2 Kings 23:28
Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Josiah {H2977}, and all that he did {H6213}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}?
Other activities of Yoshiyahu and all his accomplishments are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah.
As for the rest of the acts of Josiah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Cross-References
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2 Kings 20:20
And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
Commentary
Context
2 Kings 23:28 concludes the summary of King Josiah's remarkable reign in Judah, immediately following the account of his death in battle at Megiddo. Josiah was one of Judah's most righteous kings, known for his zealous reforms and his commitment to restoring the worship of the Lord. His reign began with the discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple, which spurred a widespread spiritual revival and the eradication of idolatry throughout the land. This verse serves as a customary concluding statement, common in the books of Kings, indicating that more extensive details of a monarch's rule were preserved in other official records.
Meaning and Purpose
This verse, "Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?", functions as a direct reference to external, more detailed historical annals. It assures the reader that the biblical account, while divinely inspired and focused on theological lessons, is not exhaustive but draws from and points to broader historical documentation. This common refrain in the books of Kings (and Chronicles) emphasizes the historicity of the biblical narrative, grounding it in verifiable records of the time.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" (Hebrew: ืกึตืคึถืจ ืึดึผืึฐืจึตื ืึทืึธึผืึดืื ืึฐืึทืึฐืึตื ืึฐืืึผืึธื, sefer divrei hayyamim lemalchei Yehudah) refers to the official royal annals or state records kept by the scribes of the Judean court. These were not necessarily the canonical books of 1 & 2 Chronicles that we have in our Bibles today, but rather the original source documents from which both the books of Kings and the books of Chronicles drew their information. The term divrei hayyamim literally means "matters of the days" or "daily records," emphasizing their nature as detailed, ongoing historical accounts.
Cross-References and Connections
Practical Application
This verse, though seemingly a mere historical note, reminds us of the enduring nature of truth and the importance of historical accuracy. For believers, it reinforces trust in the Bible's historical foundation, knowing that its narratives were grounded in real events and verifiable records, even if those records are no longer extant or accessible to us. It also encourages us to reflect on our own lives and the "acts" we perform, understanding that all things are known and recorded by God. Just as Josiah's legacy was preserved, our actions, whether good or bad, have lasting consequences and are not forgotten in the grand narrative of God's plan.
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