2 Chronicles 34
Meaning of 2 Chronicles 34
2 Chronicles 34 is a chapter from the Old Testament in the Bible. This chapter tells the story of Josiah, who reigned as king over Jerusalem for 31 years. Josiah began his reign at a very young age of eight, and the chapter notes that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his forefather David.
The chapter first details Josiah’s actions of purifying Judah and Jerusalem by removing pagan idolatry. He ordered the destruction of all idols, shrines, and other objects related to pagan worship. A major renovation of the Temple is also launched during Josiah’s reign to repair the neglect it had suffered.
The book of the Law of Moses, which had been lost, is found during the Temple renovation. When it’s read to him, King Josiah tears his clothes in remorse and mourning because the people have not been following the Law. He sends his advisors to consult a prophetess named Huldah, who informed them that God intends to bring disaster to their place because of the people’s neglect of His laws.
However, because Josiah has responded with humility, God promises he will not see the disaster inflicted during his reign. The chapter ends by noting that Josiah reintroduced the Passover, the great Jewish festival, which hadn’t been observed in such a grand scale since the days of the prophet Samuel.
In summary, 2 Chronicles 34 tells of King Josiah’s religious reforms, his rediscovery of the Law, the prophecy of an impending disaster, and the faithfulness of Josiah to the Lord.
2 Chronicles 34 kjv
2 Chronicles 34 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically within the section of Chronicles which covers the time period of the kings of Israel and Judah.
Here is a summary of 2 Chronicles 34, in accordance to King James Version (KJV):
The chapter begins with King Josiah taking the throne of Judah at a young age. Josiah was regarded as a righteous king; he sought after God, destroyed idols and the places in which they were worshiped, and encouraged the practice of monotheism.
In his twelfth year of reign, Josiah began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, Asherim, carved and metal images. He grounded the bones of the priests on their altars as a way to defile them and to only leave the altar of God untainted. He did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, as far as Naphtali.
In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah began repair works on the House of the Lord his God. Money was collected from the people of Judah and Jerusalem to pay the workmen and artisans who were repairing the temple.
During this renovation, Hilkiah the High Priest found the Book of the Law (most scholars believe this to be all or part of Deuteronomy). When King Josiah heard what was written in the book, he tore his clothes, a sign of distress and repentance.
Josiah sent his servants to Huldah the Prophetess to enquire about the words of the book. She told them that God was going to bring disaster to Judah because the people had abandoned Him, but because Josiah had been humble and receptive to God’s words, this disaster would not occur during his reign
Josiah then held a meeting in Jerusalem. The Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses was read to everyone – the leaders, the people, whether they were small or great. Josiah renewed the covenant before God – to follow the Lord, to keep his commandments with all his heart and soul, and to perform the words written in the covenant which were read out loud.
After this, he ensured that everyone in Judah and Benjamin abided by the words of the covenant. As long as Josiah lived, the people did not stray from following God. Josiah also put away necromancers and household idols, all the abominations in Judah and Jerusalem, and made everyone in Israel to serve God.
The chapter ends by noting that there had been no king like Josiah who had turned to God with all his heart, soul, and might, and that despite this, God’s wrath remained on Judah for the actions of previous generations. It also mentions Josiah’s death in a battle with the Egyptians.
2 Chronicles 34 nkjv
2 Chronicles Chapter 34 in the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible tells the story of King Josiah, who becomes king of Judah at the young age of eight and reigns for 31 years in Jerusalem.
The chapter emphasizes Josiah’s good and righteous character, in the sight of God, as he walks in the ways of his ancestor King David, not deviating to the right or the left.
Specifically, under Josiah’s rule, the country undergoes religious reform. He begins this work in the 8th year of his reign, at the age of 16, when he starts seeking the God of David. At the age of 20, in the 12th year of his reign, Josiah begins to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherim, carved idols, and cast images from the temple. He orders the repair of the Lord’s temple in the 18th year of his reign.
During the process of repairing the temple, Hilkiah the high priest finds the “Book of the Law” (likely the book of Deuteronomy) in the house of the Lord. When King Josiah hears the words of the Law, he tears his clothes to show his sorrow for the people’s disobedience, and instructs Hilkiah and others to enquire of the Lord.
A prophetess named Huldah is consulted who prophesies disaster for the people of Judah because they have abandoned God. However, because of Josiah’s humility and repentance, God promises that this disaster will not occur during Josiah’s lifetime.
In response, Josiah gathers all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem and reads to them the entire Book of the covenant. He renews the covenant and makes a promise before God to follow him and obey his commands. All the people stand by the covenant.
While his reforms do not permanently turn the people of Judah back to God, Josiah is remembered as a king who did right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the example of his ancestor David.
2 Chronicles 34 niv
2 Chronicles 34, in the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, describes the reign of Josiah in Judah.
1-2: Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.
3-7: This section describes how Josiah began to seek after the God of David his father. He ordered the purification of Judah and Jerusalem by removing all the high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images. His workers extensively cleaned the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon all the way to Naphtali.
8-13: In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Huldah, he orders a repair of the house of the LORD. A large number of workers and overseers are hired to do this work, funded by the freewill offerings of God’s people.
14-19: During the repair, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law given through Moses. Shaphan the scribe brought the book to Josiah and read it out loud. Hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his robes in distress as he realized how severely the people had not been following it.
20-28: Josiah asked Huldah the prophetess about the words of the book. Huldah prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem because the people had abandoned God and his Law, but she also promised that Josiah will pass away in peace before witnessing these calamities.
29-33: Towards the end, Josiah assembled all the people and read out the book of law to them and renewed the covenant with the Lord. He commanded everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin to obey the commands of God. His efforts resulted in a temporary religious revival in Judah. As long as Josiah lived, the people kept the Passover and other feasts and did not stray away from following the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
What is 2 Chronicles 34 all about?
2 Chronicles 34 is a chapter in the Bible that describes the reign of King Josiah, who became king of Judah at the age of eight and ruled for 31 years. The chapter highlights Josiah’s religious reforms and his commitment to the God of Israel.
The chapter begins with a description of Josiah’s early years as king, during which he took a firm stand against the idolatrous practices of his predecessors. He ordered the removal and destruction of altars to foreign gods, and the idols and asherah poles from the temple of the Lord.
In the 12th year of his reign, Josiah initiates a restoration of the temple of the Lord. In the course of this restoration, the High Priest Hilkiah discovers the Book of the Law (believed to be the Book of Deuteronomy or a portion of it). When this book is read to Josiah, he tears his clothes in distress, recognizing how far the people of Judah had strayed from God’s commands.
Josiah then sends a delegation to consult the prophetess Huldah, who prophecies that God will bring disaster on Judah and Jerusalem, but because of Josiah’s humility and repentance, this will not happen during his reign.
Upon receiving this prophecy, Josiah gathers all the people of Judah and Jerusalem and reads to them the entire Book of the Covenant. The people then renew their covenant with God, promising to follow God and keep his commandments.
The chapter concludes with further descriptions of Josiah’s reforms, including his efforts to remove all the detestable idols from all the territories that belonged to the Israelites, and his celebration of the Passover, which had not been observed like this since the days of Samuel the prophet.
Throughout the chapter, Josiah is depicted as a king who sought to honor and obey God throughout his reign, and his actions symbolize a high point in the spiritual life of Judah.
What does 2 Chronicles 34 teaches?
2 Chronicles 34 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible or the Hebrew Bible. It primarily tells the story of Josiah, who became king of Judah at a young age. Here are the key teachings from the chapter:
1. Reverence for God: Despite his young age and potential to be swayed by others’ influence, Josiah showed remarkable faithfulness to God. He removed all the idols and other forms of worship that were contrary to God’s commandments. This shows us that one should have complete devotion and respect for God.
2. Commitment to God’s Laws: In his 18th year of reign, Josiah initiated a religious reform where he ordered the repair of the Lord’s temple. During this repair, a scroll of the Law was discovered. Josiah, after hearing the words of the Law, was deeply moved and realized the extent to which his people have strayed from God’s commandments. This shows the importance of always referring back to God’s Word and aligning oneself to His teachings.
3. Repentance and Humility: Upon realizing their disobedience, Josiah tore his clothes in distress, a sign of repentance and humility in the culture of the time. He thus sent a delegation to seek the Lord’s will. The Prophetess Huldah prophesied God’s wrath, but she also prophesied that Josiah would die in peace because of his repentant heart. This teaches us about God’s forgiveness towards a humble and repentant heart.
4. Leadership: Josiah, once enlightened, did not keep the information to himself, but gathered the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, and together they renewed the covenant in the Lord’s presence. Josiah’s leadership in reforming his nation according to God’s laws teaches us about the responsibility of leaders to lead their people in uprightness and justice.
5. Faithful obedience: Josiah’s actions reflect his total commitment to strictly adhere to the instructions and laws of God as written in the book of the covenant, to the extent that he even abolished practices that were deeply rooted in the culture at the time, but were contrary to God’s laws. This obedience brought about a period of peace and prosperity in Judah.
In summary, 2 Chronicles 34 teaches on reverence to God, return to His laws, the importance of repentance and humility, obligation of a good leadership, and the blessings of faithfully obeying God’s commands.
A Sermon on 2 Chronicles 34
In 2 Chronicles 34, we find the story of Josiah, who became the king of Judah at just eight years of age. Despite his youth, he distinguished himself as an outstanding leader. The text says he did “what was right in the eyes of the Lord” and followed in the footsteps of his ancestor, David, refusing to deviate to the left or right.
Let’s break down a sermon based on this chapter into five sections.
1. Childlike Commitment: Despite assuming the throne at such a young age, Josiah stands out for his commitment to God (Verse 1-2). This section can focus on the importance of early grounding in faith and commitment to God’s commands, regardless of age or position.
2. Purifying the Land: At the age of 16, Josiah began to purify Judah and Jerusalem of its high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images (Verse 3-5). This teaches us about the importance of cleansing our personal life, family, and community from anything that does not align with God’s rules. It underlines the idea that a good relationship with God requires a break from bad traditions and practices.
3. Rebuilding God’s Temple: Josiah embarked on restoration of the Lord’s temple (Verse 8-13). It reinforces that whenever there is purification, restoration follows. This could mean rebuilding lives, relationships, or faith communities based on God’s word.
4. Rediscovered Law: As the temple was being restored, the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law of the Lord given through Moses (Verse 14-20), which had been lost or neglected. This would underscore the urgency and joy of rediscovering God’s word in our lives, reminding us that God’s word is alive, active and transformative.
5. Humility and Worship: Josiah’s response to the rediscovered law was one of remorse and humility (Verse 21-33). This exhibits a profound understanding that true worship comes from a place of humility and obedience. Josiah went on to lead the people in renewing the covenant with God.
Thus, the sermon on 2 Chronicles 34 could emphasize the themes of commitment to God, purification of life and community, restoration, rediscovery of God’s word, and humble worship. It’s about transformation and renewal under godly leadership. Josiah represents the possibility of change and turning back to God, regardless of how far a person or a nation may have drifted.
Key people in 2 Chronicles 34
1. King Josiah: He is the main person mentioned in 2 Chronicles 34. Josiah became king of Judah when he was eight years old, and his reign lasted thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked the paths of his ancestor David.
2. Hilkiah: He was the high priest who found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord during the time of repairs to the Temple. He gave the book to the secretary, Shaphan, who read it to King Josiah.
3. Shaphan: He was the king’s secretary who communicated the discovery of the Book of the Law to King Josiah. He then read the discovered book to him.
4. Huldah the Prophetess: She was a prophetess whom the king sent his advisors to for insight after the Book of the Law was found. She confirmed the words of the book and prophesied that God was going to bring calamity to Judah and its citizens because they had turned away from Him. However, she also prophesied that King Josiah would be spared from seeing the disaster because his heart was responsive and humble before God.
5. King Josiah’s servants: They were messengers or committee sent by King Josiah to Prophetess Huldah after the book was found to seek understanding on the words of the book discovered.
These people hold key roles in interpreting the significance of the Book of the Law discovery and the spiritual reforms that King Josiah implemented as a result.
Real world examples on 2 Chronicles 34
In 2 Chronicles 34, we see the story of King Josiah who becomes king of Judah at the young age of 8. He is known for his reforms and his devotion to the Lord. Here are some real-world examples or lessons that can be derived from this chapter:
1. **Leadership at a Young Age:** Josiah ascending to the throne at such a young age is similar to instances in the real world where young individuals end up in leadership roles. This could be a young entrepreneur starting their own company, or a young person taking over family business due to unforeseen circumstances. The key takeaway is that age is not a barrier to leadership and great things can be achieved regardless of age.
2. **Importance of Good Mentorship:** The Bible doesn’t detail who guided Josiah in his early years, but his piety and reformative actions indicate he must have had good mentors around him. In our world, having a good mentor is also invaluable, especially when stepping into new roles or challenges.
3. **Reforms in Society:** Josiah is known for purging his kingdom of idols and false gods, returning his people to the worship of the Lord. This can be seen as a parallel to modern reform movements that seek to eradicate harmful practices, corruption or outdated laws and replacing them with something better for society.
4. **Rediscovering the Law:** When the Book of Law is discovered in the temple, it leads to a spiritual revival among the people. This is similar to situations in the real world where rediscovering old wisdom, traditions or historical documents can bring about renewed interest and understanding of our heritage and values.
5. **Acknowledging Past Mistakes:** Upon hearing the contents of the discovered book, Josiah acknowledges the sins of his forefathers and takes steps to correct them. This is comparable to countries or corporations that acknowledge their past wrongdoings and take strides to offer reparations or to not repeat past mistakes.
These examples show that although 2 Chronicles 34 is a historical and religious text, the principles and stories within it can still be applied to modern day situations.
Brief Explanation of 2 Chronicles 34
2 Chronicles 34 is a chapter in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament, that narrates the reign of King Josiah, who ascended to the throne of Judah when he was just eight years old. This chapter emphasizes King Josiah’s commitment to religious reforms, his dedication to purifying Judah and Jerusalem from idolatry and false worship.
Josiah, being serious in his devotion to God, orders a restoration of the Temple of the Lord – which had been ignored and fallen into disrepair. During this renovation, a copy of the Book of the Law given by Moses is discovered. Shocked by the violations of the Law, Josiah tears his robes as a sign of remorse and sends his advisors to seek guidance from the prophetess Huldah.
Huldah prophesies the coming downfall of Jerusalem due to the people’s disobedience but assures Josiah he will experience peace due to his humble and repentant heart. This leads to Josiah initiating a religious revival throughout the kingdom, reinstating the Passover, and reviving the principles which had been ignored for so long.
2 Chronicles 34, ultimately, showcases the courageous and far-reaching religious reform carried out by king Josiah despite the pervasive idolatry and paganism entrenched deeply in the kingdom.
Frequently asked questions for 2 Chronicles 34
1. Who was Josiah and how is he described in 2 Chronicles 34?
Josiah, also known as King Josiah of Judah, was a significant biblical figure who undertook great religious reforms to bring the nation back to the worship of God. In 2 Chronicles 34, he is described as a righteous and God-fearing king, who began reigning at a young age.
2. What were Josiah’s major religious reforms as described in 2 Chronicles 34?
Josiah is said to have purged Judah and Jerusalem of idols, Asherah poles (symbols or places of worship for the Canaanite goddess Asherah), and carved images. He tore down the high places (alternative places of worship), alters, and other objects related to idol worship.
3. What is the Book of the Law found in the Temple, and what was its significance?
The Book of the Law found during the renovation of the Temple was the Torah or the first five books of the Old Testament, possibly Deuteronomy, containing God’s laws given to Moses. Its discovery led Josiah to further his religious reforms out of a renewed understanding of the covenant between God and the Israelites.
4. How did Josiah react after the Book of the Law was found and read to him?
Josiah was devastated upon hearing the words of the Book of the Law, as he recognized how disobedient the people of Judah had been to the laws of God. Consequently, he ordered for the Covenant to be renewed, committing the people to the observed laws written in the Book of the Law.
5. Who was Huldah, and what role does she play in 2 Chronicles 34?
Huldah was a prophetess in Jerusalem. When Josiah realized the gravity of God’s wrath due to the people’s disobedience, he sought advice from Huldah. She confirmed the impending judgment but also comforted Josiah by saying that he would die in peace without seeing the disaster because of his humility and repentance.
Please note that interpretations can slightly vary based on different interpretations and translations of the Bible.
Possible References for 2 Chronicles 34
2 Chronicles 34 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that recounts the reign of King Josiah, who ruled the Southern Kingdom of Judah in the 7th century BC. Key events and references in this chapter can include:
1. Josiah’s Religious Reforms (2 Chronicles 34:3-7): The text narrates how Josiah purges the land of idolatry, destroyed places of pagan worship and altars, overthrowing the worship of false gods. This could reference to the monotheistic push in Judaism at this time, showing the importance of following only the god of Israel.
2. Discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Chronicles 34:14-19): The high priest Hilkiah discovered a “Book of the Law” during the renovation of the temple. It’s widely believed this book was either Deuteronomy or a composite of the books of Moses, thus this serves as a direct reference to these crucial texts in the Bible.
3. Prophetic Warnings and Repentance (2 Chronicles 34:21-28): After reading the Book of the Law, Josiah consults the prophetess Huldah, who warns of God’s judgment due to the sins of the people, but also comforts Josiah by guaranteeing peace during his reign. This shows the importance of obedience to God’s word and the role of prophets in the Bible.
4. Covenant Renewal (2 Chronicles 34:29-33): Finally, Josiah gathers all the people and renews the covenant with God, vowing to follow the commandments in the Book of the Law. This reestablishes the significance of the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites.
These are the central references, although further ones can be perceived depending on interpretative traditions and individual readers.
Conclusion on 2 Chronicles 34
In 2 Chronicles 34, King Josiah, who began his reign over Judah at a young age, is depicted as a just and righteous king. Even at a young age, he was given to the worship of God and worked hard to restore Judah to the Mosaic Law by purging the country of any forms of idolatry.
The conclusion of this chapter deals with the significant discovery of the Book of the Law (often assumed to be part of the Pentateuch, possibly Deuteronomy) during the restoration of the Temple. When the book is brought and read to Josiah, he tears his clothes — a sign of distress and mourning — as he realizes that previous generations, including his ancestors, have not been following the ways outlined in the book.
Josiah’s response to the reading demonstrates his humility and fear of God. He instructs the high priest, Hilkiah, along with other officials, to inquire of the prophetess Huldah concerning the words of the Book of the Law. The prophetess delivers a divine message of impending judgment upon Judah, but also offers hope as Josiah will not see this destruction because of his humility and commitment to God.
The conclusion of 2 Chronicles 34 then presents King Josiah’s leadership to guide his people back to the commandments of God. He calls for assembly and reads out the words of the Book of the Law to the people of Judah and makes a public covenant before God to follow His commandments, urging the people to do the same.
This chapter concludes by highlighting the changes Josiah implemented, which covered religious practices and social reforms based on the Book of the Law, indicating the kind of impact a faithful and righteous leadership could have on a nation’s spiritual revival. However, it is acknowledged that the nation’s early transgressions meant that God’s wrath and the announced penalties were inevitable. Despite all of Josiah’s reforms, that judgment could not be turned away.
Thus, the conclusion of this chapter emphasizes the importance of faithful leadership, adhering to God’s laws, and the consequences of past sins.