How old was Jehoiachin when he became king? 2 Kings 24:8 and 2 Chronicles 36:9
2 Kings 24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mothers name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem.2 Chronicles 36:9 Jehoiachin was eighteen [see note] years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD.
Note: One Hebrew manuscript, some Septuagint manuscripts and Syriac (see also 2 Kings 24:8); most Hebrew manuscripts eight.
"Eight" is most likely a copyist error. Jehoiachin was probably 18 years of age when he became king. An eight-year-old, who only reigned for 3 months, is hardly likely to have merited the condemnation, "He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father had done" (2 Kings 24:9). Additionally, that he was condemned to prison in 597 B.C. indicates that was more than likely an adult.
![](https://thirdmill.org/images/authors/Joseph Nally.jpg)
Dr. Joseph R. Nally, Jr., D.D., M.Div. is the Theological Editor at Third Millennium Ministries (Thirdmill).