How Long Did Jehoiachin Rule Over Jerusalem?

Some argue that the Bible is contradictory concerning how long Jehoiachin ruled over Jerusalem. The argument is that 2 Kings 24:8 says that Jehoiachin ruled three months over Jerusalem, but 2 Chronicles 36:9 says that he reigned three months and ten days. However, there are at least two reasonable explanations that solve this alleged contradiction in the Bible.

Scriptures – How Long Did Jehoiachin Rule Over Jerusalem?

Jehoiachin Reigned Three Months Over Jerusalem – 2 Kings 24:8

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 24:8

Jehoiachin Reigned Three Months Over Jerusalem – 2 Chronicles 36:9

Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 36:9

The Answer – How Long Did Jehoiachin Rule Over Jerusalem?

There are at least two reasonable explanations that would resolve this alleged contradiction:

1. 2 Kings 24:8 is rounding to the nearest month
2. There was a copyist error

1. 2 Kings 24:8 is Rounding to the Nearest Months

The most probable explanation for the difference between 2 Kings 24:8 and 2 Chronicles 36:9 is that 2 Kings 24:8 is simply rounding to the nearest month, while 2 Chronicles 36:9 gives a more precise length of time.

There Was a Copyist Error

It is also possible that the discrepancy is due to a copyist error. This is reasonable to believe, since the difference between the Hebrew characters for three months and three months and ten days is very small.

Foundational Principles Regarding Bible Difficulties

There are some foundational principles that apply to all alleged and apparent contradictions in the Bible. To read more, see Bible Difficulties: Foundational Principles.

Related to “How Long Did Jehoiachin Rule Over Jerusalem?”

To read more answers to alleged and apparent contradictions in the Bible, see “Contradictions” in the Bible Answered.

These books are also excellent resources:

• Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions Volume 1 – Ken Ham
• Demolishing Supposed Bible Contradictions Volume 2 – Tim Chaffrey