2 Chronicles 34:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.

Complete Jewish Bible:

After the king had heard what was written in the Torah, he tore his clothes.

Berean Standard Bible:

When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes

American Standard Version:

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And it came to pass, when the king^{H4428} had heard^{H8085} the words^{H1697} of the law^{H8451}, that he rent^{H7167} his clothes^{H899}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for 2 Chronicles 34:19

2 Chronicles 34:19 is a part of the narrative concerning King Josiah of Judah, who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BCE. This verse occurs during a period of religious reform and national restoration in Judah. Josiah is known for his efforts to rid the kingdom of idolatry and to centralize worship in the Temple of Jerusalem.

The verse specifically captures a pivotal moment in Josiah's reign when the Book of the Law—likely a version of the book of Deuteronomy—is discovered during the renovation of the Temple. Upon hearing the words of the Law read aloud, Josiah is overcome with grief and fear because he realizes how far the people of Judah have strayed from the commands and statutes of God. His renting of his clothes is a traditional sign of deep mourning and repentance.

This act reflects the themes of repentance and the profound impact of God's word on the heart of a righteous leader. It also underscores the importance of the Law in guiding the spiritual and moral life of the nation. Josiah's reaction foreshadows his subsequent zeal to enact religious reforms and to reestablish the covenant between Judah and the Lord. The verse is emblematic of the broader biblical theme that the word of God has the power to convict, to bring about genuine change, and to reorient individuals and communities towards faithful obedience.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8451
   There are 213 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹרָה
   Transliteration: tôwrâh
   Pronunciation: to-raw'
   Description: or תֹּרָה; from יָרָה; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch; law.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7167
   There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרַע
   Transliteration: qâraʻ
   Pronunciation: kaw-rah'
   Description: a primitive root; to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them); cut out, rend, [idiom] surely, tear.
   
6. Strong's Number: H899
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֶּגֶד
   Transliteration: beged
   Pronunciation: behg'-ed
   Description: from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, robe, [idiom] very (treacherously), vesture, wardrobe.