Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 34

Introduction

Overview

2 Chronicles 34:1, Josiah’s good reign; 2 Chronicles 34:3, He destroys idolatry; 2 Chronicles 34:8, He takes order for the repair of the temple; 2 Chronicles 34:14, Hilkiah, having found a book of the law, Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord; 2 Chronicles 34:23, Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah’s time; 2 Chronicles 34:29, Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, renews the covenant with God.

Verse 1

am 3363-3394, bc 641-610

Josiah: 2 Chronicles 33:25, 1 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 22:1-20, 1 Chronicles 3:14, 1 Chronicles 3:15, Jeremiah 1:2, Zephaniah 1:1, Matthew 1:10, Matthew 1:11, Josias

eight years: 2 Chronicles 24:1, 2 Chronicles 26:1, 2 Chronicles 33:1, 1 Samuel 2:18, 1 Samuel 2:26, 1 Kings 3:7-9, Ecclesiastes 4:13

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:7 - beaten Isaiah 3:4 - children Matthew 25:16 - went

Verse 2

right in the sight: 2 Chronicles 14:2, 2 Chronicles 17:3, 2 Chronicles 29:2, 1 Kings 14:8, 1 Kings 15:5, 2 Kings 22:2

declined: Deuteronomy 5:32, Deuteronomy 17:11, Deuteronomy 17:20, Deuteronomy 28:14, Joshua 1:7, Joshua 23:6, Proverbs 4:27

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:14 - as thy 1 Kings 11:4 - his heart 2 Kings 16:2 - did not 2 Kings 22:1 - Josiah 2 Chronicles 33:1 - twelve Proverbs 4:5 - neither Ecclesiastes 2:21 - whose Ecclesiastes 12:1 - Remember Jeremiah 22:15 - and do

Verse 3

am 3370, bc 634 2 Kings 18:4

while he: 1 Chronicles 22:5, 1 Chronicles 29:1, Psalms 119:9, Ecclesiastes 12:1, 2 Timothy 3:15

to seek: 2 Chronicles 15:2, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Proverbs 8:17, Matthew 6:33

purge: 2 Chronicles 33:17, 2 Chronicles 33:22, Leviticus 26:30, 2 Kings 23:4, 2 Kings 23:14

the high places: 2 Chronicles 30:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:24 - overthrow Exodus 34:13 - ye shall Deuteronomy 12:3 - and burn Judges 3:7 - the groves 1 Kings 18:12 - from my youth 2 Kings 10:27 - brake down the image 2 Kings 15:4 - the high places 2 Kings 16:2 - did not 2 Kings 20:5 - the God 2 Kings 21:3 - the high places 2 Kings 22:3 - in the 2 Chronicles 17:6 - he took away 2 Chronicles 29:3 - He in the first 2 Chronicles 29:5 - sanctify the house 2 Chronicles 31:1 - brake 2 Chronicles 33:4 - he built 2 Chronicles 34:33 - took away Isaiah 30:22 - defile Isaiah 38:5 - God Jeremiah 25:3 - thirteenth Amos 5:4 - Seek Matthew 20:2 - he sent

Verse 4

brake down: 2 Chronicles 33:3, Exodus 23:24, Leviticus 26:30, Deuteronomy 7:5, Deuteronomy 7:25

images: or, sun images, 2 Chronicles 14:5, 2 Kings 23:4, 2 Kings 23:5, 2 Kings 23:11

made dust: 2 Chronicles 34:7, Exodus 32:20, Deuteronomy 9:21, 2 Kings 23:12, Psalms 18:42, Isaiah 27:9

graves: Heb. face of the graves, 2 Kings 10:26, 2 Kings 10:27, 2 Kings 23:4, 2 Kings 23:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:13 - ye shall 1 Kings 13:2 - Josiah by name 1 Kings 15:13 - destroyed 2 Kings 11:18 - went 2 Kings 23:14 - he brake 2 Chronicles 14:3 - brake 2 Chronicles 23:17 - the house of Baal 2 Chronicles 30:14 - altars 2 Chronicles 33:4 - he built Isaiah 17:8 - images Jeremiah 8:1 - General Ezekiel 6:4 - images Zephaniah 1:4 - the remnant

Verse 5

he: 1 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 23:16, Jeremiah 8:1, Jeremiah 8:2

cleansed: 2 Chronicles 34:7, Numbers 35:33, Jeremiah 3:10, Jeremiah 4:14, Ezekiel 22:24

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 23:20 - burned Ezekiel 6:4 - and I Hosea 10:8 - their altars

Verse 6

in: 2 Chronicles 30:1, 2 Chronicles 30:10, 2 Chronicles 30:11, 2 Chronicles 31:1, 2 Kings 23:15-20

mattocks: or, mauls, 1 Samuel 13:20, 1 Samuel 13:21, Proverbs 25:18, Isaiah 7:25

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 23:19 - the cities Isaiah 17:8 - he shall Hosea 8:6 - shall Amos 3:14 - I will Micah 1:7 - all the graven

Verse 7

beaten: 2 Chronicles 34:1, Deuteronomy 9:21

into powder: Heb. to make powder

he returned: 2 Chronicles 31:1

Reciprocal: Judges 3:7 - the groves 2 Kings 11:18 - went 2 Kings 23:19 - the cities 2 Chronicles 15:16 - cut down 2 Chronicles 23:17 - the house of Baal 2 Chronicles 30:14 - altars 2 Chronicles 34:4 - made dust 2 Chronicles 34:5 - cleansed 2 Chronicles 34:9 - and they returned Isaiah 17:8 - he shall Ezekiel 7:2 - unto Hosea 8:6 - shall Amos 3:14 - I will Micah 1:7 - all the graven

Verse 8

am 3380, bc 624

the eighteenth: Jeremiah 1:2, Jeremiah 1:3

sent Shaphan: 2 Kings 22:3, 2 Kings 22:12, 2 Kings 22:14, Jeremiah 26:24, Jeremiah 29:3, Jeremiah 36:10, Jeremiah 39:14, Jeremiah 40:11, Ezekiel 8:11

Maaseiah: Jeremiah 21:1, Jeremiah 29:21, Jeremiah 29:25

recorder: 2 Samuel 8:16, 2 Samuel 20:24, 1 Chronicles 18:15

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:18 - the recorder 2 Chronicles 24:5 - gather of all Israel 2 Chronicles 34:17 - And they Jeremiah 25:3 - thirteenth

Verse 9

Hilkiah: 2 Chronicles 34:14, 2 Chronicles 34:15, 2 Chronicles 34:18, 2 Chronicles 34:20, 2 Chronicles 34:22, 2 Kings 22:4, 2 Kings 23:4

they delivered: 2 Chronicles 24:11-14, 2 Kings 22:5-7, Philippians 4:8

Manasseh: 2 Chronicles 30:10, 2 Chronicles 30:18, 2 Chronicles 31:1

and they returned: Instead of wyyashuvoo, "and they returned," as the Keri has, we should, with the Kethiv, read weyoshevey, "and the inhabitants of;" a reading which is supported by many MSS, printed editions, and all the versions, as well as necessity and common sense. 2 Chronicles 34:7

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 12:11 - gave the money 2 Chronicles 24:5 - gather of all Israel 2 Chronicles 24:12 - gave it to such Ezra 7:1 - Hilkiah

Verse 10

in the hand: 2 Kings 12:11, 2 Kings 12:12, 2 Kings 12:14, 2 Kings 22:5, 2 Kings 22:6, Ezra 3:7

Verse 11

floor: or, rafter

the kings: 2 Chronicles 33:4-7, 2 Chronicles 33:22

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 13:5 - a great

Verse 12

faithfully: 2 Chronicles 31:12, 2 Kings 12:15, 2 Kings 22:7, Nehemiah 7:2, Proverbs 28:20, 1 Corinthians 4:2

all: 1 Chronicles 6:31-48, 1 Chronicles 15:16-22, 1 Chronicles 16:4, 1 Chronicles 16:5, 1 Chronicles 16:41, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 1 Chronicles 25:1-31

skill: The verb skill is now obsolete: the meaning is, "every one who is skilful, maiveen, on instruments of music.

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:34 - officers Psalms 33:3 - play

Verse 13

the bearers: 2 Chronicles 2:10, 2 Chronicles 2:18, 2 Chronicles 8:10, Nehemiah 4:10

and of the Levites: 1 Chronicles 23:4, 1 Chronicles 23:5

scribes: Ezra 7:6, Jeremiah 8:8, Matthew 26:3

officers: 2 Chronicles 19:11, 1 Chronicles 23:4, 1 Chronicles 26:29, 1 Chronicles 26:30

porters: 2 Chronicles 8:14, 1 Chronicles 9:17, 1 Chronicles 15:18, 1 Chronicles 16:38, 1 Chronicles 16:42, 1 Chronicles 26:1-19, Ezra 7:7

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 24:6 - the scribe Matthew 2:4 - scribes

Verse 14

Hilkiah: 2 Kings 22:8-20, Deuteronomy 31:24-26

a book: Literally, "a book of the law of the Lord, by the hand of Moses," i.e, as Dr. Kennicott understands it, "in the handwriting of Moses;" for, says he, though there are fifteen places in the Old Testament which mention the "Law of Moses," and "book of Moses," yet this one place only mentions "the book of the law in, or by, the hand of Moses."

the law: 2 Chronicles 12:1, 2 Chronicles 31:4, 2 Chronicles 35:26, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 17:19, Joshua 1:8, Ezra 7:10, Psalms 1:2, Isaiah 5:24, Isaiah 30:9, Jeremiah 8:8, Luke 2:39

Moses: Heb. the hand of Moses, Leviticus 8:36, Leviticus 10:11, Leviticus 26:46

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:16 - General Deuteronomy 31:26 - in the side 2 Kings 23:24 - the book 1 Chronicles 6:13 - Hilkiah 2 Chronicles 34:9 - Hilkiah 2 Chronicles 35:3 - Put 2 Chronicles 35:8 - Hilkiah

Verse 15

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:16 - General Deuteronomy 17:18 - out of that which Deuteronomy 31:26 - in the side 2 Kings 22:8 - I have found 2 Chronicles 34:9 - Hilkiah 2 Chronicles 34:30 - the book Ezra 7:1 - Hilkiah Nehemiah 8:1 - bring Matthew 2:4 - scribes

Verse 16

Shaphan: 2 Kings 22:9, 2 Kings 22:10, Jeremiah 36:20, Jeremiah 36:21

thy servants: Heb. the hand of thy servants

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 36:13 - General

Verse 17

And they: 2 Chronicles 34:8-10

gathered together: Heb. poured out, or melted

Verse 18

And Shaphan read: Deuteronomy 17:19, Joshua 1:8, Psalms 119:46, Psalms 119:97-99, Jeremiah 36:20, Jeremiah 36:21

it: Heb. in it

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:10 - Shaphan 2 Chronicles 16:11 - Judah 2 Chronicles 34:9 - Hilkiah 2 Chronicles 34:30 - the book

Verse 19

the words: Romans 3:20, Romans 7:7-11, Galatians 2:19, Galatians 3:10-13

that he rent: 2 Kings 19:1, 2 Kings 22:11, 2 Kings 22:19, Jeremiah 36:22-24, Joel 2:13

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:12 - the king 2 Chronicles 34:27 - didst rend 2 Chronicles 34:30 - the book Nehemiah 8:9 - all the people Jeremiah 36:24 - nor rent Mark 14:8 - hath done

Verse 20

Ahikam: 2 Kings 25:22, Jeremiah 26:24, Jeremiah 40:6, Jeremiah 40:9, Jeremiah 40:14

Abdon: This person seems to have borne both the name of Achbor and Abdon. 2 Kings 22:12, achbor, Jeremiah 26:22, Michah, Michaiah, מיכיה [Strong's H4321], as he is named in the parallel passage, is here called מיכה [Strong's H4318], Michah, merely by the omission of יה [Strong's H3050] yah, one of the Divine names.

Asaiah: This variation only exists in the translation; the original being uniformly Asaiah, or rather, Asayah. 2 Kings 22:12, Asahiah

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:30 - Haggiah 2 Chronicles 34:9 - Hilkiah Jeremiah 29:3 - Gemariah Jeremiah 36:11 - Shaphan Jeremiah 40:5 - Ahikam Ezekiel 8:11 - Shaphan

Verse 21

inquire: Exodus 18:15, 1 Samuel 9:9, 1 Kings 22:5-7, Jeremiah 21:2, Ezekiel 14:1-11, Ezekiel 20:1-7

that are left: 2 Chronicles 28:6, 2 Chronicles 33:11, 2 Kings 17:6, 2 Kings 17:7, 2 Kings 22:13, Isaiah 37:2-4, Jeremiah 42:2

great: Leviticus 26:14-46, Deuteronomy 28:15, Deuteronomy 29:18-28, Deuteronomy 30:17-19, Deuteronomy 31:16-22, Deuteronomy 32:15-25, Romans 1:18, Romans 2:8-12, Romans 4:15

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 12:7 - and my wrath 2 Chronicles 29:6 - For our fathers 2 Chronicles 34:24 - all the curses 2 Chronicles 34:26 - as for Ezra 10:3 - of those that Nehemiah 8:9 - all the people Psalms 119:120 - My flesh Jeremiah 26:19 - did he Jeremiah 36:7 - for Lamentations 2:4 - he poured Ezekiel 7:8 - pour Ezekiel 18:14 - that seeth Ezekiel 20:21 - I would Ezekiel 36:18 - I poured Zechariah 1:4 - as

Verse 22

the prophetess: Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, Luke 1:41-45, Luke 2:36, Acts 21:9

Hasrah: Hasrah is most probably a mistake for Harhas; as the Septuagint reads, both here and in the parallel place, סבע, Aras, 2 Kings 22:14; Harhas

wardrobe: Heb. garments

college: or, school, or second part, It is probable that Mishneh was either the name of a street, or a particular part of the city of Jerusalem.

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:9 - Hilkiah Jeremiah 22:11 - Shallum

Verse 23

Tell ye the man: 2 Kings 22:15-20, Jeremiah 21:3-7, Jeremiah 37:7-10

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:26 - as for

Verse 24

I will bring: 2 Chronicles 36:14-20, Joshua 23:16, 2 Kings 21:12, 2 Kings 23:26, 2 Kings 23:27, Isaiah 5:4-6, Jeremiah 6:19, Jeremiah 19:3, Jeremiah 19:15, Jeremiah 35:17, Jeremiah 36:31

all the curses: 2 Chronicles 34:21

Reciprocal: Numbers 5:23 - write these Deuteronomy 31:29 - and evil 2 Kings 22:16 - Behold 2 Chronicles 29:8 - Wherefore 2 Chronicles 34:30 - the book Ezra 5:12 - But after Jeremiah 11:11 - I will bring Jeremiah 36:13 - General

Verse 25

Because: 2 Chronicles 12:2, 2 Chronicles 15:2, 2 Chronicles 33:3-9, 2 Kings 24:3, 2 Kings 24:4, Isaiah 2:8, Isaiah 2:9, Jeremiah 15:1-4

my wrath: Isaiah 42:25, Jeremiah 7:20, Lamentations 2:4, Lamentations 4:11, Nahum 1:6, Revelation 14:10, Revelation 14:11

shall not: 2 Kings 22:17, Jeremiah 4:4, Jeremiah 7:20, Ezekiel 20:48, Mark 9:43-48

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 9:25 - he burnt 2 Kings 22:16 - Behold 2 Chronicles 12:7 - and my wrath 2 Chronicles 29:8 - Wherefore Ezra 5:12 - But after Jeremiah 1:16 - who have Jeremiah 22:9 - General Jeremiah 42:18 - As mine Ezekiel 20:21 - I would Ezekiel 24:8 - it might Micah 6:16 - that Revelation 9:20 - worship

Verse 26

as for: 2 Chronicles 34:21, 2 Chronicles 34:23

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:18 - the king 2 Chronicles 18:4 - Inquire Ezekiel 36:18 - I poured

Verse 27

Because: "Because," says the Targumist, "thy heart was melted, and thou hast humbled thyself in the sight of the word of the Lord, meymra dyya, when thou didst hear His words, yath pithgamoi, against this place." Here meymra, the personal word, is plainly distinguished from pithgam, a word spoken.

thine heart: 2 Chronicles 32:12, 2 Chronicles 32:13, 2 Kings 22:18, 2 Kings 22:19, Psalms 34:18, Psalms 51:17, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2, Ezekiel 9:4, Ezekiel 36:26

humble: 2 Chronicles 32:26, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:19, James 4:6-10

didst rend: 2 Chronicles 34:19, Jeremiah 36:23, Jeremiah 36:24

I have even: Psalms 10:17, Isaiah 65:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:11 - before Exodus 10:3 - humble Deuteronomy 17:20 - his heart 2 Chronicles 30:11 - humbled themselves Ezra 9:4 - trembled Ezra 10:3 - of those that Psalms 119:120 - My flesh Jeremiah 44:10 - are not Micah 6:8 - walk humbly Habakkuk 3:2 - I have Zephaniah 2:3 - all Matthew 5:3 - the poor Luke 4:18 - to heal

Verse 28

I will gather: 2 Chronicles 35:24, 2 Kings 22:20, Isaiah 57:1, Isaiah 57:2, Jeremiah 15:1, Ezekiel 14:14-21

in peace: Psalms 37:37

neither: 1 Kings 21:29, 2 Kings 20:19, Isaiah 39:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:15 - in peace Genesis 44:34 - lest Numbers 20:24 - gathered 2 Chronicles 32:26 - days Isaiah 66:2 - to this Jeremiah 34:5 - But thou Jeremiah 39:6 - before Habakkuk 3:2 - I have Zephaniah 2:3 - all

Verse 29

the king: 1 Samuel 12:23, 1 Chronicles 29:2-9, Mark 14:8

gathered: 2 Chronicles 30:2, 2 Kings 23:1-3

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 29:10 - General Joshua 24:25 - made 1 Chronicles 13:1 - consulted 1 Chronicles 23:2 - he gathered 2 Chronicles 1:2 - to the captains

Verse 30

great and small: Heb. from great even to small, 2 Chronicles 15:12, 2 Chronicles 15:13, 2 Chronicles 18:30, Deuteronomy 1:17, Job 3:19

he read: 2 Chronicles 6:1-11, 2 Chronicles 17:7-9, Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Nehemiah 8:2-5, Ecclesiastes 1:12, Ecclesiastes 12:9, Ecclesiastes 12:10

the book: 2 Chronicles 34:15, 2 Chronicles 34:18, 2 Chronicles 34:19, 2 Chronicles 34:24, Exodus 24:7, 2 Kings 23:2, 2 Kings 23:21, Jeremiah 31:31, Jeremiah 31:32

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 23:1 - the king 1 Chronicles 13:1 - consulted 1 Chronicles 23:2 - he gathered 2 Chronicles 1:2 - to the captains 2 Chronicles 29:10 - to make a covenant Jeremiah 11:10 - turned Jeremiah 34:8 - had Ezekiel 46:10 - General

Verse 31

In his place: Instead of al omdo, "in his place," the parallel passage, 2 Kings 23:3, has al haammood, "by the pillar;" which is probably the true reading, as the LXX in both places read פןם ףפץכןם, "the pillar." 2 Chronicles 6:13, 2 Kings 11:4, 2 Kings 23:3, Ezekiel 46:2

made a covenant: This was expressed:

1. In general, to walk after Jehovah; to have no gods beside him.

2. To take this law for the regulation of their conduct.

3. In particular, to bend their whole heart and soul to the performance of it; so that they might not only have religion without, but piety within. 2 Chronicles 23:16, 2 Chronicles 29:10, Exodus 24:6-8, Deuteronomy 29:1, Deuteronomy 29:10-15, Joshua 24:25, Nehemiah 9:38, Nehemiah 10:29, Jeremiah 50:5, Hebrews 8:6-13

and his testimonies: Psalms 119:111, Psalms 119:112

with all: 2 Chronicles 15:12, 2 Chronicles 15:15, 2 Chronicles 31:21, Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27-29

to perform: Psalms 119:106

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 13:4 - walk Deuteronomy 26:17 - avouched 2 Kings 11:14 - a pillar 2 Kings 11:17 - made a covenant 2 Chronicles 20:5 - Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 23:13 - the king Ezra 10:3 - let us make Psalms 103:18 - To such Jeremiah 11:2 - General Ezekiel 16:59 - which Ezekiel 44:3 - for Ezekiel 46:10 - General

Verse 32

caused: 2 Chronicles 14:4, 2 Chronicles 30:12, 2 Chronicles 33:16, Genesis 18:19, Ecclesiastes 8:2

present: Heb. found, 2 Chronicles 29:29

did: Jeremiah 3:10

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 11:4 - made a covenant 2 Kings 23:3 - stood 2 Chronicles 15:12 - they entered 2 Chronicles 23:16 - made a covenant Ezra 10:3 - let us make Ezekiel 16:59 - which

Verse 33

took away: 2 Chronicles 34:3-7, 2 Kings 23:4-20

the abominations: 1 Kings 11:5-7

all his days: Joshua 24:31, Jeremiah 3:10, Hosea 6:4

from following: Heb. from after

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:18 - following 2 Kings 23:3 - And all 2 Kings 23:7 - the sodomites 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded