. |
| BBE | And Jehoash was seven years old when he became king. |
All translations agree on Joash's age when he became king.
The sentence consists of a main clause stating Joash's age and a subordinate clause indicating the timing of his kingship.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Trapp, Ellicott, AdamClarke & more — read them ›
clause
subjectH3060
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Kings 11:21
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Reign of Joashgenerated
2 Kings 11:21 describes Joash's ascension to the throne at a young age, following a period of turmoil in Judah. This moment is significant as it represents a restoration of rightful leadership after the reign of Athaliah, who had usurped the throne. Joash's rule is noted for the reforms and restoration of the temple, as seen in 2 Chronicles 24:1-14.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 11:4 | Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son |
| 2 | 2 Kings 22:1 | Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 24:1–14 | Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 3 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְהוֹאָשׁ, ye.ho.'Ashgenerated
The word יְהוֹאָשׁ (yeho'ash) refers specifically to Joash, a king of Judah. His name means 'given by the Lord', indicating a divine purpose in his kingship. This name is significant in the context of his role as a leader during a critical time in Judah's history.
Joash's youth at the time of his ascension, being only seven years old, emphasizes the extraordinary circumstances of his kingship. The biblical narrative highlights that despite his age, he was placed on the throne to restore order and worship in Judah.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb in this verse is בְּמָלְכֽוֹ, when he became king, which governs the entire clause. The structure presents Joash's age as a subordinate detail to his ascension to the throne.
The sentence is straightforward, with a clear subject (Joash) and a predicate that describes his age and the event of becoming king, emphasizing the remarkable nature of a child ruling.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Kings 11:21 states that Joash was seven years old when he became king. This highlights the unusual situation of a child ascending to the throne, a significant moment in the history of Judah.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Joash's age is significant because it highlights the unusual circumstances of a child becoming king, which reflects the need for restoration in Judah after a period of turmoil.
Joash's name means 'given by the Lord', indicating a divine purpose in his kingship and the restoration of rightful leadership in Judah.
Joash's ascension at a young age meant that he would require guidance from those around him, particularly the high priest Jehoiada, who played a crucial role in his early reign.
Joash's reign is noted for the restoration of the temple and reforms that aimed to return the people of Judah to proper worship and governance.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does Joash's story teach us about leadership and responsibility at a young age?
- How can we see God's providence in the way Joash was placed on the throne?
- In what ways can we support young leaders in our communities today?
- What lessons can we learn from the reforms that Joash initiated during his reign?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Kings 11:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSeven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign. Being a year old when his father was killed and having been hid six years in the temple.
Read John Gill on 2 Kings 11 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments2 Kings 11:21 Seven years old [was] Jehoash when he began to reign.Ver. 21. Seven years old.] So that he was anniculus, about one year old when he was sought for to the slaughter. Athaliah might well have written as Mary Queen of Scots did in a window at Fotheringay castle, “ From the top of all my trust, Mishap hath laid me in the dust.”
Read John Trapp on 2 Kings 11 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Seven years old was Jehoash.—The Hebrew editions connect this verse with chapter 12.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Kings 11 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 21. Seven years old was Jehoash] The first instance on record of making a child seven years old the king of any nation, and especially of such a nation as the Jews, who were at all times very difficult to be governed.
Read AdamClarke on 2 Kings 11 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21. Seven years old was Jehoash] R.V. Jehoash was seven years old. This is the arrangement of the words in 2 Chron. Joash and Jehoash are duplicate forms of the same kind as have been noticed above on 2 Kings 10:15. The shorter form is used by the Chronicler, and is found presently below in 2 Kings 12:19-20.
Read Cambridge on 2 Kings 11 →The verse in English, compared — 8 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Joash was seven years old when he became king.
Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.
Tyndale line
Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign.
Jehoash was seven years old when he began to reign.
Seuen yeere olde was Iehoash when he began to reigne.
Simplified
And Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.
Joash was seven when he became king.
Strictly literal
a son of seven years is Jehoash in his reigning.
T4T (Translation for Translators) is not shown above. It restates the passage rather than the verse, so there is no line of English to set beside the others — which is a fact about that translation, not a fault in it.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
בֶּן־ שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִ֖ים יְהוֹאָ֥שׁ בְּמָלְכֽוֹ׃ פ
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Kings 11:21
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שֶׁ֫בַע (sheba`) means 'seven' and is a cardinal number. It can also imply 'seven times' or refer to a week. The term appears in various contexts, including combinations like 17 or 700. Its Aramaic equivalent is שִׁבְעָה (shiv.ah), also meaning 'seven'.
שֶׁ֫בַע, שִׁבְעָה 394 n.m. et f. seven
base
H7651 שֶׁ֫בַע, שִׁבְעָה seven
7651 sheba` sheh'-bah
or (masculine) shibrah {shib-aw'}; from 7650; a primitive
cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also
(adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by
extension, an indefinite number:--(+ by) seven(-fold),-s,
(-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare 7658.
see HEBREW for 07650
see HEBREW for 07658
שֶׁ֫בַע (she.va) — seven.
1) seven (cardinal number)
1a) as ordinal number
1b) in combination-17, 700 etc
Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
HNcbsa — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
sev'-'-n (shebha`; hepta).
See NUMBER.
Seven
This number occurs frequently in Scripture, and in such connections as lead to the supposition that it has some typical meaning. On the seventh day God rested, and hallowed it (Gen. 2:2, 3). The division of time into weeks of seven days each accounts for many instances of the occurrence of this number. This number has been called the symbol of perfection, and also the symbol of rest. “Jacob’s seven years’ service to Laban; Pharaoh’s seven fat oxen and seven lean ones; the seven branches of the golden candlestick; the seven trumpets and the seven priests who sounded them; the seven days’ siege of Jericho; the seven churches, seven spirits, seven stars, seven seals, seven vials, and many others, sufficiently prove the importance of this sacred number” (see Lev. 25:4;
The frequent recurrence of certain numbers in the sacred literature of the Hebrews is obvious to the most superficial reader, but seven so far surpasses the rest, both in the frequency with which it recurs and in the importance of the objects with which it is associated, that it may fairly be termed the representative symbolic number. The influence of the number seven was not restricted to the Hebrews; it prevailed among the Persians, ancient Indians, Greeks and Romans. The peculiarity of the Hebrew view consists in the special dignity of the seventh, and not simply in that of seen. The Sabbath being the seventh day suggested the adoption of seven as the coefficient, so to say, for their appointment of all sacred periods; and we thus find the 7th month ushered in by the Feast of Trumpets, and signalized by the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Great Day of Atonement; 7…
As from the beginning this was the number of days in the week, so it often has in Scripture a sort of emphasis attached to it, and is very generally used as a round or perfect number. Clean beasts were taken into the ark by sevens, Ge 7:1-24. The years of plenty and famine in Egypt were marked by sevens, Ge 41:1-57. With the Jews, not only was there a seventh day Sabbath, but every seventh year was a Sabbath, and after every seven times seven years came a jubilee. Their great feasts of unleavened bread and of tabernacles were observed for seven days; the number of animals in many of their sacrifices was limited to seven. The golden candlestick had seven branches. Seven priests with seven trumpets went around the walls of Jericho seven days, and seven times on the seventh day. In…
שָׁנָה (shaneh) means 'year' and is derived from the root meaning to change or revolve. It encompasses various aspects of time, including divisions of time, measures of age, and even a lifetime. The Aramaic equivalent is שְׁנָה (she.nah), also meaning 'year'.
שָׁנָה 877 n.f. year (etym. v. √[v.ek.aa])
base
H8141 שָׁנָה year (etym. v. √[8138a])
8141 shaneh shaw-neh'
(in plura or (feminine) shanah {shaw-naw'}; from 8138; a year
(as a revolution of time):--+ whole age, X long, + old,
year(X -ly).
see HEBREW for 08138
שָׁנָה (sha.neh) — year.
1) year
1a) as division of time
1b) as measure of time
1c) as indication of age
1d) a lifetime (of years of life)
Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
HNcmpa — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
יְהוֹאָשׁ (Yhow'ash) refers to two kings in the Old Testament: one from Judah, son of Ahaziah, and one from Israel, son of Jehoahaz. The name means 'given by the Lord' and is associated with various biblical figures, including a prince of Ahab's house and a hero of David. The entries indicate a connection to the Hebrew roots for Jehovah and possibly 'fire'.
יְהוֹאָשׁ, יוֹאָשׁ n.pr.m. (י׳ is strong)
king of Judah, son of Ahaziah
king of Israel, son of Jehoahaz
father of Gideon
a prince of Ahab’s house
one of David’s heroes
a Judaite prince
base
H3060 יְהוֹאָשׁ, יוֹאָשׁ
3060 Yhow'ash yeh-ho-awsh'
from 3068 and (perhaps) 784; Jehovah-fired; Jehoash, the name
of two Israelite kings:--Jehoash. Compare 3101.
see HEBREW for 03068
see HEBREW for 0784
see HEBREW for 03101
יְהוֹאָשׁ (ye.ho.ash) — Jehoash.
A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.11.2;
son of: Ahaziah (H0274H) and Zibiah (H6645); married to Jehoaddan (H3086);
father of: Amaziah (H0558); also called Jehoash at 2Ki.11.21; 12.1,2,4,6,7,18; 14.13b;
Another name of yo.ash (יוֹאָשׁ "Joash" H3101I)
§ Jehoash = "given by the Lord"
1) son of king Ahaziah and the 8th king of Judah
2) son of king Jehoahaz and the 12th king of the northern kingdom of Israel
יְהוֹאָשׁ (ye.ho.ash) — Jehoash.
A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.13.9;
son of: Jehoahaz (H3059);
father of: Jeroboam (H3379H); also called Jehoash at 2Ki.13.10,25; 14.8,9,11,13,15,16,17;
Another name of yo.ash (יוֹאָשׁ "Joash" H3101J)
§ Jehoash = "given by the Lord"
HNpm — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Jehoash
Jehovah-given. (1.) The son of King Ahaziah. While yet an infant, he was saved from the general massacre of the family by his aunt Jehosheba, and was apparently the only surviving descendant of Solomon (2 Chr. 21:4, 17). His uncle, the high priest Jehoiada, brought him forth to public notice when he was eight years of age, and crowned and anointed him king of Judah with the usual ceremonies. Athaliah was taken by surprise when she heard the shout of the people, “Long live the king;” and when she appeared in the temple, Jehoiada commanded her to be led forth to death (2 Kings 11:13-20). While the high priest lived, Jehoash favoured the worship of God and observed the law; but on his death he fell away into evil courses, and the land was defiled with idolatry. Zechariah, the…
(given by the Lord), the uncontracted form of Joash. The eighth king of Judah; son of Ahaziah. (2 Kings 11:21; 12:1,2,4,6,7,18; 14:13) [JOASH, 1] The twelfth king of Israel; son of Jehoahaz. (2 Kings 13:10,25; 14:8,9,11,13,15,16,17) [JOASH, 2]
See JOASH.
fire of the Lord
מָלַךְ (malak) is a Hebrew verb meaning to reign, become king or queen, or to counsel. It encompasses various forms, including Qal (to reign), Hiphil (to make someone king), and Niphal (to consider). The word appears in contexts related to royalty and governance, with a notable reference in Daniel 9:1 for its use in the passive form.
H4427a מָלַךְ vb. denom. be, or become king, or queen, reign H4427b מָלַךְ counsel, advise—only Niph. Impf.
4427 malak maw-lak'
a primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the
throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by
implication) to take counsel:--consult, X indeed, be (make,
set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to)
reign(-ing), rule, X surely.
מָלַךְ (ma.lakh) — to reign.
1) to be or become king or queen, reign
1a) (Qal) to be or become king or queen, reign
1b) (Hiphil) to make one king or queen, cause to reign
1c) (Hophal) to be made king or queen
מָלַךְ (ma.lakh) — to advise.
1) to counsel, advise
1a) (Niphal) to consider
Aramaic equivalent: me.lakh (מְלֵךְ "counsel" H4431)
HR/Vqcc/Sp3ms — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common · suffixHR/Vqcc/Sp3ms
ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.