2 Chronicles 35:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.

Complete Jewish Bible:

There archers shot King Yoshiyahu. The king said to his servants, "Take me away, because I'm badly wounded."

Berean Standard Bible:

There the archers shot King Josiah, who said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded!”

American Standard Version:

And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the archers^{H3384} shot^{H3384} at king^{H4428} Josiah^{H2977}; and the king^{H4428} said^{H559} to his servants^{H5650}, Have me away^{H5674}; for I am sore^{H3966} wounded^{H2470}.

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Commentary for 2 Chronicles 35:23

2 Chronicles 35:23 is a verse that captures a pivotal moment in the history of the ancient kingdom of Judah. The verse is part of the narrative describing the reign of King Josiah, who is known for his religious reforms and for his efforts to centralize worship in Jerusalem according to the laws of Moses. Josiah's reign was marked by a period of spiritual revival and national restoration.

In this particular verse, we find King Josiah in a battle that is not described in detail within the text. The context is that Josiah has decided to confront Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt, who was marching through Judah's territory to engage another enemy. Despite Neco's peaceful intentions and a message advising Josiah not to interfere, Josiah disguised himself and went into battle at Megiddo. The archers shooting at Josiah indicate that the battle was fierce, and Josiah is struck by an arrow, sustaining a severe wound.

The themes present in this verse include the consequences of disobedience, the frailty of human life, and the sovereignty of God. Josiah's decision to engage in battle against Neco's advice can be seen as an act of disobedience to the divine will. His subsequent wounding underscores the idea that even a king favored by God, like Josiah, is subject to the consequences of his actions. It also highlights the reality that human plans and power are limited and often subject to divine oversight.

Josiah's request to be taken away from the battlefield acknowledges his vulnerability and mortality. It reflects a moment of clarity where the king realizes the gravity of his situation. This event ultimately leads to Josiah's death, which is mourned by the people of Judah, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 35:24-25. Josiah's death is seen as a turning point for Judah, as his reforms did not outlive him, and the kingdom soon fell into decline, eventually leading to its destruction by the Babylonians.

*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: H3384
   There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרָה
   Transliteration: yârâh
   Pronunciation: yaw-raw'
   Description: or (2 Chronicles 26:15) יָרָא; a primitive root; properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach; ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2977
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יֹאשִׁיָּה
   Transliteration: Yôʼshîyâh
   Pronunciation: yo-shee-yaw'
   Description: or יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ; from the same root as אֲשׁוּיָה and יָהּ; founded of Jah; Joshijah, the name of two Israelites; Josiah.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3966
   There are 278 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְאֹד
   Transliteration: mᵉʼôd
   Pronunciation: meh-ode'
   Description: from the same as אוּד; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2470
   There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלָה
   Transliteration: châlâh
   Pronunciation: khaw-law'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חוּל, חָלָה, חָלַל); properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat; beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, [idiom] pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit ([idiom] supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded.