2 Kings 22:16

Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, [even] all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Behold, I will bring {H935} evil {H7451} upon this place {H4725}, and upon the inhabitants {H3427} thereof, even all the words {H1697} of the book {H5612} which the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} hath read {H7121}:

that ADONAI says this: 'I am going to bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, every word in the scroll the king of Y'hudah has read;

that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read,

Thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read.

Commentary

2 Kings 22:16 delivers a stark prophetic message from the LORD through Huldah the prophetess, declaring impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem. This verse marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King Josiah, highlighting the severe consequences of the nation's long-standing disobedience to God's covenant.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King Josiah's righteous reign, during which he initiated significant reforms and temple renovations. While repairing the Temple in Jerusalem, Hilkiah the high priest discovered "the book of the law" (2 Kings 22:8). Upon hearing its contents, King Josiah was deeply distressed, realizing how far the people of Judah had strayed from God's commands and the severe curses outlined in the Law (2 Kings 22:11). He sent a delegation, including Hilkiah, to inquire of the LORD through Huldah, a prophetess living in Jerusalem. Verse 16 is Huldah's direct response, conveying God's unwavering resolve to bring about the consequences of their actions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The verse unequivocally states God's intention to bring "evil" (Hebrew: ra', meaning calamity, disaster, or affliction) upon Jerusalem and its inhabitants. This is not arbitrary punishment but a just response to generations of idolatry and covenant breaking.
  • Covenant Consequences: The impending judgment is directly linked to "all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read." This refers to the curses detailed in the Law (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:15-68), which promised desolation and exile for disobedience. God is shown to be faithful to His warnings as much as to His promises.
  • The Authority of God's Word: The rediscovery and reading of the Law brought immediate conviction and a clear understanding of God's standards and the consequences of neglecting them. The prophecy confirms that God's word, once declared, will be fulfilled.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "evil" in "I will bring evil upon this place" is ra' (Χ¨ΦΈΧ’). While it can mean moral wickedness, in this context, it primarily refers to calamity, disaster, or misfortune. It signifies the devastating consequences of sin and disobedience, not that God Himself is performing a morally evil act, but rather bringing about the deserved judgment.

Related Scriptures

The full weight of this prophecy can be understood by examining the curses for disobedience outlined in Deuteronomy 28. While the judgment upon Judah was severe, God, in His mercy, granted King Josiah a reprieve due to his personal humility and repentance (2 Kings 22:19-20), delaying the full outpouring of wrath until after his death.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  1. The Seriousness of God's Word: God's commands and warnings are not idle threats. Disregarding divine revelation inevitably leads to consequences, both for individuals and nations.
  2. Accountability: Nations and individuals are held accountable for their actions and their adherence to God's revealed will.
  3. God's Justice: While God is merciful, He is also just. His character demands that sin and rebellion against His covenant be met with appropriate judgment.

For believers today, it underscores the importance of not only hearing God's word but also obeying it, recognizing that true blessing comes from living in alignment with His will.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 9:11

    Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

  • Daniel 9:14

    Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God [is] righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice.

  • Joshua 23:15

    Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

  • Deuteronomy 29:18

    Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;

  • Deuteronomy 29:23

    [And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

  • Deuteronomy 29:27

    And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:

  • 2 Kings 25:1

    ΒΆ And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.
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