2 Kings 23:2
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַל
went up
H5927
וַיַּ֣עַל
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 28
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בְּבֵ֥ית
in the house
H1004
בְּבֵ֥ית
in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
3 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִ֣ישׁ
and all the men
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
and all the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 28
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יְהוּדָה֩
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֩
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
7 of 28
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֨י
and all the inhabitants
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֨י
and all the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
9 of 28
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
10 of 28
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
אִתּ֗וֹ
H854
אִתּ֗וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
11 of 28
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
with him and the priests
H3548
וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
with him and the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
12 of 28
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְהַנְּבִיאִ֔ים
and the prophets
H5030
וְהַנְּבִיאִ֔ים
and the prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
13 of 28
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֖ם
and all the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
and all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
15 of 28
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
לְמִקָּטֹ֣ן
both small
H6996
לְמִקָּטֹ֣ן
both small
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
16 of 28
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
17 of 28
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
גָּד֑וֹל
and great
H1419
גָּד֑וֹל
and great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
18 of 28
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וַיִּקְרָ֣א
and he read
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֣א
and he read
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
19 of 28
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
בְאָזְנֵיהֶ֗ם
in their ears
H241
בְאָזְנֵיהֶ֗ם
in their ears
Strong's:
H241
Word #:
20 of 28
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דִּבְרֵי֙
all the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵי֙
all the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
23 of 28
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
סֵ֣פֶר
of the book
H5612
סֵ֣פֶר
of the book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
24 of 28
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
הַבְּרִ֔ית
of the covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִ֔ית
of the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
25 of 28
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
הַנִּמְצָ֖א
which was found
H4672
הַנִּמְצָ֖א
which was found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
26 of 28
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
Cross References
2 Kings 22:8And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.Revelation 20:12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 23 takes place during the final century of Judah's existence, 7th century BCE, including Manasseh and Josiah's reigns. The chapter's theme (Josiah's Thorough Reforms) reflects the historical reality of the worst apostasy under Manasseh followed by the most thorough reforms under Josiah, demonstrating that external righteousness cannot reverse God's determined judgment. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 23 regarding comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And 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.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 23: Comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.