2 Kings 22:19
Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
יַ֠עַן
H3282
יַ֠עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
1 of 27
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 27
to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively
לְבָ֨בְךָ֜
Because thine heart
H3824
לְבָ֨בְךָ֜
Because thine heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
3 of 27
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וַתִּכָּנַ֣ע׀
and thou hast humbled
H3665
וַתִּכָּנַ֣ע׀
and thou hast humbled
Strong's:
H3665
Word #:
4 of 27
properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish
לְפָנָ֑י
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֑י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי
me I also have heard
H8085
שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי
me I also have heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 27
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבַּרְתִּי֩
what I spake
H1696
דִּבַּרְתִּי֩
what I spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
9 of 27
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמָּק֨וֹם
against this place
H4725
הַמָּק֨וֹם
against this place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
11 of 27
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)
הַזֶּ֜ה
H2088
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יֹֽשְׁבָ֗יו
and against the inhabitants
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבָ֗יו
and against the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
לִֽהְי֤וֹת
H1961
לִֽהְי֤וֹת
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְשַׁמָּה֙
thereof that they should become a desolation
H8047
לְשַׁמָּה֙
thereof that they should become a desolation
Strong's:
H8047
Word #:
16 of 27
ruin; by implication, consternation
וַתִּקְרַע֙
and hast rent
H7167
וַתִּקְרַע֙
and hast rent
Strong's:
H7167
Word #:
18 of 27
to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 27
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 #:
22 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְגַ֧ם
H1571
וְגַ֧ם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
23 of 27
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Cross References
Psalms 51:17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.1 Kings 21:29Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.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.Exodus 10:3And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.1 Samuel 24:5And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.Micah 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?Isaiah 66:5Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.Jeremiah 44:22So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.Luke 19:41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,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.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 22 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 Reform Begins) 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 22 regarding rediscovery of god's word brings renewal?
- 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
Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 22: Rediscovery of God's word brings renewal. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. 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.