2 Kings 22:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

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

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book 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 book^{H5612} of the law^{H8451}, that he rent^{H7167} his clothes^{H899}.

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Commentary for 2 Kings 22:11

2 Kings 22:11 is a pivotal verse in the historical narrative of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, specifically during the reign of King Josiah. The verse captures a moment of profound religious and national significance. At this juncture, the high priest Hilkiah discovers a book of the law—widely believed to be a version of what we now know as the Book of Deuteronomy—during repairs to the Temple in Jerusalem. When King Josiah hears the words of this sacred text, he is deeply moved and distressed by the realization that the nation has not been living according to the commands of the Lord as outlined in the book.

The act of rending one's clothes in ancient Jewish culture was a sign of deep sorrow, mourning, or repentance. Josiah's reaction indicates his recognition of the nation's apostasy and the gravity of the situation, as the laws and commandments recorded in the book reveal the extent to which Judah has strayed from God's path. The themes present in this verse include the importance of God's law, the power of scripture to convict and inspire change, the role of a king as a spiritual leader, and the necessity of repentance and reformation in the face of religious decline.

This event marks the beginning of Josiah's religious reforms, where he seeks to bring the kingdom back into alignment with the covenant stipulations of the Mosaic Law. Josiah's reign is often highlighted as a period of spiritual revival and renewal in Judah, and his response to the discovered book of the law sets a tone of genuine contrition and commitment to religious integrity, which would influence the future trajectory of Judah's religious life until its eventual fall to 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: 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: H5612
   There are 174 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סֵפֶר
   Transliteration: çêpher
   Pronunciation: say'-fer
   Description: or (feminine) סִפְרָה; (Psalm 56:8 (אֲבֵדָה)), from סָפַר; properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book; bill, book, evidence, [idiom] learn(-ed) (-ing), letter, register, scroll.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.