2 Kings 23: Josiah's covenant, his reform, the Passover, and his death at Megiddo
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
Josiah reads all the words of the book of the covenant to the people in Yahweh's house, and he makes a covenant before Yahweh, and all the people stand to it. He brings out of the temple everything made for Baal, for Asherah and for the army of the sky, removes the idol priests, makes the high places unclean from Geba to Beersheba and Topheth in the valley of Hinnom, breaks down the altar at Bethel and burns bones on it as the man of God had proclaimed, kills the priests of the high places in the cities of Samaria, and keeps a Passover like none since the days of the judges. Yet Yahweh does not turn from his anger over Manasseh; Pharaoh Necoh kills Josiah at Megiddo, takes away his son Jehoahaz after three months, and makes Eliakim king, changing his name to Jehoiakim.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. God's own words are in 1 of the 37 verses: verse 27, where the narrator gives what Yahweh said, "I will also remove Judah out of my sight". Josiah speaks in verses 17, 18 and 21, and the men of the city answer him in verse 17. Verse 16, that this was done according to Yahweh's word that the man of God proclaimed, and verse 26, that Yahweh did not turn from his anger, are the narrator's words. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1The king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
In plain English: Then the king sent word, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
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2The king went up to Yahweh’s house, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him—with the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in Yahweh’s house.
In plain English: The king went up to Yahweh's house, and with him all the men of Judah and all who lived in Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets and all the people, from the least to the greatest (this Bible: both small and great). He read aloud in their hearing (literally: in their ears) all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in Yahweh's house.
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3The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before Yahweh to walk after Yahweh and to keep his commandments, his testimonies, and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people agreed to the covenant.
In plain English: The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant (literally: cut the covenant) before Yahweh, to follow Yahweh and to keep his commandments, his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out (this Bible: confirm) the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took their stand in (this Bible: agreed to) the covenant.
Good to know: When Joash was made king, he "stood by the pillar, as the tradition was" (). The text does not say which pillar this was.
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4The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of Yahweh’s temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, for the Asherah, and for all the army of the sky; and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.
In plain English: The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second rank (this Bible: order) and the doorkeepers (this Bible: keepers of the threshold) to bring out of Yahweh's temple all the objects (this Bible: vessels) made for Baal, for Asherah and for all the army of the sky. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes (literally: their dust) to Bethel.
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5He got rid of the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the planets, and to all the army of the sky.
In plain English: He put an end to (this Bible: got rid of) the idol priests (see the note) whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places around Jerusalem, and also those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the planets (or: the constellations) and to all the army of the sky.
The Hebrew words: "The idol priests" is kemarim, which the dictionary gives as "an idolatrous priest". It is in only 3 verses of the Bible: here, and . "The planets" is mazzalot, which the dictionary gives as "a constellation, i.e. Zodiacal sign"; it is in only this verse, and the old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "Mazuroth".
Good to know: On "the army of the sky", see the note on . Here the text names the sun, the moon and the planets next to it.
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6He brought out the Asherah from Yahweh’s house, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common people.
In plain English: He brought the Asherah out of Yahweh's house, outside Jerusalem, to the brook (or: valley) Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron. He ground it to dust and threw its dust on the graves of the common people (literally: of the sons of the people).
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7He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes that were in Yahweh’s house, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.
In plain English: He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes (see the note) that were in Yahweh's house, where the women wove hangings (literally: houses; see the note) for the Asherah.
The Hebrew word: "Male shrine prostitutes" is qadesh, the word explained in the note on . "Hangings" is word for word "houses", and the old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "where the women wove tents for the grove". The text does not say what the women wove.
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8He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city.
In plain English: He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and made unclean (this Bible: defiled) the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba. He broke down the high places of the gates (or, reading a look-alike word: of the goat idols; see the note) that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, on a person's left at the city gate.
The Hebrew word: "Gates" is she'arim, which the dictionary gives as "an opening, i.e. door or gate". It looks almost the same as se'irim, the word for he-goats that uses for "goat idols" and for "the male goat ... idols".
What changes: Read as the Hebrew prints it, and as the STEPBible meaning and Brenton have it, these were high places at the gates of the city. Read with the look-alike word, they would be high places of the goat idols. The text here does not say more.
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9Nevertheless the priests of the high places didn’t come up to Yahweh’s altar in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.
In plain English: But the priests of the high places did not come up to Yahweh's altar in Jerusalem; instead they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.
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10He defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.
In plain English: He made unclean Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom (or: the son of Hinnom), so that no one could make his son or his daughter pass through the fire to Molech.
Good to know: Topheth is in 8 verses of the Bible, and the dictionary gives it only as "a place near Jerusalem". says people built "the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire"; see the note on the valley at . On Molech and the words "pass through the fire", see the note on , which gives the readings.
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11He took away the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance of Yahweh’s house, by the room of Nathan Melech the officer who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
In plain English: He removed the horses that the kings of Judah had given (this Bible: dedicated) to the sun, at the entrance of Yahweh's house, by the room of Nathan Melech the official (or: the eunuch), which was in the Parbar (this Bible: who was in the court; see the note). And he burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
Good to know: "The court" here is parbar, which the dictionary gives as "a quarter of Jerusalem". The text does not say more about it. "The officer" is saris, the word in the note on .
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12The king broke down the altars that were on the roof of the upper room of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of Yahweh’s house, and beat them down from there, and cast their dust into the brook Kidron.
In plain English: The king broke down the altars on the roof of the upper room of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courtyards of Yahweh's house. He beat them down from there (or: he hurried from there) and threw their dust into the brook Kidron.
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13The king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption, which Solomon the 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 children of Ammon.
In plain English: The king made unclean the high places that faced Jerusalem (literally: were on the face of Jerusalem), on the right (or: the south) of the Mount of Corruption (or: of Destruction), which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the disgusting thing (this Bible: abomination) of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the disgusting thing of Moab, and for Milcom the disgusting thing of the children of Ammon.
Good to know: These are the high places that Solomon built "on the mountain that is before Jerusalem" (). "Corruption" is mashchit, which the dictionary gives as "destructive", "destruction".
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14He broke in pieces the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and filled their places with men’s bones.
In plain English: He broke in pieces the sacred stones (this Bible: pillars), cut down the Asherah poles, and filled their places with human bones.
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15Moreover the altar that was at Bethel and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and beat it to dust, and burned the Asherah.
In plain English: Also the altar at Bethel and the high place made by Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: that altar and the high place he broke down too. He burned the high place and ground it to dust, and he burned the Asherah.
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16As Josiah turned himself, he spied the tombs that were there in the mountain; and he sent, and took the bones out of the tombs, and burned them on the altar, and defiled it, according to Yahweh’s word which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things.
In plain English: As Josiah turned, he saw the tombs that were there on the mountain. He sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar, and made it unclean, according to Yahweh's word that the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these things.
Good to know: In the man of God from Judah cried against the altar at Bethel, "Behold, a son will be born to David's house, Josiah by name. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and they will burn men's bones on you." The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has more words in this verse: "when Jeroboam stood by the altar at the feast".
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17Then he said, “What monument is that which I see?” The men of the city told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel.”
In plain English: Then he said, "What is that marker (this Bible: monument) that I see?" The men of the city told him, "It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel."
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18He said, “Let him be! Let no one move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.
In plain English: He said, "Let him be. Let no one move his bones." So they left his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.
Good to know: The old prophet of asked his sons to bury him in the man of God's tomb: "Lay my bones beside his bones."
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19All the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke Yahweh to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.
In plain English: Josiah also took away all the houses of the high places in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to make Yahweh angry, and he did to them all that he had done at Bethel.
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20He killed all the priests of the high places that were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem.
In plain English: He killed (or: sacrificed; see the note) all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned human bones on them. Then he went back to Jerusalem.
The Hebrew word: "Killed" is zabach, which the dictionary gives as "to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)". This Bible says "sacrifice" or a longer form in 117 of the 127 verses that use it. It is the word in : "On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places", and the old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "he sacrificed all the priests" here.
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21The king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.”
In plain English: The king commanded all the people, saying, "Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant."
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22Surely there was not kept such a Passover from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;
In plain English: For no Passover like this had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah,
Good to know: to tells of this Passover at length, and says, "There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet".
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23but in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was kept to Yahweh in Jerusalem.
In plain English: but in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to Yahweh in Jerusalem.
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24Moreover, Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in Yahweh’s house.
In plain English: Josiah also removed (or: burned up) those who call up the dead (this Bible: had familiar spirits), the wizards, the teraphim, the idols, and all the disgusting things (this Bible: abominations) that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so that he might carry out (this Bible: confirm) the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in Yahweh's house.
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25There was no king like him before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose after him.
In plain English: There was no king like him before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, with all his soul and with all his strength (this Bible: might), according to all the law of Moses; and none like him arose after him.
Good to know: "With all his heart, with all his soul and with all his might" are the words of : "You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might." Of Hezekiah, says "after him was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among them that were before him". The text does not explain how these fit together.
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26Notwithstanding, Yahweh didn’t turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocation with which Manasseh had provoked him.
In plain English: Yet Yahweh did not turn from the heat (this Bible: fierceness) of his great anger, which burned against Judah, because of all the things by which Manasseh had made him angry.
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27Yahweh said, “I will also remove Judah out of my sight, as I have removed Israel; and I will cast off this city which I have chosen, even Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’”God speaks
In plain English: Yahweh said, "I will also remove Judah out of my sight (literally: from before my face), as I have removed Israel. I will reject (this Bible: cast off) this city that I chose, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, 'My name will be there.'"
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28Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
In plain English: 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?
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29In his days Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates; and King Josiah went against him, but Pharaoh Necoh killed him at Megiddo when he saw him.
In plain English: In his days Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt went up against (or: to; see the note) the king of Assyria, to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went to meet him (this Bible: went against him), and Pharaoh Necoh killed him at Megiddo when he saw him.
The Hebrew word: "Against" is al, which the dictionary gives as "above, over, upon, or against"; it is the same word as "to" in "to the river Euphrates" in this verse.
What changes: Read as "against", Necoh went up to fight the king of Assyria. Read as "to", he went up to the king of Assyria, and the text does not say why. Either way, Josiah went to meet Necoh, and Necoh killed him.
Good to know: to tells more: Neco sent word, "What have I to do with you, you king of Judah?"; Josiah "disguised himself, that he might fight with him"; archers shot at him, and he died after he was brought to Jerusalem. Here the text says only that Necoh killed him at Megiddo when he saw him.
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30His servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place.
In plain English: His servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, anointed him and made him king in his father's place.
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31Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
In plain English: Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
Good to know: The text does not say whether this Jeremiah of Libnah is the prophet; calls the prophet "the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth". speaks of "Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father"; 2 Kings does not use the name Shallum for a son of Josiah.
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32He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done.
In plain English: He did what was evil in Yahweh's eyes, as all his fathers had done.
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33Pharaoh Necoh put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
In plain English: Pharaoh Necoh put him in chains (this Bible: in bonds) at Riblah in the land of Hamath, so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he laid on the land a fine (this Bible: tribute) of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
Good to know: These are the text's own numbers, and gives the same. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "a hundred talents of gold".
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34Pharaoh Necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim; but he took Jehoahaz away, and he came to Egypt and died there.
In plain English: Pharaoh Necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away, and Jehoahaz came to Egypt and died there.
Good to know: The text gives no reason for the new name. tells of another name changed by a foreign king: Mattaniah to Zedekiah.
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35Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, from everyone according to his assessment, to give it to Pharaoh Necoh.
In plain English: Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land to give the money as Pharaoh commanded (literally: by the mouth of Pharaoh). He took (this Bible: exacted) the silver and the gold from the people of the land, from each one according to what he was valued at (this Bible: his assessment), to give it to Pharaoh Necoh.
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36Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
In plain English: Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah (or: Zebudah), the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
Good to know: The Hebrew letters here spell Zebidah, the name this Bible prints; the STEPBible meaning for this verse gives "Zebudah".
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37He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done.
In plain English: He did what was evil in Yahweh's eyes, as all his fathers had done.
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