2 Chronicles 34:3

Authorized King James Version

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבִשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה
H8083
For in the eighth
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#2
שָׁנָ֗ה
H8141
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#3
לְמָלְכ֗וֹ
H4427
of his reign
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
#4
וְהוּא֙
H1931
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#5
עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ
H5750
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#6
נַ֔עַר
H5288
while he was yet young
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
#7
הֵחֵל֙
H2490
he began
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#8
לִדְר֕וֹשׁ
H1875
to seek
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#9
לֵֽאלֹהֵ֖י
H430
after the God
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
#10
דָּוִ֣יד
H1732
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#11
אָבִ֑יו
H1
his father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#12
וּבִשְׁתֵּ֧ים
H8147
and in the twelfth
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
#13
עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה
H6240
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#14
שָׁנָ֗ה
H8141
year
a year (as a revolution of time)
#15
הֵחֵל֙
H2490
he began
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#16
לְטַהֵ֔ר
H2891
to purge
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
#17
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
יְהוּדָה֙
H3063
Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#19
וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
H3389
and Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#20
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#21
הַבָּמוֹת֙
H1116
from the high places
an elevation
#22
וְהָ֣אֲשֵׁרִ֔ים
H842
and the groves
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
#23
וְהַפְּסִלִ֖ים
H6456
and the carved images
an idol
#24
וְהַמַּסֵּכֽוֹת׃
H4541
and the molten images
properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Chronicles, this passage highlights kingdom of God through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Chronicles.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of 2 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection