II Chronicles 34
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Commentaries
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Josiah reigns thirty-one years; destroys idolatry in Judah, as also in Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and even to Naphtali, Ch2 34:1-7. He begins to repair the temple, and collects money for the purpose, and employs workmen, Ch2 34:8-13. Hilkiah the priest finds the book of the law in the temple, which is read by Shaphan before the king, Ch2 34:14-19. He is greatly troubled, and consults Huldah the prophetess, Ch2 34:20-22. Her exhortation, and message to the king, Ch2 34:23-28. He causes it to be read to the elders of Judah, and they make a covenant with God, Ch2 34:29, Ch2 34:32. Josiah reforms every abomination, and the people serve God all his days, Ch2 34:33.
Open source ↗JOSIAH'S GOOD REIGN. (Ch2 34:1-2) Josiah was eight years old--(See on Kg2 22:1). The testimony borne to the undeviating steadfastness of his adherence to the cause of true religion places his character and reign in honorable contrast with those of many of his royal predecessors.
Open source ↗Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign,.... Of these two verses; see Gill on Kg2 22:1; see Gill on Kg2 22:2. . 2 Chronicles 34:3 ch2 34:3 ch2 34:3 ch2 34:3For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young,.... Being in the sixteenth year of his age; though Kimchi thinks it was the very year he began to reign, which was the eighth of his age; and Jarchi observes, it may be interpreted, "though he was young, he began to seek after the God of David his father"; to pray unto him, to seek after the knowledge of him, and the true manner of worshipping him, what were his will, commands, and ordinances; the Targum is,"to seek instruction or doctrine of the Lord God of David his father,''to be taught his ways, such as David his great ancestor walked in, and whom he chose to follow: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves and the carved images, and the molten images; which were made in the times of Manasseh; and though removed by him when humbled, were restored in the reign of Amon. Now Josiah purged the land from these, by putting them down, and destroying them; and this he did when he was twenty years of age, having now more authority, being out of his minority, and from under guardians, and one year before Jeremiah began to prophesy, Jer 1:1.
Open source ↗Duration and spirit of Josiah's reign; agreeing with Kg2 22:1, Kg2 22:2, only the note as to Josiah's mother being here omitted.
Open source ↗Concerning Josiah we are here told, 1. That he came to the crown when he was very young, only eight years old (yet his infancy did not debar him from his right), and he reigned thirty-one years (Ch2 34:1), a considerable time. I fear, however, that in the beginning of his reign things went much as they had done in his father's time, because, being a child, he must have left the management of them to others; so that it was not till his twelfth year, which goes far in the number of his years, that the reformation began, Ch2 34:3. He could not, as Hezekiah did, fall about it immediately. 2. That he reigned very well (Ch2 34:2), approved himself to God, trod in the steps of David, and did not decline either to the right hand of to the left: for there are errors on both hands. 3. That while he was young, about sixteen years old, he began to seek after God, Ch2 34:3. We have reason to think he had not so good an education as Manasseh had (it is well if those about him did not endeavour to corrupt and debauch him); yet he thus sought God when he was young. It is the duty and interest of young people, and will particularly be the honour of young gentlemen, as soon as they come to years of understanding, to begin to seek God; for those that seek him early shall find him. 4. That in the twelfth year of his reign, when it is probable he took the administration of the government entirely into his own hands, he began to purge his kingdom from the remains of idolatry; he destroyed the high places, groves, images, altars, all the utensils of idolatry, v. 3, 4. He not only cast them out as Manasseh did, but broke them to pieces, and made dust of them. This destruction of idolatry is here said to be in his twelfth year, but it was said (Kg2 23:23) to be in his eighteenth year. Something…
Open source ↗34:1 Josiah’s reign of thirty-one years was from 640 to 609 BC.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יֹאשִׁיָּה (Yôʼshîyâh, H2977) — Joshijah, the name of two Israelites שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… שְׂמֹאול (sᵉmôʼwl, H8040) — properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand
Open source ↗שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗נָתַץ (nâthats, H5422) — to tear down מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… חַמָּן (chammân, H2553) — a sun-pillar מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… גָּדַע (gâdaʻ, H1438) — to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything אֲשֵׁרָה (ʼăshêrâh, H842) — Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same פְּסִיל (pᵉçîyl, H6456) — an idol מַסֵּכָה (maççêkâh, H4541) — properly, a pouring over, i.e. fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication,… שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) דָּקַק (dâqaq, H1854) — to crush (or intransitively) crumble זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) קֶבֶר (qeber, H6913) — a sepulchre
Open source ↗שָׂרַף (sâraph, H8313) — to be (causatively, set) on fire עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory שִׁמְעוֹן (Shimʻôwn, H8095) — Shimon, one of Jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtâlîy, H5321) — Naphtali, a son of Jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗נָתַץ (nâthats, H5422) — to tear down מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar אֲשֵׁרָה (ʼăshêrâh, H842) — Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same כָּתַת (kâthath, H3807) — to bruise or violently strike פְּסִיל (pᵉçîyl, H6456) — an idol דָּקַק (dâqaq, H1854) — to crush (or intransitively) crumble גָּדַע (gâdaʻ, H1438) — to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything חַמָּן (chammân, H2553) — a sun-pillar אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… טָהֵר (ṭâhêr, H2891) — to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) שָׁפָן (shâphân, H8227) — a species of rockrabbit (from its hiding), i.e. probably the hyrax בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֲצַלְיָהוּ (ʼĂtsalyâhûw, H683) — Atsaljah, an Israelite מַעֲשֵׂיָה (Maʻăsêyâh, H4641) — Maasejah, the name of sixteen Israelites שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) חִלְקִיָּה (Chilqîyâh, H2518) — Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… סַף (çaph, H5592) — a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine) אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּדַק (bâdaq, H918) — to mend a breach חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively…
Open source ↗חָרָשׁ (chârâsh, H2796) — a fabricator or any material בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קָנָה (qânâh, H7069) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively,… מַחְצֵב (machtsêb, H4274) — properly, a hewing; concretely, a quarry אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) מְחַבְּרָה (mᵉchabbᵉrâh, H4226) — a joiner, i.e. brace or cramp קָרָה (qârâh, H7136) — to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… אֱמוּנָה (ʼĕmûwnâh, H530) — literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… יַחַת (Yachath, H3189) — Jachath, the name of four Israelites עֹבַדְיָה (ʻÔbadyâh, H5662) — Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מְרָרִי (Mᵉrârîy, H4847) — Merari, an Israelite זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites מְשֻׁלָּם (Mᵉshullâm, H4918) — Meshullam, the name of seventeen Israelites קֳהָתִי (Qŏhâthîy, H6956) — a Kohathite (collectively) or descendants of Kehath פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care…
Open source ↗סַבָּל (çabbâl, H5449) — a porter נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… שֹׁטֵר (shôṭêr, H7860) — properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or… שׁוֹעֵר (shôwʻêr, H7778) — a janitor
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חִלְקִיָּה (Chilqîyâh, H2518) — Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
Open source ↗Cross-references
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The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,
This is the word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:
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.
All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.
And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”
Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod.
Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning.
But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and they made his son Josiah king in his place.
And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with man.
Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years.