Josiah Finds the Book of the Law and Reforms
2 Kings 22:1-20
2 K.22.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמנה: NUM,card,f,pl,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יאשיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ושלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ואחת: CONJ+NUM,card,sg,f
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ידידה: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- עדיה: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- מבצקת: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:1 (verbal): Direct parallel/repetition of the same royal formula: Josiah began to reign at eight, reigned 31 years in Jerusalem, and his mother Jedidah (daughter of Adaiah of Boscath) is named.
- 2 Kings 11:21 (thematic): Another instance of a very young king (Joash/Jehoash) beginning to reign as a child; parallels the theme of child accession and regency in Judah's royal history.
- 1 Kings 15:2 (structural): Example of the standard royal formula that records a king's reign length and the name of his mother (here Abijam/Abijah), illustrating the historiographical practice found in 2 Kgs 22:1.
- 2 Chronicles 34:3 (thematic): Continues the account of Josiah immediately after the accession notice, highlighting his pious character ('did what was right before the LORD')—a thematic continuation of the biographical formula introduced in 2 Kgs 22:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother's name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
- Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem; and the name of his mother was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
2 K.22.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הישר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- סר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ימין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמאול: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2Chr.34.2 (quotation): Chronicles' parallel account of Josiah uses almost identical wording: he did what was right before the LORD and walked in the ways of David without turning aside.
- 2Kgs.18.3 (verbal): About Hezekiah: employs the same royal assessment formula—'did what was right in the eyes of the LORD' and followed David's ways—linking Josiah with other Davidic-model kings.
- Josh.1.7 (allusion): Contains the distinctive phrase 'do not turn to the right or to the left,' echoing the language of faithful, undivided obedience found in 2 Kgs 22:2.
- Deut.17.18-20 (thematic): The law's instruction for a king to keep the book of the law and not turn aside undergirds the ideal that a righteous king 'does not turn right or left' and walks in Davidic fidelity.
Alternative generated candidates
- He did what was right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
- He did what was right before the LORD; he walked in all the ways of his father David and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
2 K.22.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בשמנה: PREP+NUM,f,sg,abs
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאשיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אצליהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משלם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:8 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the same event—Josiah in his eighteenth year sends Shaphan son of Azaliah to the house of the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 34:14-15 (structural): Same narrative sequence: Hilkiah finds the book of the law, brings it to Shaphan, and Shaphan reads it—corresponding events to 2 Kgs 22:3–11.
- Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (thematic): Instructions for a king regarding the law and his duty to keep and read it—background theme for Josiah’s engagement with the book of the law and royal responsibility.
- Joshua 24:26 (thematic): Recording and publicizing covenantal words and renewals—parallels the pattern of discovery/reading of the law leading to religious reform and renewal.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the eighteenth year of King Josiah he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshillem, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
- In the eighteenth year of King Josiah he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah son of Meshillemoth, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
2 K.22.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- חלקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ויתם: VERB,qal,perf,3,ms
- את: PRT,acc
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המובא: PTCP,qal,pass,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אספו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שמרי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מאת: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:9-11 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Hilkiah the high priest bringing the silver collected by the temple doorkeepers—same event retold in Chronicles with similar wording and details.
- 1 Chronicles 9:26-27 (thematic): Describes the gatekeepers/doorkeepers of the house of the LORD and their oversight of the sanctuary’s goods—parallels the role of the temple keepers who collected and handled contributions.
- Nehemiah 12:44 (thematic): Speaks of those who kept the treasuries of the house of God and managed offerings and contributions—reflects the institutional practice of collecting and storing funds brought by the people.
- 2 Chronicles 31:12-13 (thematic): During Hezekiah’s reforms officials collected and put offerings into the storerooms of the house of the LORD—a comparable example of centralizing and accounting for contributions brought to the temple.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and let him count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people.”
- “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, and let him count the silver that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered from the people.
2 K.22.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתנהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj3ms
- על: PREP
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- המפקדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- לעשי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לחזק: VERB,qal,inf
- בדק: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chron.34.8-9 (verbal): Chronicles parallel to 2 Kgs 22: Josiah orders that money from the temple treasuries be given to the overseers and workmen to repair and strengthen the house of the LORD — closely corresponding wording and action.
- 2 Chron.24.11-12 (verbal): Account of Joash/Jehoash’s temple repairs: money collected for the house is delivered into the hands of those who do the work, who hire craftsmen and supervise the restoration — a closely similar procedure of handing funds to overseers/workmen.
- Ezra 6:8-10 (thematic): Persian decree under Darius directing that expenses, timber and provisions be provided from the royal revenue so those rebuilding the house of God would be paid and supplied — parallels the provision of funds/resources to officials overseeing temple repair.
- Nehemiah 3:1-32 (structural): Catalogue of supervisors and groups assigned to repair Jerusalem’s walls and gates; parallels the organizational pattern of appointing overseers and workmen responsible for specific repairs to sacred structures.
Alternative generated candidates
- And let him deliver it into the hands of the workmen who supervise the house of the LORD, and let them give it to the workmen who are at the house of the LORD to repair the house.
- And let them give it into the hand of the workmen who have oversight of the house of the LORD; and let them deliver it to the workmen who are in the house of the LORD to repair the house.
2 K.22.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לחרשים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולבנים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולגדרים: CONJ+PREP,NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולקנות: CONJ+PREP,VERB,qal,inf
- עצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואבני: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,const
- מחצב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחזק: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:9 (verbal): Parallel account of Josiah’s repairs; lists craftsmen and purchase of timber and quarried stone almost verbatim (same action: hiring carpenters/masons and buying timber and hewn stone to strengthen the house).
- 2 Kings 12:4-5 (thematic): Joash’s program to repair the temple—collection and allocation of funds to workmen for rebuilding—thematically parallels Josiah’s commissioning of carpenters, builders and quarried stone.
- 2 Chronicles 24:4-5 (thematic): Chronicles’ account of Joash repairing the house of the LORD and assigning craftsmen and materials; echoes the practical administrative steps for temple repair found in 2 Kings 22:6.
- 1 Kings 5:17-18 (structural): Solomon’s construction narrative: quarrying stone and procuring timber and craftsmen (builders/hewers); shares vocabulary and building practices (timber, quarried/hewn stone, skilled labor) with the verse in Kings.
Alternative generated candidates
- For carpenters and builders and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to strengthen the house.
- To the carpenters and builders and masons, and to buy timber and quarried stone to repair the house.
2 K.22.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אך: PART
- לא: PART_NEG
- יחשב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ידם: NOUN,m,sg,suff,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- באמונה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- 2 Chr.34.9-11 (verbal): Parallel account of Josiah’s temple repair; wording and situation are nearly identical — money brought in for the work was handed to overseers/workmen and not formally counted.
- 2 Chr.24.8-11 (structural): Account of Joash’s temple repairs where funds collected from the people were delivered into the hands of those doing the work and managed by overseers — similar practice and administrative arrangement.
- 1 Chr.29.5-9 (thematic): David’s people freely and willingly gave large offerings for the temple; funds and materials were given for sacred building work without emphasis on meticulous public accounting.
- Exod.36.3-7 (thematic): During the tabernacle construction the people brought freewill offerings abundantly and the craftsmen were overwhelmed — a comparable theme of generous, faith-driven contributions for sacred building.
Alternative generated candidates
- But they shall not make an accounting with them of the money delivered into their hands, for they deal faithfully.
- But no accounting shall be made with those to whom the money is given; for they act faithfully.”
2 K.22.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חלקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חלקיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקראהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,+OBJ:3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:14-19 (verbal): A near‑parallel account of Hilkiah finding the book of the law and giving it to Shaphan; wording and sequence closely mirror the account in 2 Kings.
- Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (thematic): Prescribes the public reading and possession of the Torah so that all Israel, including leaders, will hear it — provides the legal/theological background for the significance of discovering the book in the temple.
- Nehemiah 8:2-8 (thematic): Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the assembled people and they respond; parallels the discovery/reading of scripture and the communal impact of public proclamation of the law.
- Jeremiah 36:22-23 (thematic): Describes a scroll being read before the king (and a courtly reaction to a written prophetic/ legal text), echoing the motif of a written book being presented/read in the royal/temple setting.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
- And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
2 K.22.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- התיכו: VERB,hithpael,perf,3,m,pl
- עבדיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנמצא: PART,nif,ptc,ms,sg,def
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויתנהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj3ms
- על: PREP
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- המפקדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:12–13 (structural): Parallel retelling of the Josiah reform story: Shaphan’s report and the handing over of money to the overseers of the house of the LORD—near-duplicate account of the same event.
- 2 Kings 22:4 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel within Kings: earlier verse in the same episode records Hilkiah/Shaphan and the transfer of funds to those supervising the temple work.
- Exodus 35:21–29 (thematic): Theme of voluntary gifts and contributions given for sacred construction and then handed to skilled workers—analogous practice in building/repairing divine sanctuary.
- 1 Chronicles 29:5–9 (thematic): David’s provision of materials and payment to craftsmen/servants for the temple: similar pattern of collecting resources and allocating them to those who do the work for the house of the LORD.
- Ezra 6:8–10 (thematic): Royal provision and allocation of funds/materials for temple service and sacrifices—comparable institutional arrangement for financing temple work and supporting its ministers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Shaphan the scribe came to the king and reported to the king, “Your servants have put the money that was found in the house into the hands of the workmen who supervise the house of the LORD.”
- And Shaphan the scribe came to the king and reported to the king, “Your servants have put the money that was in the house into the hand of the workmen who oversee the house.”
2 K.22.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- חלקיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקראהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:14-19 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Hilkiah finding the book and Shaphan reading it before the king; the narrative language and sequence closely mirror 2 Kings 22:8–11.
- Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (thematic): Moses writes down the law and directs that it be read publicly to all Israel at set times—provides the legal/ritual background for the discovery and public reading of a 'book of the law.'
- Nehemiah 8:1-8 (thematic): Ezra reads the scroll of the Law aloud to the assembled people and the Levites explain it; parallels the official public reading and interpretation of a sacred book discovered or presented in the community.
- Jeremiah 36:1-32 (structural): Jeremiah dictates and Baruch writes a scroll, which is then read in the temple and presented to officials/king—parallels the processes of composing, reading, and bringing a written text before political/religious authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.
- And Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.
2 K.22.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמע: CONJ
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויקרע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בגדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:19 (quotation): Direct parallel account of Josiah's response; the narrative repeats the king's tearing of his clothes on hearing the words of the Book of the Law.
- Ezra 9:3 (verbal): Ezra 'tore his garments and plucked hair' when he heard of Israel's unfaithfulness—uses the same action/verb (tearing garments) as an expression of shock and repentance.
- Joel 2:13 (thematic): 'Rend your heart and not your garments'—juxtaposes external tearing of clothes with genuine inner repentance, illuminating the theological meaning of tearing garments (as Josiah does).
- Genesis 37:34 (verbal): Jacob 'tore his clothes' on hearing of Joseph's apparent death; same verb and cultural practice of tearing garments to express grief and distress.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.
- When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his garments.
2 K.22.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- חלקיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- אחיקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- עכבור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיכיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- עשיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:20-21 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Josiah sending Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan and others to consult the prophetess Huldah (near-identical list and action).
- 2 Chronicles 34:22 (verbal): Continues the parallel list of the officials sent to Huldah (names and purpose correspond closely with 2 Kgs 22:12).
- 2 Kings 22:14 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation showing the dispatched officials arriving at Huldah to inquire of the LORD — fulfills the command of v.12.
- 1 Samuel 9:15-17 (thematic): Saul is directed to Samuel (a prophet) by a divine word — similar motif of a king/leader being led to consult a prophet through intermediaries.
- 2 Kings 19:2-7 (thematic): Hezekiah sends messengers to the prophet Isaiah for counsel in a national crisis — comparable pattern of a king commissioning officials to seek prophetic guidance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam son of Shaphan and Achbor son of Micaiah and Shaphan the scribe and Asahiah a servant of the king, saying,
- Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Akbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
2 K.22.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- דרשו: VERB,piel,impv,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעדי: PREP+1,sg
- ובעד: CONJ,PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ובעד: CONJ,PREP
- כל: DET
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- על: PREP
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנמצא: PART,nif,ptc,ms,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- נצתה: VERB,nif,perf,3,f,sg
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- על: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אבתינו: NOUN,m,pl,suff:1pl
- על: PREP
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- ככל: PREP
- הכתוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- עלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chron.34.21 (verbal): Parallel account of Josiah's discovery of the book and the same request to 'inquire of the LORD' about the book's words; language and circumstance closely mirror 2 Kings 22:13 (structurally and verbally parallel narrative).
- Deut.31.24-26 (structural): Instruction to preserve the 'Book of the Law' (to put it by the side of the ark) — establishes the motif of a discovered/preserved law-book that must be heeded, the same institutional setting that gives weight to Josiah's concern about the book's demands.
- Deut.31.27-29 (thematic): Moses' warning that the people (and future generations) will be rebellious and that God’s anger will come because they do not heed the law — echoes 2 Kings' emphasis that 'our fathers did not listen' and that the LORD's great wrath has been kindled as a result.
- Jer.36.20-23 (thematic): Account of King Jehoiakim refusing and burning a prophetic scroll — illustrates royal/official rejection of God's written word and the peril that follows, thematically parallel to the idea that ignoring the discovered book provoked divine wrath.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us because our fathers did not obey the words of this book to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
- “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
2 K.22.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- חלקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואחיקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועכבור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועשיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- חלדה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הנביאה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- שלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תקוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חרחס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הבגדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והיא: CONJ+PRON,3,f,sg
- ישבת: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במשנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:22 (quotation): Direct parallel account of Josiah's officials (Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, etc.) going to the prophetess Huldah; Chronicles repeats and slightly expands the Kings narrative.
- 2 Kings 22:8-13 (structural): Immediate context in Kings: Hilkiah finds the book of the Law and sends it via Shaphan to the king, prompting the delegation to Huldah — part of the same episode and narrative flow.
- Judges 4:4 (thematic): Deborah is another Israelite prophetess who exercises recognized authority; parallels in the social role of a woman prophet providing guidance to leaders.
- Luke 2:36 (thematic): Anna the prophetess in the Jerusalem temple functions as a female prophetic witness in the city, echoing the motif of a woman prophet active in Jerusalem/priestly contexts.
- 1 Samuel 28:7-8 (thematic): King Saul's consultation of a necromancer/medium at Endor provides a contrasting instance of a king seeking supernatural counsel outside sanctioned prophetic channels, highlighting the significance of consulting an authorized prophet like Huldah.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam and Achbor and Shaphan and Asahiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter, and they spoke with her.
- So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Akbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; and she lived in Jerusalem in the second district. They spoke with her.
2 K.22.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:22 (verbal): Parallel account of Huldah's oracle in Chronicles; repeats the same instruction to 'say to the man who sent you' (closely corresponding wording).
- Jeremiah 1:7 (thematic): God commissions the prophet to speak to those He sends him to—similar directive-role language in prophetic mediation ('you shall say…/say to the man').
- Ezekiel 2:4-7 (thematic): Ezekiel is commanded to 'speak my words' to Israel despite resistance—parallels the prophet’s function of conveying God’s message to others sent as messengers.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (thematic): Isaiah receives a divine commission to deliver a message with a specified addressee and consequences—reflects the typical 'Thus says the LORD' prophetic formula and sending of a message.
- 2 Samuel 12:7 (verbal): Nathan delivers God’s word to David using the prophetic injunction format ('Thus says the LORD'), analogous to Huldah’s instruction to report God’s oracle to those who sent the messengers.
Alternative generated candidates
- And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me,
- And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me,
2 K.22.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- מביא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- ישביו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Chron.34.24-28 (quotation): The Chronicler records the same report from Huldah to Josiah, repeating the prophecy that God will bring calamity on the place and its inhabitants (verbal and narrative parallel to 2 Kgs 22:16).
- Leviticus 26:14-39 (thematic): Lists the covenant curses for disobedience—God bringing disease, defeat, and exile on the land and people—providing the covenantal framework behind the threat of disaster in 2 Kgs 22:16.
- Deuteronomy 28:15, 45-68 (thematic): The covenant curse formula: if Israel breaks the law the LORD will bring all these curses upon them; this legal/prophetic background undergirds the announcement that the words of the book spell disaster for the land and its inhabitants.
- 1 Kings 21:21-22 (verbal): Elijah’s pronouncement to Ahab—'Behold, I will bring disaster upon you'—uses the same prophetic formula of impending divine judgment, a verbal parallel in prophetic speech announcing calamity.
Alternative generated candidates
- ‘Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will bring calamity upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read.
- ‘Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read.
2 K.22.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תחת: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עזבוני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl,suff_1cs
- ויקטרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- למען: PREP
- הכעיסני: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl,suff:1,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- ונצתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- חמתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,suff:1,sg
- במקום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- תכבה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chron.34.25 (quotation): Parallel account of Huldah’s prophecy in Chronicles; repeats the same judgment-language about forsaking God, burning incense to other gods, and God’s wrath kindled on the place.
- 2 Kgs.21.12-15 (thematic): Earlier royal sin (Manasseh’s idolatry) and God’s threat to bring disaster on Jerusalem because the people provoked Him by serving other gods—same causal link between idolatry in the temple and divine wrath.
- Deut.29.20-21 (verbal): Part of the Deuteronomic curse tradition: a person/nation that turns to other gods will incur the LORD’s jealous anger that will burn and not be forgiven—language and theological motif (unquenchable divine wrath) echoes 2 Kgs 22:17.
- Jer.44.4-6 (thematic): Jeremiah’s denunciation of Judah’s people for burning incense to other gods (in Egypt) and the consequent pronouncement of disaster—connects the specific sin of foreign worship with inevitable divine judgment, as in 2 Kgs 22:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, to provoke me by all the work of their hands, my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.’”
- Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods, to provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands, my wrath will be kindled against this place and it shall not be quenched.’”
2 K.22.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- השלח: VERB,qal,ptc,m,sg,def
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- לדרש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- תאמרו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- 2Chr.34.22-28 (structural): Direct parallel/retelling of Josiah's inquiry and Huldah's oracle; repeats the sending to Huldah and the prophetess' reply to the king's messengers.
- Deut.18.18-19 (thematic): God promises to raise up a prophet who will speak God's words and declares consequences for not heeding—background for the authority behind prophetic 'Thus says the LORD.'
- Amos.3.7 (thematic): States that the LORD reveals his plans to his prophets—explains the prophetic disclosure given in response to an official inquiry.
- Ezek.2.3 (thematic): God commissions and sends a prophet to the house of Israel; parallels the motif of an official being sent to consult/receive a divine message.
- Isa.6.8 (thematic): Contains the sending motif—'Whom shall I send?'—which underlies passages where messengers are sent to receive or deliver the LORD's word.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD you shall say thus to him: “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the words that you have heard.
- And to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD you shall say thus to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the words that you have heard:
2 K.22.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יען: CONJ
- רך: ADJ,m,sg
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ותכנע: VERB,qal,perf,2,f,sg
- מפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בשמעך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דברתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- על: PREP
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- ישביו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- לשמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולקללה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותקרע: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בגדיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ותבכה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לפני: PREP
- וגם: CONJ
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- שמעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2Chr.34.27 (verbal): Near-duplicate account in Chronicles: God responds to Josiah’s humility and tearing of garments; language and promise are essentially the same.
- Jonah 3:9-10 (thematic): Nineveh’s communal repentance (fasting, humility) leads God to relent and postpone disaster—parallel theme of divine response to genuine contrition.
- 2Chr.7:14 (thematic): Promise that if the people humble themselves, pray and turn from evil, God will hear and heal—same covenantal principle linking humility/repentance to divine mercy.
- Ps.51:17 (thematic): ‘A broken and contrite heart’ is pleasing to God; echoes the motif that inward humility and genuine remorse elicit God’s favorable response.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and its inhabitants, to make them a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard, declares the LORD.
- Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants—that they should become a desolation and a curse—and because you tore your garments and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.
2 K.22.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- אספך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- על: PREP
- אבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m
- ונאספת: VERB,nip,impf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- קברתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בשלום: PREP
- ולא: CONJ
- תראינה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- מביא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- וישיבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:28 (quotation): Parallel account of Huldah's prophecy to King Josiah with nearly identical wording about being gathered to your fathers and not seeing the disaster brought on the place (direct parallel/duplicate report).
- Genesis 15:15 (verbal): Similar covenantal/benedictory formula: 'you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age'—echoes 'gathered to your fathers… in peace.'
- Deuteronomy 31:16 (verbal): Uses the same death/retirement formula ('you shall sleep/gather to your fathers') in a prophetic word to Moses—shows established Hebrew idiom for dying and being 'gathered' to ancestors.
- 1 Kings 2:10 (thematic): Formulaic report of a king's death—'David slept with his fathers'—illustrates the common biblical motif/language for death and burial comparable to 'gathered to your fathers.'
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see the disaster that I will bring upon this place. So they returned to the king with a report.”
- Therefore now, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the evil that I will bring upon this place. So they returned and told the king.
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years; and the name of his mother was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.
He did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of David his father; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
In the eighteenth year of his reign the king sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshillemoth, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, and let him count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD and that the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people.
Let it be given into the hand of the overseers of the work who are in charge of the house of the LORD, and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of the LORD, to repair and strengthen the house.”
To the carpenters and builders and stonecutters, and to buy timber and quarried stone to strengthen the house. But there was no accounting made with them for the money that was delivered into their hands, for they dealt faithfully. And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
Then Shaphan the scribe came to the king and reported the matter to the king, saying, “Your servants have put the money that was found in the house into the hand of those who oversee the work.” And Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam son of Shaphan, and Akbor son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
“Go, inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not been obedient to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” So Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam and Akbor and Shaphan and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; and she lived in Jerusalem, in the Second Quarter. They spoke with her. And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me,
‘Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, according to all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read,
because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands. My wrath is kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.’” But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD you shall say this: ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the words that you have heard—’
‘Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and its inhabitants, to make them a desolation and a curse, and because you tore your clothes and wept before me, I have surely heard you, declares the LORD.
Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place. And they returned and told the king.’