2 Chronicles 34:27
Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
יַ֠עַן
H3282
יַ֠עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
רַךְ
was tender
H7401
רַךְ
was tender
Strong's:
H7401
Word #:
2 of 26
to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively
לְבָ֨בְךָ֜
Because thine heart
H3824
לְבָ֨בְךָ֜
Because thine heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
3 of 26
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וַתִּכָּנַ֣ע
and thou didst humble
H3665
וַתִּכָּנַ֣ע
and thou didst humble
Strong's:
H3665
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
לְפָנָ֑י
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֑י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 26
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 26
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי
me I have even heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי
me I have even heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 26
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרָיו֙
his words
H1697
דְּבָרָיו֙
his words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 26
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמָּק֤וֹם
against this place
H4725
הַמָּק֤וֹם
against this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יֹ֣שְׁבָ֔יו
and against the inhabitants
H3427
יֹ֣שְׁבָ֔יו
and against the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
14 of 26
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וַתִּכָּנַ֣ע
and thou didst humble
H3665
וַתִּכָּנַ֣ע
and thou didst humble
Strong's:
H3665
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
לְפָנָ֑י
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֑י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
16 of 26
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַתִּקְרַ֥ע
me and didst rend
H7167
וַתִּקְרַ֥ע
me and didst rend
Strong's:
H7167
Word #:
17 of 26
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְפָנָ֑י
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֑י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
21 of 26
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
22 of 26
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Cross References
2 Chronicles 32:26Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.Isaiah 65:24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.Isaiah 66:2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.Isaiah 57:15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.Psalms 51:17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.Psalms 34:18The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.Psalms 10:17LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:Ezekiel 9:4And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.2 Chronicles 34:19And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.2 Chronicles 33:12And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
Historical Context
When the Law scroll was discovered during temple renovation (622 BCE), its reading revealed how far Judah had strayed from covenant. Josiah's immediate, emotional response contrasted with his predecessors' indifference, demonstrating true fear of God and love for His Word.
Questions for Reflection
- How tender is your heart when reading Scripture that exposes sin or pronounces judgment?
- What would it look like to respond to God's Word with Josiah's level of humility and brokenness?
Analysis & Commentary
God's message to Josiah through the prophetess Huldah reveals the power of responsive hearts: 'Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.' The 'tender heart' (rakh lev) contrasts with hardened hearts that resist God's Word. Josiah's response to Scripture reading - humbling, tearing clothes, weeping - demonstrated genuine brokenness over sin. God's response 'I have heard thee' shows He responds to humble contrition. Though judgment on Judah was inevitable, Josiah's tender response brought personal mercy.