2 Kings 23:25

Authorized King James Version

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And 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.

Original Language Analysis

וְכָמֹהוּ֩ H3644
וְכָמֹהוּ֩
Strong's: H3644
Word #: 1 of 22
as, thus, so
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָיָ֨ה H1961
הָיָ֨ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 3 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפָנָ֜יו before H6440
לְפָנָ֜יו before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 4 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מֶ֗לֶךְ And like unto him was there no king H4428
מֶ֗לֶךְ And like unto him was there no king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 5 of 22
a king
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁ֤ב him that turned H7725
שָׁ֤ב him that turned
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 7 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 8 of 22
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָה֙ to the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ to the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבָב֤וֹ with all his heart H3824
לְבָב֤וֹ with all his heart
Strong's: H3824
Word #: 11 of 22
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וּבְכָל H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נַפְשׁוֹ֙ and with all his soul H5315
נַפְשׁוֹ֙ and with all his soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 13 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
וּבְכָל H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְאֹד֔וֹ and with all his might H3966
מְאֹד֔וֹ and with all his might
Strong's: H3966
Word #: 15 of 22
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
כְּכֹ֖ל H3605
כְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תּוֹרַ֣ת according to all the law H8451
תּוֹרַ֣ת according to all the law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 17 of 22
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
מֹשֶׁ֑ה of Moses H4872
מֹשֶׁ֑ה of Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 18 of 22
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
וְאַֽחֲרָ֖יו neither after H310
וְאַֽחֲרָ֖יו neither after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 19 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 20 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
קָ֥ם him arose H6965
קָ֥ם him arose
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 21 of 22
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
כָּמֹֽהוּ׃ H3644
כָּמֹֽהוּ׃
Strong's: H3644
Word #: 22 of 22
as, thus, so

Analysis & Commentary

And 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.

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. 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.

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

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