Josiah’s Covenant Renewal and Passover
2 Kings 23:1-30
2 K.23.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאספו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וירושלם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chron.34.30 (verbal): Parallel retelling of Josiah’s reforms — Chronicles records the king summoning the elders of Judah and Jerusalem in language closely corresponding to Kings.
- 1 Kgs.8.1 (structural): Solomon summons all the elders of Israel to the king/temple assembly — a comparable royal call of tribal leaders for a major cultic event.
- Neh.8.1 (thematic): The elders of Judah gather (at the Water Gate) to hear the law — echoes the motif of elders assembling under leadership for religious instruction and covenant renewal.
- Josh.24.1 (thematic): Joshua gathers all the tribes and elders for a covenant renewal at Shechem — a similar scene of leaders being summoned to decide or affirm national/religious commitments.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king sent and gathered to him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
- Then the king sent and gathered to him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
2 K.23.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- והכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והנביאים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- למקטן: PREP+ADJ,m,sg
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- באזניהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הברית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הנמצא: PART,nif,ptc,ms,sg,def
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2Chron.34.30-32 (structural): Parallel account of Josiah's reform: the king, all Judah and Jerusalem, the priests and prophets, and the people hear the book of the covenant and covenant renewal (closely matches 2 Kgs 23:1–3).
- 2Kgs.22.8-20 (structural): Immediate literary context: discovery of the 'book of the law' in the temple and the prophetess Huldah's oracle that prompts the king's reading and subsequent reforms described in 2 Kgs 23:2.
- Deut.31.9-13 (thematic): Mosaic legislation commanding regular public reading of the law to all Israel (men, women, children, and strangers), which provides the legal-theological precedent for Josiah's public reading of the covenant-book.
- Josh.8.30-35 (thematic): After the conquest, Joshua gathers all Israel and reads 'all the words of the law'—a parallel instance of covenantal public reading to the assembled people.
- Neh.8.1-8 (thematic): Ezra reads the Law aloud to all the people, with Levites explaining it—a postexilic echo of communal public reading and covenant instruction like Josiah's action in 2 Kgs 23:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him— the priests and the prophets and all the people, from the least to the greatest— and he read before them all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.
- The king went up to the house of the LORD, he and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him — the priests and the prophets and all the people, from the least to the greatest — and he read aloud to them all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.
2 K.23.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- העמוד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויכרת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הברית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ללכת: VERB,qal,inf
- אחר: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולשמר: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- מצותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- עדותיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- ואת: CONJ
- חקתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להקים: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הברית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- הכתבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בברית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 24:3-8 (structural): Covenant ceremony: the leader reads/recites the book of the covenant, the people assent to do the words, and the covenant is ratified in a formal rite (Moses sprinkles blood).
- Deuteronomy 29:10-13 (thematic): All Israel assembled and standing before the LORD to enter into covenant, pledging obedience with communal commitment — motifs of standing before Yahweh and binding obligation.
- Joshua 24:25-27 (structural): Joshua establishes a covenant between the people and Yahweh, records it in writing and sets up a witness (stone/record), paralleling Josiah’s public covenant and written record.
- 2 Chronicles 34:31-33 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Josiah’s action in Chronicles: the king stands by a pillar, makes a covenant to follow the LORD and to keep the words of the book — close verbal and narrative correspondence.
- Nehemiah 9:38; 10:28-29 (thematic): Postexilic covenant renewal: leaders and people seal a written covenant, bind themselves to follow the law and to observe statutes — communal recommitment and written agreement echo Josiah’s renewal.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his laws, with all his heart and all his soul, to establish the words of the covenant written in this book; and all the people stood to the covenant.
- The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and with all his soul, to establish the words of this covenant written in this book; and all the people stood to the covenant.
2 K.23.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- חלקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כהני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- המשנה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- שמרי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- להוציא: VERB,hiph,inf
- מהיכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הכלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- העשוים: PART,qal,ptc,m,pl,def
- לבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולאשרה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,prop
- ולכל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וישרפם: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- מחוץ: PREP
- לירושלם: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
- בשדמות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- קדרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונשא: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עפרם: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:4-7 (quotation): Parallel retelling of Josiah’s temple reforms: removing vessels and objects associated with Baal/Asherah and burning them; Chronicles recounts the same purge in similar detail.
- 2 Kings 23:6-7 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation within the same reform account (breaking Asherah poles, cutting down altars, carrying ashes to Bethel)—closely connected actions and wording.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (thematic): Law prescribing the destruction of foreign altars, pillars, and Asherah images—provides the legal/ideological background for Josiah’s removal and burning of cultic objects.
- 1 Kings 15:12 (thematic): King Asa’s earlier reform: removing his grandmother’s Asherah and high places; thematically parallels royal purges of Asherah and foreign cultic installations in Judah.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second rank, and the gatekeepers, to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal and for Asherah and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.
- The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the doorkeepers to bring out of the house of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal and for Asherah and for all the host of the heavens; and they burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.
2 K.23.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והשבית: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הכמרים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויקטר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בבמות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בערי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ומסבי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- המקטרים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl,def
- לבעל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשמש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולירח: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולמזלות: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ולכל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:4-7 (structural): Parallel account of Josiah’s reforms—removes priests who burned incense in high places and destroys idolatrous worship surrounding Jerusalem (matches content and sequence).
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (thematic): Legal command to destroy high places, altars and Asherim—provides the Mosaic-law background for uprooting local high-place worship.
- Deuteronomy 4:19 (thematic): Warning against turning to the sun, moon and stars—theological rationale against ‘serving the host of heaven’ mentioned in 2 Kgs 23:5.
- 1 Kings 15:12 (thematic): Description of King Asa removing high places and Asherah poles—an earlier royal reform that parallels Josiah’s actions in eliminating local/astral cultic practices.
Alternative generated candidates
- He put down the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the outskirts of Jerusalem; he likewise removed those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.
- He put away the priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the outlying places of Jerusalem, and the men who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations and to all the host of heaven.
2 K.23.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האשרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מחוץ: PREP
- לירושלם: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- נחל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בנחל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,const
- קדרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לעפר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עפרה: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- על: PREP
- קבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2Chron.34.6 (quotation): Parallel retelling of Josiah's action — the Asherah is brought out of the temple, burned at the Kidron, stamped to powder, and its dust cast on the graves (near-verbatim account).
- 2Kgs.18.4 (verbal): Hezekiah likewise 'cut down the Asherah' and abolished idolatrous objects; shares verbal motif of removing Asherah poles during a royal reform.
- Judg.6.25-30 (thematic): Gideon's nighttime demolition and burning of a local Asherah pole (and rebuilding of an altar to YHWH) echoes the theme of destroying Asherah cultic imagery and restoring exclusive worship.
- 2Kgs.23.4 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same reform sequence — Josiah commands removal and destruction of cultic vessels and images, situating v.6 within a broader temple-cleansing program.
Alternative generated candidates
- He pulled out the Asherah from the house of the LORD outside Jerusalem to the brook Kidron, and burned it there and ground it to dust, and scattered the dust on the graves of the people.
- He brought the Asherah out of the house of the LORD, outside Jerusalem, to the valley of Kidron and burned it there; he ground it to dust and threw its dust upon the graves of the common people.
2 K.23.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתץ: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- הקדשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הנשים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ארגות: PART,qal,part,3,f,pl
- שם: ADV
- בתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאשרה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:7 (quotation): Parallel account of Josiah’s reforms; virtually the same wording about demolishing the houses where women wove hangings for the Asherah.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (verbal): Hezekiah ‘cut down the Asherah’ and removed cultic objects—language and action closely parallel Josiah’s removal of Asherah-related installations.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (thematic): Lawic injunction to destroy high places, pillars and Asherim—provides the theological rationale for tearing down Asherah houses in the Deuteronomistic reform tradition.
- Judges 6:25-28 (thematic): Gideon’s demolition of an altar and cutting down of the Asherah pole is an earlier instance of destroying local Asherah worship, thematically akin to Josiah’s purges.
- 1 Kings 15:13 (thematic): King Asa’s removal of foreign altars and high places echoes the same reform impulse against Asherah and related cultic sites found in Josiah’s actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- He broke down the houses of the female cultic worshipers that were in the house of the LORD, where women wove hangings for Asherah.
- He broke down the houses of the sacred prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for Asherah.
2 K.23.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מערי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויטמא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבמות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- קטרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שמה: ADV
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מגבע: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- באר: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שבע: NUM,card
- ונתץ: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- במות: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השערים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- שמאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 23:4 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: Josiah gathers the priests and removes idolatrous priests and high places in Judah; closely related wording and sequence of reform actions.
- 2 Chronicles 34:6-7 (verbal): Parallel account of Josiah’s reforms in Chronicles: describes cleansing the high places from Bethel to Beersheba, putting down altars and Asherah poles, and removing idolatrous priests—very similar wording and scope.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (thematic): Law instructing Israel to destroy the high places, altars, and sacred stones; provides the legal/theological basis for Josiah’s removal and destruction of local shrines.
- 1 Kings 15:12-14 (thematic): King Asa’s reforms in Judah: removing foreign altars and high places and breaking down Asherah poles—an earlier royal precedent for centralized worship and elimination of local shrines.
Alternative generated candidates
- He brought out all the priests from the cities of Judah and made unclean the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the city gates which were before the entrance—those that were on the hill that belonged to Samaria.
- He brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and made unclean the high places on which the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the gateways that were before the gate by Joshua the governor, the king’s officer who was in the city gate.
2 K.23.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אך: PART
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כהני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הבמות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- אכלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בתוך: PREP
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (thematic): Law commanding centralized worship: do not offer sacrifices 'in every place' but at the place the LORD chooses, and there to eat — provides legal background for forbidding high‑place cultic officiation and requiring participation at the central altar.
- 1 Kings 12:31 (verbal): Uses the same idea/term of 'priests of the high places' (priests made for the high places); shows origin and earlier practice of appointing non‑Levitical/high‑place priests that Josiah later reforms.
- 2 Chronicles 34:3-7 (structural): Parallel account of Josiah’s reforms removing high places and idols in Judah and Jerusalem — provides the broader narrative context for 2 Kgs 23:9.
- 2 Chronicles 35:18-19 (thematic): Account of Josiah’s centralized Passover in Jerusalem, noting its uniqueness and the role of priests/Levites — parallels the outcome of Josiah’s reforms in 2 Kgs 23:9 (Passover/feasting centralized at Jerusalem).
Alternative generated candidates
- Only the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD at Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.
- But the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem; only they ate the unleavened offerings among their brethren.
2 K.23.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וטמא: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- התפת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בגי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- להעביר: VERB,hiph,inf
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ואת: CONJ
- בתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 18:21 (verbal): Explicit prohibition against giving children to Molech/’passing them through the fire’—same ritual condemned by Josiah’s action at Topheth.
- Leviticus 20:2-5 (verbal): Legal penalty for making one’s children pass through fire to Molech; reinforces the cultic practice Josiah removes and desecrates.
- Deuteronomy 12:31 (thematic): Condemns burning sons and daughters in the fire to pagan gods and instructs Israel not to imitate such abominations—thematically parallels Josiah’s cleansing of Topheth.
- 2 Kings 21:6 (verbal): Earlier account within the Deuteronomistic history reporting that kings (e.g., Manasseh) ‘made his son pass through the fire’—directly parallels the practice Josiah eliminates.
- Jeremiah 32:35 (allusion): Links Topheth/Valley of Ben‑Hinnom with child sacrifice—Jeremiah condemns the same site and practice that Josiah defiles to stop the ritual.
Alternative generated candidates
- He defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of Ben-hinnom, to prevent anyone from making his son or his daughter pass through the fire for Molech.
- He made unclean Topheth which is in the valley of Ben‑Hinnom, so that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire for Molech.
2 K.23.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הסוסים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- לשמש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- לשכת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הסריס: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בפרורים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- מרכבות: NOUN,f,pl,const
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- שרף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chron.34.7-8 (verbal): Parallel wording: Josiah removes the horses and chariots dedicated to the sun and burns the chariots of the sun with fire — a direct retelling of the same action.
- 2 Chron.34.31-33 (thematic): Part of the same reform narrative in Chronicles: Josiah purges the land and temple of idolatrous altars and cult objects, echoing the destruction and removal described in 2 Kings 23:11.
- 2 Kgs.23.4-5 (structural): Immediate context in Kings: preceding verses recount Josiah’s removal of idolatrous high-place altars and priests, framing v.11 as part of his temple reforms.
- 2 Kgs.18.4 (thematic): Hezekiah’s reform: like Josiah, Hezekiah removes royal-sanctioned cult objects (high places, sacred poles, and a serpent used in worship), providing a thematic parallel of kings eradicating unauthorized cultic items.
Alternative generated candidates
- He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun at the entrance of the house of the LORD, and brought them out from there; and he removed the chariots of the sun and burned them with fire. He carried the horses and the chariots to the chamber of Nathan-melech the eunuch, which was in the suburbs.
- He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun at the entrance of the house of the LORD, and brought them into the chamber of Nethan‑melech the chamberlain, which was in the precincts, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
2 K.23.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- המזבחות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- הגג: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עלית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אחז: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ואת: CONJ
- המזבחות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשתי: PREP+NUM,card,f,dual
- חצרות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נתץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וירץ: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- והשליך: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עפרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,pl
- אל: NEG
- נחל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 23:4 (verbal): Same reform sequence — Josiah breaks down altars associated with the house of the LORD (altars at the gate/entrance), closely parallel in language and action.
- 2 Kings 23:5 (thematic): Related removal of cultic installations given to the sun by earlier kings; part of the same temple-cleaning campaign removing objects and altars introduced by previous monarchs.
- 2 Kings 23:8 (verbal): Josiah brings out and burns idolatrous objects from the temple and disposes of them at the brook Kidron — closely parallels the disposal of altar ashes into Kidron in v.12.
- 2 Chronicles 34:4-7 (quotation): Chronicles gives a parallel retelling of Josiah’s reforms, explicitly describing removal of rooftop/temple altars, destruction of Manasseh’s installations, and disposal of the remains by the Kidron.
- 2 Kings 21:4-7 (allusion): Background account of Manasseh’s idolatrous installations in the temple (setting up altars/objects) — explains the origin of the altars Josiah destroys in ch.23.
Alternative generated candidates
- He broke down the altars that were on the roof, which Ahaz king of Judah had made; and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, the king pulled down; and he threw their dust into the brook Kidron.
- And the altars that were on the upper chamber of Ahaz which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD — the king broke them down and threw their dust into the brook Kidron.
2 K.23.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- הבמות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מימין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המשחית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעשתרת: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- שקץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צידנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולכמוש: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שקץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ולמלכם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss_3mp
- תועבת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טמא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:7 (verbal): Explicitly states that Solomon built high places for Ashtoreth, Chemosh and Molek (Molech) — the same foreign cults and high-place activity that Josiah removes in 2 Kgs 23:13.
- 2 Chronicles 34:3-7 (structural): Parallel account of Josiah’s reforms in Chronicles describing his purging of high places, altars and idolatry, including those associated with Solomon’s building activity.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-4 (thematic): God’s command to destroy the nations’ high places and not worship as they did provides the theological background and rationale for Josiah’s removal of the high places in 2 Kgs 23:13.
- 2 Kings 23:12-15 (structural): Immediate literary context within the same chapter: additional details of Josiah’s actions in tearing down high places, Topheth, and the altars associated with foreign worship, showing the broader sweep of his reform.
Alternative generated candidates
- The high places that were on the west of the hill which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites— the king defiled them.
- He defiled the high places that were on the east of Jerusalem, on the hill that Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth, the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom, the abhorrence of the people of Ammon.
2 K.23.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושבר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המצבות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ויכרת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האשרים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- וימלא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מקומם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3mp
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (verbal): Command to demolish the pagan sites: destroy their altars, break their pillars, cut down their Asherim — language and ritual action echoed in Josiah’s breaking of pillars and cutting down Asherahs.
- 2 Kings 23:6 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same reform narrative: Josiah defiles Topheth in the valley of Ben‑Hinnom to prevent child sacrifice — directly connected to filling the place with human bones.
- 2 Chronicles 34:4-7 (structural): Chronicles’ account of Josiah’s reform closely parallels 2 Kings 23: Josiah removes high places, breaks pillars, cuts down Asherahs, and defiles sites associated with child sacrifice.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (thematic): Hezekiah’s reforms: he broke the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles and broke the bronze serpent — a comparable royal purge of idolatrous symbols and cultic objects.
- Jeremiah 7:31 (allusion): Prophetic denunciation of child sacrifice at Topheth in the valley of Ben‑Hinnom; thematically linked to Josiah’s act of defiling that site and filling it with bones as an end to such practices.
Alternative generated candidates
- He broke the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherim; he filled their places with human bones.
- He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherim and filled their places with human bones.
2 K.23.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- הבמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- החטיא: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- הבמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- נתץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- וישרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הדק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעפר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אשרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 12:26-30 (allusion): The origin of the Bethel altar: Jeroboam son of Nebat sets up the golden calf/high place at Bethel, explaining the structure Josiah later destroys.
- 1 Kings 13:1-3 (verbal): A prophet denounces the Bethel altar and prophesies its collapse and ashes being poured out—language echoed by Josiah’s demolition of the altar.
- 2 Chronicles 34:4-7 (structural): Chronicles’ parallel account of Josiah’s reforms includes the demolition of the Bethel high place and burning of the Asherah, retelling the same episode.
- 2 Kings 10:26-27 (thematic): Jehu’s purge of Baal worship (tearing down altars and destroying cultic objects) parallels Josiah’s iconoclastic reforming actions against idolatrous shrines.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (thematic): The Deuteronomic injunction to demolish high places, break pillars, and burn Asherim provides the legal/theological rationale behind Josiah’s destruction of Bethel’s altar and Asherah.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also the altar at Bethel, the high place that Jeroboam son of Nebat had made, which had caused Israel to sin— even that altar and the high place he tore down and burned; he ground it to dust and burned the Asherah.
- Also the altar at Bethel, the high place that Jeroboam son of Nebat had made, who caused Israel to sin — that altar and high place he broke down; he burned the high place, ground it to dust, and burned the Asherah.
2 K.23.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יאשיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הקברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שם: ADV
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העצמות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- מן: PREP
- הקברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וישרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויטמאהו: VERB,piel,perf,3,m,sg
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kings 13:2 (quotation): The original prophecy spoken by 'the man of God' predicting that a future king (named in the prophecy as Josiah) would defile the altar by burning human bones on it; 2 Kgs 23:16 cites fulfillment of this oracle.
- 1 Kings 13:31-34 (quotation): The fuller episode of the man of God and the prophetic announcement concerning the altar and the future desecration by human bones; provides narrative and prophetic background for the action in 2 Kgs 23:16.
- 2 Chronicles 34:5-7 (structural): Parallel account of Josiah's reform in Chronicles that recounts his removal of idolatrous practices and the desecration/destruction of high-place altars, including burning of bones—a structural retelling of the same act reported in 2 Kgs 23:16.
- 2 Chronicles 34:6 (verbal): A more specific verbal parallel in Chronicles describing bringing out bones from graves and burning them on the altars, closely mirroring the language and action of 2 Kgs 23:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Josiah turned and saw the tombs that were there on the hill, and he sent and took the bones out of the tombs, and burned them on the altar, and defiled it, according to the word of the man of God who had proclaimed these things.
- When Josiah turned and saw the tombs there on the mount, he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar, and defiled it, in accordance with the word of the LORD that the man of God had proclaimed who had declared these things.
2 K.23.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- הציון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הלז: PRON,dem,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הקבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מיהודה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
Parallels
- 1 Kings 13:1-32 (quotation): The full narrative of the 'man of God from Judah' who prophesied against the altar at Bethel, was deceived by the false prophet, killed by a lion, and buried — the event to which 2 Kgs 23:17 refers.
- 1 Kings 13:32 (verbal): Explicit statement that 'the tomb of the man of God' remained at Bethel to that day — the same tomb identified by the townsmen in 2 Kgs 23:17.
- 2 Chronicles 34:6-7 (quotation): Parallel account in the Chronicler's history: Josiah asks about a memorial-stone and is told it is the tomb of the man of God from Judah who spoke against the Bethel altar (close verbal and structural agreement).
- 2 Kings 23:15-16 (structural): Immediate context in Kings: Josiah dismantles the altar at Bethel and removes the idolatrous objects and bones, prompting the question about the monument/tomb described in v.17.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, “What is this monument that I see?” The men of the city said to him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things about the altar at Bethel.”
- He said, “What is this monument?” And the men of the city said, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar at Bethel.”
2 K.23.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הניחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ינע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עצמתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וימלטו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- עצמתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משמרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2Chron.34.7-8 (verbal): Parallel account of Josiah’s reform that uses nearly identical language about leaving alone and not moving the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria; a close structural and verbal parallel to 2 Kgs 23:18.
- 2Kgs.13.21 (thematic): Narrative about a dead man revived when he touched the bones of Elisha — connects thematically to the special status and perceived power or sanctity of prophets’ bones and the care taken over their remains.
- 1Kgs.13.31-32 (structural): Story of the burial of the 'man of God' in his tomb by an old prophet’s sons; structurally parallels concerns about burial and treatment of a prophet’s body and bones.
- Acts 19.11-12 (thematic): New Testament example of objects associated with a holy man (Paul) believed to carry healing power (handkerchiefs/aprons); thematically parallels reverence for prophetic remains and belief in their continuing efficacy.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said, “Leave him; let his bones not be disturbed.” So they left his bones and the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
- He said, “Let him alone; let no man move his bones.” So they let his bones remain undisturbed; the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria were left there.
2 K.23.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- הבמות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בערי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להכעיס: VERB,hiphil,inf
- הסיר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יאשיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ככל: PREP
- המעשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
Parallels
- 2 Kings 23:15-16 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: verses describing Josiah’s removal and destruction of the high place at Bethel, which this verse explicitly cites as the pattern for actions in Samaria’s cities.
- 2 Chronicles 34:6-7 (verbal): Chronicles’ retelling of Josiah’s reforms recounts removing high places and altars throughout Judah in language and actions parallel to 2 Kings 23:19.
- 1 Kings 12:28-33 (thematic): Describes Jeroboam’s establishment of shrines/high places in Bethel and Dan (Samaria region) that provoked Yahweh—background for why Josiah later removes such sites.
- 1 Kings 13:1-2 (allusion): A prophetic denunciation of the altar at Bethel as a sin for Israel parallels the motif of high places as illicit cult centers that Josiah abolishes.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-4 (thematic): Law prescribes destroying the high places of the nations and avoiding imitation of their worship—provides the theological rationale for removing high places as Josiah does.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover Josiah removed all the high places of the cities of Samaria that the kings of Israel had made, to provoke the LORD; and he did to them according to all the acts that he had done at Bethel.
- Moreover Josiah removed all the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD, and he did to them as he had done at Bethel.
2 K.23.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזבח: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- כהני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הבמות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שם: ADV
- על: PREP
- המזבחות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וישרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- עצמות: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 34:6-7 (quotation): Parallel account of Josiah’s reform — he defiled the high places, had the bones of priests burned on the altars; essentially the same action reported in a second biblical chronicle.
- 2 Kings 23:19 (structural): Immediate context in the same chapter — Josiah defiles Topheth and purges sites of child sacrifice; v.20 continues the same program of purging illicit worship.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (thematic): Hezekiah’s reform: removal of high places, breaking of pillars and cutting down Asherah poles — a similar royal purge of local sanctuaries and their officiants.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (structural): Deuteronomic law directing Israel to destroy foreign altars and pillars and to cut down Asherim — the legal/ideological background for Josiah’s destruction of high places and their priests.
Alternative generated candidates
- He slaughtered the priests of the high places who were there on the altars and burned human bones on them; then he returned to Jerusalem.
- He slaughtered the priests of the high places who were there upon the altars, burned human bones upon them and returned to Jerusalem.
2 K.23.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פסח: ADJ,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- ככתוב: ADV
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הברית: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 16:1-8 (verbal): Gives the legal prescription for observing the Passover (time, removal of leaven, place of sacrifice); the king's command to keep the Passover 'as written in the book of the covenant' alludes to these laws.
- Exodus 12:1-14 (thematic): The foundational institution of the Passover (origins, purpose, and ritual observance) that underlies later prescriptions and national renewals like Josiah's.
- 2 Chronicles 35:1-19 (structural): Parallel narrative account of Josiah's Passover with overlapping language and expanded detail; Chronicles records the same reformist celebration and its scope.
- 2 Kings 23:22 (structural): Immediate continuation in Kings reporting that the people observed the Passover as commanded and summarizing the positive outcome of the reform.
- 2 Chronicles 30:1-27 (thematic): Hezekiah's earlier nationwide Passover renewal serves as a precedent for Josiah's reforms and public observance of the festival.
Alternative generated candidates
- The king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God as it is written in this book of the covenant.”
- The king commanded all the people, “Observe the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.”
2 K.23.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- נעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- כפסח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- מימי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- השפטים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שפטו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומלכי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 35:18 (verbal): A near-verbatim parallel celebrating Josiah’s Passover as unparalleled in Israel’s history; Chronicles repeats the claim that no such Passover had been kept since earlier times.
- 2 Kings 23:21 (structural): Immediate context: the decree commanding the people to keep the Passover according to the book of the covenant, which explains the basis for the extraordinary nature of this Passover.
- Exodus 12:14 (thematic): Foundational law instituting the Passover as a lasting ordinance; Josiah’s celebration is noteworthy because it restores observance of this foundational rite.
- Deuteronomy 16:1-8 (thematic): Prescribes the time and manner of Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread; Josiah’s observance is described as conforming to the requirements found in the covenantal law.
- Leviticus 23:5-8 (thematic): Sets out the appointed festival calendar including Passover and the seven-day unleavened bread observance that Josiah reinstated and celebrated in extraordinary fashion.
Alternative generated candidates
- Neither had such a Passover been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and of the kings of Judah.
- For no such Passover had been kept from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and of the kings of Judah.
2 K.23.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- 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
- נעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- הפסח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 35:18 (structural): Parallel account in Chronicles stating that Josiah kept the Passover in the eighteenth year of his reign; same event recounted from another historical tradition.
- 2 Kings 23:21–22 (structural): Immediate context in Kings describing the preparations and the exceptional nature of this Passover ('there was no Passover like it'), directly connected to v.23.
- Deuteronomy 16:1–8 (thematic): Prescribes the timing and requirements for observing the Passover and Unleavened Bread—provides the legal/ritual background for Josiah’s national observance.
- Exodus 12:14 (thematic): Institutes the Passover as a perpetual memorial for Israel, giving theological foundation for periodic national celebration such as Josiah’s Passover.
Alternative generated candidates
- It was kept in the eighteenth year of King Josiah that this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem.
- It was observed in the eighteenth year of King Josiah.
2 K.23.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- האבות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הידענים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- התרפים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הגללים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- השקצים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נראו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ובירושלם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאשיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למען: PREP
- הקים: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הכתבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חלקיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chron.34.33 (structural): Direct parallel account in Chronicles of Josiah's reforms: removal of idolatrous objects and renewal of the covenant after the book found by Hilkiah—same action and theological purpose.
- 2 Kgs.22.8-13 (structural): Immediate narrative precursor: Hilkiah finds the book of the law and its reading prompts Josiah's reform measures described in 23:24 (explains motivation and source of the reforms).
- Deut.12.2-3 (verbal): Law commanding destruction of local high places, altars, pillars and Asherim; language and intent closely match Josiah's demolition of foreign cultic sites to enforce the law.
- Exod.32.19-20 (thematic): Moses' destruction of the golden calf—burning and humiliating the idol (grinding/consuming) is thematically parallel to Josiah's eradication of idols and cultic objects.
- 2 Kgs.18.4 (verbal): Hezekiah's reform language (removed high places, broke sacred pillars, cut down Asherim) echoes the same verbs and actions used of Josiah's cleansing of Judah and Jerusalem.
Alternative generated candidates
- He put away the mediums and necromancers and household gods and idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem; he did this to fulfill the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.
- He also removed the mediums and spiritists, the teraphim and the household idols and all the detestable things that were found in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, to fulfill the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.
2 K.23.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכמהו: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- נפשו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובכל: CONJ+PREP
- מאדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ככל: PREP
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואחריו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- קם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כמהו: PRT+PRON,3,ms
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 6:5 (verbal): Uses the identical formula 'with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might' (Hebrew: בכל־לבבך ובכל־נפשך ובכל־מאדך); Josiah's devotion is cast in the language of the Shema's command to love/serve YHWH wholeheartedly.
- Joshua 22:5 (verbal): Joshua exhorts the tribes to 'love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments and to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,' echoing the same wholehearted, covenantal obedience attributed to Josiah.
- Deuteronomy 30:6 (verbal): Promise that God will 'circumcise your heart' so that you will 'love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,' reinforcing the theological ideal of full-hearted return/commitment reflected in Josiah's reign.
- 2 Chronicles 34:2-3 (structural): Chronicles retells Josiah's reform: he 'did what was right in the eyes of the LORD' and 'sought God' in ways that parallel and expand the Kings account, presenting the same theme of exceptional, law‑centered devotion.
- 1 Samuel 13:14 (thematic): Describes David as 'a man after God's own heart'; thematically parallels the characterization of Josiah as uniquely devoted to YHWH—both portray ideal kingship defined by wholehearted fidelity to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- There was no king like him before him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.
- Neither before nor after did any king arise like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.
2 K.23.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אך: PART
- לא: PART_NEG
- שב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מחרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- חרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- ביהודה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- הכעסים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הכעיסו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
- מנשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 21:12-15 (verbal): Explicit earlier statement that Manasseh’s abominations provoked the LORD and that judgment (destruction of Judah) would follow — the source of the ‘great wrath’ mentioned in 2 Kgs 23:26.
- 2 Chronicles 33:11-13 (allusion): Chronicles recounts Manasseh’s evil, his captivity, and later repentance; it treats the same events behind Kings’ statement but emphasizes repentance and divine response, offering a contrasting perspective to the unrelieved wrath in 2 Kgs 23:26.
- Ezekiel 8:18 (thematic): Ezekiel condemns Jerusalem’s abominations and says they have provoked God to anger so that His eye will not spare — similar language and theme of communal provocation bringing divine fury.
- Psalm 106:34-36 (thematic): Psalm recounts Israel’s idolatrous mingling with nations and how such provocations led to God’s judgment — parallels the idea that Manasseh’s idolatry provoked God’s anger against Judah.
- Psalm 78:59-61 (thematic): Psalm 78 depicts God’s wrath kindled against Israel because of repeated provocations; thematically echoes the collective consequences of ancestral sins referenced in 2 Kgs 23:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet the LORD would not turn from the fierceness of his great anger, with which his wrath burned against Judah because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him.
- Nevertheless the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger burned against Judah because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him.
2 K.23.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אסיר: VERB,hiph,impf,1,_,sg
- מעל: PREP
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כאשר: CONJ
- הסרתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומאסתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בחרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1cs
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- 2 Kings 17:20-23 (verbal): Earlier account of God removing Israel from his presence because of their sins—explicit precedent referenced in 2 Kgs 23:27 (“as I removed Israel”).
- Jeremiah 7:14 (verbal): Similar wording about casting out the people and abandoning the house and city God had chosen/declared as carrying his name (“I will cast you out of my sight… the house that is called by my name”).
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-21 (thematic): Retells Judah’s rejection, God’s sending of Babylon, and the destruction/exile of Jerusalem and the temple—fulfillment of the threat to remove Judah and cast off the city chosen by God.
- Deuteronomy 28:63-64 (thematic): Covenantal warning that disobedience will bring disaster and exile—God will scatter/drive the people from the land, echoing the threat to remove Judah and abandon the chosen city.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also from my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will reject this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and will cast off this house that I said, ‘My name shall be there.’”
- And the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also from my sight, as I have removed Israel; and I will reject this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house about which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’”
2 K.23.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- יאשיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הלא: PART
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למלכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Kings 23:31 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same chapter using the same closing formula — 'the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah' applied to Jehoahaz.
- 2 Kings 23:37 (verbal): Another instance in Kings where a king's reign is closed with the identical formula recording 'the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah' (here of Jehoiakim).
- 1 Kings 2:11 (verbal): Same structural closing statement about 'the rest of the acts' of a king being written elsewhere (here referring readers to the book of Samuel) — a recurring historiographical formula.
- 1 Kings 14:19 (verbal): Parallel closing formula for another Judahite king (Rehoboam), using the phrasing that directs readers to the book/chronicles for the remainder of the king's acts.
- 2 Chronicles 35:27 (structural): Chronicles’ parallel account of Josiah’s reign and death provides a corresponding closing summary of his deeds; Chronicles often echoes Kings’ formulae or supplies complementary documentary references about a king's acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- The rest of the acts of Josiah and all his ways, first and last, are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah.
- 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?
2 K.23.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בימיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פרעה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נכה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אשור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- נהר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- פרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יאשיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקראתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m
- וימיתהו: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg,clit:3,m,sg
- במגדו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כראתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 35:20-24 (quotation): Parallel account of Pharaoh Neco's encounter with Josiah at Megiddo; Chronicles repeats the core event and supplies overlapping details about Josiah's wounding and death.
- 2 Kings 23:30 (structural): Immediate continuation of the narrative: describes Josiah being carried from Megiddo to Jerusalem and his death/burial, completing the episode begun in 23:29.
- Judges 5:19 (thematic): Deborah's song mentions fighting at the waters of Megiddo; thematically connects Megiddo as a recurring site of decisive battles and slaughter in Israel's history.
- Joshua 12:21 (thematic): Lists the king of Megiddo among the defeated Canaanite rulers; underscores Megiddo's long-standing role as a major battlefield in biblical tradition.
Alternative generated candidates
- In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went out to meet him, and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo when he saw him.
- In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the king of Assyria by the river Euphrates. King Josiah went out to meet him, and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo when he met him.
2 K.23.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירכבהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- ממגדו: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg,abs
- ויבאהו: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,3,mp
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויקברהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl,obj=3m
- בקברתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- יהואחז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאשיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימשחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- וימליכו: VERB,hiph,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- תחת: PREP
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chron.35.23-24 (quotation): Parallel retelling of Josiah’s wounding at Megiddo, his being brought to Jerusalem, death and burial — Chronicles repeats the same episode as Kings.
- 2 Kgs.23.29 (verbal): Immediate narrative context in Kings: describes Pharaoh Necho’s attack and Josiah’s fatal encounter at Megiddo that leads into v.30’s burial account.
- 2 Chron.36.1-3 (allusion): Parallel account of the succession: the people anointing Josiah’s son (called Shallum/Jehoahaz) as king and the political aftermath (his short reign and removal by Egypt).
- 2 Kgs.23.33-34 (structural): Continues the same episode in Kings: Pharaoh Neco deposes Jehoahaz, sets Eliakim (Jehoiakim) as king, and takes Jehoahaz captive — directly related to v.30’s mention of Jehoahaz’s anointing.
Alternative generated candidates
- His servants carried him in a chariot from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem, and he was buried in his own tomb. The people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and made him king in the place of his father.
- His servants carried him in a chariot from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem, and they buried him in his own tomb. The people took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and anointed him and made him king in his father's place.
And the king sent and gathered to him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
The king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah and all who lived in Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets and all the people, from the least to the greatest; and he read to them all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.
The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to walk after the LORD, to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and with all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant written in this book; and all the people stood to the covenant.
The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of his divisions and the gatekeepers to bring out of the house of the LORD all the vessels that had been made for Baal and for Asherah and for the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.
He put away the priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem; he removed those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.
He brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley and burned it there; he ground it to dust and threw the dust on the graves of the common people.
He broke down the quarters in the house of the LORD where the women wove hangings for Asherah.
He brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and made unclean the high places where the priests burned incense—from Geba to Beersheba—and he tore down the high places at the city gates that stood before the gatekeepers. But the priests of the high places did not enter the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem; they ate the consecrated bread among their brothers.
He defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no one could make his son or his daughter pass through the fire to Molech.
He removed from the house of the LORD the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance of the house of the LORD; and he brought out the chariot of the sun from there to the chamber of Nathan‑melech the chamberlain, which was in the precincts, and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
He broke down the altars on the roof that Ahaz had made, and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD; the king threw their dust into the Kidron.
The high places on the east of the hill that Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth, for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the people of Ammon—he defiled them.
He broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim, and filled their places with human bones.
Likewise he did to the altar at Bethel, the high place that Jeroboam son of Nebat had made, who caused Israel to sin—both that altar and the high place he broke down; he burned the high place, ground it to dust, and burned the Asherah.
Then Josiah turned and saw the tombs that were there on the hill; and he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had announced these things.
He said, “What is that monument I see?” And the men of the city told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you did to the altar at Bethel.”
He said, “Leave him; let no one move his bones.” So they left his bones with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria. And Josiah did away with all the high places of the cities of Samaria that the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD; he acted toward them as he had done at Bethel.
He slaughtered all the priests of the high places who were there on the altars, and burned human bones on them, and returned to Jerusalem.
The king commanded all the people, “Observe the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”
No such Passover had been kept in Israel since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and of the kings of Judah;
but in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover to the LORD was kept in Jerusalem.
Moreover Josiah put away the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and the teraphim, the carved images and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so that he might fulfill the words of the law that were written in the book which Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD.
Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and after him there arose no king like him.
Yet the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger burned against Judah because of all the provocations that Manasseh had caused him to anger. And the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also from my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will reject this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house I said I would put my name upon, I will cast out of my sight.”
The rest of the acts of Josiah and all his deeds, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the king of Assyria to the River Euphrates, and King Josiah went out to meet him; and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo when he met him.
His servants carried him dead from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem, and he was buried in his tomb; and the people made Jehoahaz son of Josiah king in his place.