2 Chronicles 22:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ahaziah is 42 years old when he begins his one-year reign; his mother is Athaliah, daughter of Omri.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 22:2
Details of Ahaziah's reign and his influential mother.
What Does 2 Chronicles 22:2 Mean?
Ahaziah's age (42) at his accession is striking. He is not the youthful figurehead the previous verse implied by calling him youngest—rather, he is a middle-aged man, making 'youngest' a relative term among Jehoram's sons. His one-year reign foretells political instability; unlike his predecessors who ruled for many years, his time is brief and eventful.
Athaliah, his mother and primary counselor, is identified as the daughter of Omri, the founding king of Israel's northern dynasty. This genealogical note signals her influence: she brings the ways of the northern kingdom directly into Judah's court—a connection that will drive the chapter's tragic events.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 22:2
What does 2 Chronicles 22:2 mean?
Ahaziah is 42 years old when he begins his one-year reign; his mother is Athaliah, daughter of Omri.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 22:2?
Details of Ahaziah's reign and his influential mother.