2 Kings Chapter 23

Commentary

Josiah Renews the Covenant

(2 Chronicles 34:29-33)

1And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. 3And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

Josiah Destroys Idolatry

(2 Chronicles 34:3-7)

4And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel. 5And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. 6And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. 7And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove. 8And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. 9Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. 10And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech. 11And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. 12And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron. 13And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile. 14And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

15Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove. 16And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words. 17Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel. 18And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria. 19And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel. 20And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.

Josiah Restores the Passover

(2 Chronicles 35:1-19)

21And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant. 22Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; 23But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.

24Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. 25And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.

26Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal. 27And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.

Josiah's Death

(2 Chronicles 35:20-24)

28Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 29In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him. 30And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead.

Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah

(2 Chronicles 36:1-4)

31Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 32And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done. 33And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

34And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there. 35And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh.

Jehoiakim's Evil Reign in Judah

(2 Chronicles 36:5-8)

36Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. 37And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Josiah Renews the Covenant
(2 Chronicles 34:29–33)

1 The king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2 The king went up to the house of Yahweh, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Yahweh. 3 The king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book: and all the people stood to the covenant.

Josiah Destroys Idolatry
(1 Kings 13:1–10; 2 Chronicles 34:3–7)

4 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring forth out of the temple of Yahweh all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the army of the sky, and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. 5 He put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the army of the sky. 6 He brought out the Asherah from the house of Yahweh, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common people. 7 He broke down the houses of the sodomites, that were in the house of Yahweh, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah. 8 He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city. 9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places didn’t come up to the altar of Yahweh in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers. 10 He defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech. 11 He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entrance of the house of Yahweh, by the room of Nathan Melech the officer, who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. 12 The king broke down the altars that were on the roof of the upper room of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of Yahweh, and beat them down from there, and cast their dust into the brook Kidron. 13 The the king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon. 14 He broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the Asherim, and filled their places with the bones of men.

15 Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and beat it to dust, and burned the Asherah. 16 As Josiah turned himself, he spied the tombs that were there in the mountain; and he sent, and took the bones out of the tombs, and burned them on the altar, and defiled it, according to the word of Yahweh which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things. 17 Then he said, “What monument is that which I see?” The men of the city told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God, who came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel.” 18 He said, “Let him be! Let no man move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria. 19 All the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke Yahweh to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel. 20 He killed all the priests of the high places that were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem.

Josiah Restores the Passover
(2 Chronicles 35:1–19)

21 The king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.” 22 Surely there was not kept such a Passover from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; 23 but in the eighteenth year of king Josiah was this Passover kept to Yahweh in Jerusalem.

24 Moreover Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of Yahweh. 25 Like him was there no king before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.

26 Notwithstanding, Yahweh didn’t turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocation with which Manasseh had provoked him. 27 Yahweh said, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city which I have chosen, even Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’”

The Death of Josiah
(2 Chronicles 35:20–24)

28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 29 In his days Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and Pharaoh Necoh killed him at Megiddo, when he had seen him. 30 His servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place.

Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah
(2 Chronicles 36:1–4)

31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 32 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, according to all that his fathers had done. 33 Pharaoh Necoh put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of one hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

34 Pharaoh Necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim: but he took Jehoahaz away; and he came to Egypt, and died there. 35 Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of everyone according to his taxation, to give it to Pharaoh Necoh.

Jehoiakim Reigns in Judah
(2 Chronicles 36:5–8)

36 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. 37 He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, according to all that his fathers had done.

Josiah Renews the Covenant
(2 Chronicles 34:29–33)

1 Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.

3 So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

Josiah Destroys Idolatry
(1 Kings 13:1–10; 2 Chronicles 34:3–7)

4 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.

5 Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

6 He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. 7 He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah.

8 Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He tore down the high places of the gates at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which was to the left of the city gate. 9 Although the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, they ate unleavened bread with their fellow priests.

10 He also desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom a so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire b to Molech. 11 And he removed from the entrance to the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were in the court c near the chamber of an official named Nathan-melech. And Josiah burned up the chariots of the sun.

12 He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had set up on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, and the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there d and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.

13 The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom e the abomination of the Ammonites. 14 He smashed the sacred pillars to pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and covered the sites with human bones.

15 He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned f the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole. 16 And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things. g

17 Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?”

And the men of the city replied, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and pronounced these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel.”

18 “Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.”

So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.

19 Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger. 20 On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

Josiah Restores the Passover
(2 Chronicles 35:1–19)

21 The king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”

22 No such Passover had been observed from the days of the judges who had governed Israel through all the days of the kings of Israel and Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, this Passover was observed to the LORD in Jerusalem.

24 Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.

25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses.

26 Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the fury of His burning anger, which was kindled against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke Him to anger. 27 For the LORD had said, “I will remove Judah from My sight, just as I removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, which I chose, and the temple of which I said, ‘My Name shall be there.’ ”

The Death of Josiah
(2 Chronicles 35:20–24)

28 As for the rest of the acts of Josiah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

29 At the end of Josiah’s reign, Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt marched up to help the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. King Josiah went out to confront him, but Neco faced him and killed him at Megiddo.

30 From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father.

Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah
(2 Chronicles 36:1–4)

31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. 32 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.

33 And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver h and a talent of gold. i 34 Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died.

35 So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth.

Jehoiakim Reigns in Judah
(2 Chronicles 36:5–8)

36 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah. 37 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.

 

Footnotes:

10 a Or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom
10 b Literally could pass his son or daughter through the fire
11 c Hebrew parbarim
12 d Or quickly removed them from there
13 e Milcom  is a variant of Molech ; see Leviticus 18:21 and 1 Kings 11:7.
15 f Hebrew; LXX broke into pieces
16 g See 1 Kings 13:2; Hebrew; LXX includes when Jeroboam stood by the altar at the feast. And he turned and lifted his eyes to the tomb of the man of God.
33 h 100 talents  is approximately 3.77 tons or 3.42 metric tons of silver.
33 i A talent  is approximately 75.4 pounds or 34.2 kilograms of gold.

Josiah Renews the Covenant

(2 Chronicles 34:29-33)

1And the king sendeth, and they gather unto him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, 2and the king goeth up to the house of Jehovah, and every man of Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, from small unto great, and he readeth in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that is found in the house of Jehovah. 3And the king standeth by the pillar, and maketh the covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah, and to keep His commands, and His testimonies, and His statutes, with all the heart, and with all the soul, to establish the words of this covenant that are written on this book, and all the people stand in the covenant.

Josiah Destroys Idolatry

(2 Chronicles 34:3-7)

4And the king commandeth Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out from the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that are made for Baal, and for the shrine, and for all the host of the heavens, and he burneth them at the outside of Jerusalem, in the fields of Kidron, and hath borne their ashes to Beth-El. 5And he hath caused to cease the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah have appointed, (and they make perfume in high places, in cities of Judah and suburbs of Jerusalem,) and those making perfume to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of the heavens. 6And he bringeth out the shrine from the house of Jehovah to the outside of Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burneth it at the brook Kidron, and beateth it small to dust, and casteth its dust on the grave of the sons of the people. 7And he breaketh down the houses of the whoremongers that are in the house of Jehovah, where the women are weaving houses for the shrine. 8And he bringeth in all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defileth the high places where the priests have made perfume, from Geba unto Beer-Sheba, and hath broken down the high places of the gates that are at the opening of the gate of Joshua, head of the city, that is on a man's left hand at the gate of the city; 9only, the priests of the high places come not up unto the altar of Jehovah in Jerusalem, but they have eaten unleavened things in the midst of their brethren. 10And he hath defiled Topheth, that is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, so that no man doth cause his son and his daughter to pass over through fire to Molech. 11And he causeth to cease the horses that the kings of Judah have given to the sun from the entering in of the house of Jehovah, by the chamber of Nathan-Melech the eunuch, that is in the suburbs, and the chariots of the sun he hath burnt with fire. 12And the altars that are on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, that the kings of Judah made, and the altars that Manasseh made in the two courts of the house of Jehovah, hath the king broken down, and removeth thence, and hath cast their dust unto the brook Kidron. 13And the high places that are on the front of Jerusalem, that are on the right of the mount of corruption, that Solomon king of Israel had built to Ashtoreth abomination of the Zidonians, and Chemosh abomination of Moab, and to Milcom abomination of the sons of Ammon, hath the king defiled. 14And he hath broken in pieces the standing-pillars, and cutteth down the shrines, and filleth their place with bones of men;

15and also the altar that is in Beth-El, the high place that Jeroboam son of Nebat made, by which he made Israel sin, both that altar and the high place he hath broken down, and doth burn the high place -- he hath beat it small to dust, and hath burnt the shrine. 16And Josiah turneth, and seeth the graves that are there in the mount, and sendeth and taketh the bones out of the graves, and burneth them on the altar, and defileth it, according to the word of Jehovah that the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things. 17And he saith, 'What is this sign that I see?' and the men of the city say unto him, 'The grave of the man of God who hath come from Judah, and proclaimeth these things that thou hast done concerning the altar of Beth-El.' 18And he saith, 'Let him alone, let no man touch his bones;' and they let his bones escape, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria. 19And also all the houses of the high places that are in the cities of Samaria, that the kings of Israel made to provoke to anger, hath Josiah turned aside, and doth to them according to all the deeds that he did in Beth-El. 20And he slayeth all the priests of the high places who are there by the altars, and burneth the bones of man upon them, and turneth back to Jerusalem.

Josiah Restores the Passover

(2 Chronicles 35:1-19)

21And the king commandeth the whole of the people, saying, 'Make ye a passover to Jehovah your God, as it is written on this book of the covenant.' 22Surely there hath not been made like this passover from the days of the judges who judged Israel, even all the days of the kings of Israel, and of the kings of Judah; 23but in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, hath this passover been made to Jehovah in Jerusalem.

24And also, those having familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah, and in Jerusalem, hath Josiah put away, in order to establish the words of the law that are written on the book that Hilkiah the priest hath found in the house of Jehovah. 25And like him there hath not been before him a king who turned back unto Jehovah with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses, and after him there hath none risen like him.

26Only, Jehovah hath not turned back from the fierceness of His great anger with which His anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh provoked him, 27and Jehovah saith, 'Also Judah I turn aside from my presence, as I turned Israel aside, and I have rejected this city that I have chosen -- Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name is there.'

Josiah's Death

(2 Chronicles 35:20-24)

28And the rest of the matters of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written on the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah? 29In his days hath Pharaoh-Nechoh king of Egypt come up against the king of Asshur, by the river Phrat, and king Josiah goeth out to meet him, and he putteth him to death in Megiddo, when he seeth him. 30And his servants cause him to ride dying from Megiddo, and bring him in to Jerusalem, and bury him in his own grave, and the people of the land take Jehoahaz son of Josiah, and anoint him, and cause him to reign instead of his father.

Jehoahaz Succeeds Josiah

(2 Chronicles 36:1-4)

31A son of twenty and three years is Jehoahaz in his reigning, and three months he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother is Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah, 32and he doth the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his fathers did, 33and Pharaoh-Nechoh bindeth him in Riblah, in the land of Hamath, from reigning in Jerusalem, and he putteth a fine on the land -- a hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

34And Pharaoh-Nechoh causeth Eliakim son of Josiah to reign instead of Josiah his father, and turneth his name to Jehoiakim, and Jehoahaz he hath taken away, and he cometh in to Egypt, and dieth there. 35And the silver and the gold hath Jehoiakim given to Pharaoh; only he valued the land to give the silver by the command of Pharaoh; from each, according to his valuation, he exacted the silver and the gold, from the people of the land, to give to Pharaoh-Nechoh.

Jehoiakim's Evil Reign in Judah

(2 Chronicles 36:5-8)

36A son of twenty and five years is Jehoiakim in his reigning, and eleven years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother is Zebudah daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah, 37and he doth the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that his fathers did.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 2 Kings 23?
2Introduction to 2 Kings 23
3Context of 2 Kings 23
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
62 Kings 23 Unique Insights
72 Kings 23 Connections to Yeshua
82 Kings 23 Scriptural Echoes
92 Kings 23 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of 2 Kings 23?

Introduction to 2 Kings 23

2 Kings 23 stands as one of the most significant chapters in biblical history, chronicling King Josiah’s unprecedented religious reforms in Judah. This remarkable narrative showcases the most extensive reformation in Israel’s history before the exile, demonstrating how one leader’s devotion to Yahweh could transform an entire nation. The chapter provides a detailed account of how Josiah implemented the rediscovered Book of the Law, systematically purging idolatry and restoring proper worship of Yahweh throughout the land.

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Context of 2 Kings 23

This pivotal chapter follows the dramatic discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple during its renovation (2 Kings 22). Upon hearing its contents, Josiah had torn his clothes in distress, recognizing how far Judah had strayed from Yahweh’s commands. The prophetess Huldah had confirmed that judgment was coming, but because of Josiah’s humble response, it would be delayed until after his death.

Within the broader biblical narrative, this chapter represents the last major attempt to return Judah to covenant faithfulness before the Babylonian exile. It serves as a powerful illustration of genuine repentance and reform, while simultaneously foreshadowing the ultimate failure of human efforts to maintain covenant loyalty without inner transformation. The chapter’s position near the end of Kings underscores both the possibility of revival and the inevitability of judgment without heart change.

This account parallels 2 Chronicles 34 and 35, though with different emphases and chronological arrangements. The reforms described here would influence later Jewish history and set patterns for spiritual renewal that would resonate throughout Scripture.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Covenant (בְּרִית, berith): The word appears prominently in verse 3, describing Josiah’s public commitment to Yahweh. This term carried deep significance in ancient Near Eastern culture, representing not just a contract but a binding relationship with mutual obligations. In this context, it emphasized the renewal of Israel’s special relationship with Yahweh established at Sinai.
  • Reform (תִּקּוּן, tikkun): Though not explicitly used in the Hebrew text, this concept underlies the entire chapter. The various actions described use words meaning “to purge,” “to cleanse,” and “to restore,” all contributing to the comprehensive nature of Josiah’s reforms. This vocabulary cluster emphasizes the thorough nature of true spiritual renovation.
  • High Places (בָּמוֹת, bamot): These elevated worship sites, mentioned multiple times throughout the chapter, were deeply ingrained in Canaanite religious practice. Their destruction represented a decisive break with syncretistic worship practices that had plagued Israel for centuries.
  • Defile (טָמֵא, tame): Used repeatedly in the chapter, this term carries ritual and moral significance. Josiah’s act of defiling pagan sites involved making them ceremonially unclean and therefore unusable for worship, often by spreading human bones across them.
  • Passover (פֶּסַח, pesach): The celebration described in verse 21 represents the most significant observance of this feast since the days of the judges. The word carries connotations of divine protection and national identity.
  • Book of the Covenant (סֵפֶר הַבְּרִית, sefer ha-berith): This phrase in verse 2 likely refers to Deuteronomy or a portion thereof. The term emphasizes the written nature of God’s revelation and its authority over the nation.
  • Turned (שׁוּב, shuv): This verb, describing Josiah’s whole-hearted return to Yahweh, is the standard Hebrew term for repentance. It implies both a turning away from sin and a turning toward God.
  • Altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): The repeated references to altars throughout the chapter emphasize the centralization of worship at Jerusalem’s temple, a key aspect of Deuteronomic reform.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 3‘s description of Josiah standing “by the pillar” uses the specific term הָעַמּוּד (ha-ammud) rather than other Hebrew words for pillar or post. This choice emphasizes the ceremonial and official nature of the location, likely referring to one of the two pillars (Jachin and Boaz) at the temple entrance where kings traditionally made proclamations.
  • The phrase “with all his heart and all his soul and all his might” in verse 25 deliberately echoes the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:5, using identical Hebrew terminology (בְכָל־לְבָבוֹ וּבְכָל־נַפְשׁוֹ וּבְכָל־מְאֹדוֹ) to show Josiah as the embodiment of ideal devotion to Yahweh.
  • The description of destroying the high places uses the verb נָתַץ (natatz, “break down”) rather than softer terms, emphasizing the violent and complete nature of the destruction required for true reform.
  • The account of the Passover celebration specifically uses the term עָשָׂה (asah, “made” or “performed”) rather than חָגַג (chagag, “celebrated”), emphasizing the careful attention to proper ritual procedure rather than mere festivity.
  • The text uses the strong term הִשְׁבִּית (hishbit, “caused to cease”) regarding the removal of mediums and necromancers, indicating complete elimination rather than mere restriction of their activities.

2 Kings 23 Unique Insights

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The chapter contains several remarkable theological and historical insights that often go unnoticed. First, the text presents Josiah’s reforms as a fulfillment of prophecy spoken hundreds of years earlier. The specific mention of the altar at Bethel and its destruction validates the prophecy given in 1 Kings 13, demonstrating God’s sovereignty over history and the reliability of His word.

The Talmud (Megillah 14a) notes that Huldah the prophetess, mentioned in the previous chapter, was consulted despite Jeremiah being active at the time. This suggests the important role of women in spiritual leadership when they were properly aligned with God’s word. The rabbis teach that Huldah’s prophetic office near the Temple’s “Second Gate” represented an additional entry point for those seeking divine wisdom, particularly women.

The unprecedented nature of Josiah’s Passover celebration points to deeper spiritual significance. Early Jewish commentators noted that this Passover was unique because it combined proper ritual observance with genuine spiritual renewal, something rarely achieved in Israel’s history. The Midrash Rabbah suggests that this celebration was particularly meaningful because it represented a return to the original Egyptian Passover’s spirit of national deliverance and covenant renewal.

The description of Josiah’s reforms includes the destruction of the תָּרְפִים (teraphim), household gods that had become deeply embedded in Israelite culture. Archaeological discoveries from this period confirm the prevalence of these items, showing how thorough and culturally disruptive Josiah’s reforms truly were.

2 Kings 23 Connections to Yeshua

Josiah’s reforms prefigure the Messiah’s work in several significant ways. Just as Josiah cleansed the temple and restored proper worship, Yeshua would later cleanse the temple (Matthew 21:12-13) and establish true worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).

The chapter’s emphasis on covenant renewal anticipates the New Covenant that Yeshua would establish. Josiah’s public reading of the Law and commitment to its observance points forward to the Messiah’s perfect fulfillment of the Law and His writing it on believers’ hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The Passover celebration described here foreshadows the Last Supper and Yeshua’s role as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).

2 Kings 23 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected themes. The reforms echo Solomon’s dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8) and Hezekiah’s earlier reforms (2 Kings 18). The emphasis on covenant renewal parallels Joshua’s ceremony at Shechem (Joshua 24).

The theme of purifying worship anticipates Ezra and Nehemiah’s post-exilic reforms and ultimately points to the spiritual renewal promised in Ezekiel 36:25-27. The chapter’s emphasis on the written word’s authority foreshadows the New Testament’s focus on Scripture’s power to transform lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

2 Kings 23 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own commitment to spiritual renewal. Josiah’s response to God’s word was immediate and thorough – he didn’t delay or partially implement reforms. This prompts us to consider: How do we respond when confronted with biblical truth that demands change in our lives?

The account reminds us that genuine reform often requires decisive action against sin. Just as Josiah physically destroyed idolatrous objects, we must be willing to eliminate anything that hinders our relationship with God. This might involve changing habits, relationships, or priorities that compete with our devotion to Him.

Josiah’s reforms, while impressive, couldn’t prevent Judah’s eventual judgment, teaching us that external compliance must be accompanied by heart transformation. This points to our need for the inner work of the Holy Spirit and the importance of cultivating genuine faith rather than mere religious observance.

Did You Know

  • Archaeological evidence from Josiah’s time reveals a sudden decrease in pagan religious artifacts throughout Judah, confirming the biblical account of his reforms.
  • The reformation’s timing coincided with the decline of Assyrian power, providing a political window that allowed Josiah to extend his reforms into the former Northern Kingdom.
  • The mention of the “horses of the sun” (verse 11) reflects Egyptian religious influence, as the sun god Ra was often depicted riding across the sky in a chariot.
  • The Kidron Valley, where Josiah burned pagan objects, was considered unclean ground and later became a common burial place, making it particularly suitable for disposing of idolatrous items.
  • The specific mention of “baking cakes for the queen of heaven” refers to the worship of Ishtar, a practice that continued among some Jewish women even in exile (Jeremiah 44:19).
  • Josiah’s death at Megiddo occurred at a crucial geographic crossroads, where many decisive battles in ancient Near Eastern history were fought.
  • The Passover celebration described here is the only one specifically dated in the books of Kings, highlighting its exceptional significance.
  • Recent archaeological discoveries have uncovered evidence of destroyed shrines and altars from this period, aligning with the biblical account of Josiah’s reforms.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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