2 Chronicles 21:20 Meaning and Explanation
“Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jehoram died at age forty, having ruled eight years; he was buried in Jerusalem but denied the honor of the royal tombs.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 21:20
The epilogue to Jehoram's reign, marking his death and lesser burial.
What Does 2 Chronicles 21:20 Mean?
The chronicle of Jehoram's life is summarized here: he became king at thirty-two, ruled for only eight years, and 'departed without being desired'—a statement that his death brought no grief or loss to the nation. His life and reign were a reversal of his father's legacy, bringing judgment rather than blessing, loss rather than security.
Though Jehoram received burial in the city of David, he was excluded from the sepulchers of the kings—a final mark of shame. He was treated neither as a foreign outcast nor with full royal honor, but as a liminal figure, buried in his city yet denied the tomb reserved for righteous kings. His fate stands as a warning that a king's legacy is determined not by birth or position but by faithfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 21:20
What does 2 Chronicles 21:20 mean?
Jehoram died at age forty, having ruled eight years; he was buried in Jerusalem but denied the honor of the royal tombs.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 21:20?
The epilogue to Jehoram's reign, marking his death and lesser burial.