2 Kings 23:3
And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֥ד
stood
H5975
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֥ד
stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
1 of 35
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 35
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָ֨עַמּ֜וּד
by a pillar
H5982
הָ֨עַמּ֜וּד
by a pillar
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
4 of 35
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
וַיִּכְרֹ֥ת
and made
H3772
וַיִּכְרֹ֥ת
and made
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
5 of 35
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּבְּרִֽית׃
a covenant
H1285
בַּבְּרִֽית׃
a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
7 of 35
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 35
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 35
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָלֶ֜כֶת
H1980
לָלֶ֜כֶת
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
10 of 35
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אַחַ֤ר
after
H310
אַחַ֤ר
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
11 of 35
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 35
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלִשְׁמֹ֨ר
and to keep
H8104
וְלִשְׁמֹ֨ר
and to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
13 of 35
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצְוֹתָ֜יו
his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֜יו
his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
14 of 35
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 35
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֵ֣ב
with all their heart
H3820
לֵ֣ב
with all their heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
20 of 35
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 35
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
and all their soul
H5315
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
and all their soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
22 of 35
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לְהָקִ֗ים
to perform
H6965
לְהָקִ֗ים
to perform
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
23 of 35
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
24 of 35
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵי֙
the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵי֙
the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
25 of 35
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בַּבְּרִֽית׃
a covenant
H1285
בַּבְּרִֽית׃
a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
26 of 35
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
הַכְּתֻבִ֖ים
that were written
H3789
הַכְּתֻבִ֖ים
that were written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
28 of 35
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
29 of 35
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַסֵּ֣פֶר
in this book
H5612
הַסֵּ֣פֶר
in this book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
30 of 35
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֥ד
stood
H5975
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֥ד
stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
32 of 35
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
33 of 35
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
2 Kings 11:14And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.2 Kings 11:17And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people.Deuteronomy 13:4Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
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 stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
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.