2 Crônicas 34
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 34
NJB (LXX versing) Josiah Succeeds Amon in Judah Josiah Reigns in Judah The Good Reign of Josiah King Josiah in Judah Accession of Josiah 34:1-7 34:1-7 34:1-7 34:1-2 34:1-2 Josiah Attacks Pagan Worship The First Reforms 34:3-7 34:3-7 Josiah Reforms the Temple Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law Josiah's Reforms and Finding the Book of the Law The Book of the Law Is Discovered Work on the Temple 34:8-13 34:8-13 34:8-13 34:8-13 34:8-11 34:12-13 Hilkiah Discovers Lost Book of the Law The Book of the Law Discovered 34:14-18 34:14-18 34:14-18 34:14-18 34:14-18 34:19-21 34:19-21 34:19-21 34:19-28a 34:19-21 Huldah, the Prophetess Speaks Huldah the Prophetess Is Consulted 34:22-28 34:22-28 34:22-28 34:22-28 34:28b Josiah Makes A Covenant to Obey the Lord The Renewal of the Covenant 34:29-30 34:29-33 34:29-33 34:29-33 34:29-32a 34:31-33 34:32b-33 Etc.
2 Crônicas 34:1-7
34:1 "eight years old" There are several time designators in this chapter. eight years old, v. 1 in the eighth year of his reign, v. 3 in the twelfth year of his reign, v. 3 in the eighteenth year of his reign, v. 8 SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF THE DIVIDED KINGDOM The IVP Bible Background Commentary (OT), p. 457, puts Josiah's reign (640-609 b.c.) in historical context. At the death of Ashurbanipal (669-603 b.c.), the Assyrian Empire began to lose power and control of the ANE. By Josiah's time, two Egyptian Pharaoh's impacted Judah. Psammetichus I (Psamtik, 663-609 b.c.) Neco II (609-593 b.c.); the one who passed through Judah to fight Assyria and in the conflict Josiah is fatally wounded (for a good brief note on the tragedy of Josiah's death, see Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 245-246) In the rising power of Neo-Babylon, Nabopolassar (626-605 b.c.) was in control. CHART: A BRIEF HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE POWERS OF MESOPOTAMIA (using dates primarily from John Bright's A History of Israel, p. 462ff) 34:2 Notice how Josiah's reign is characterized. He did right in the sight of the Lord. He walked in the ways of his father David. He did not turn aside to the right or left (this idiom denotes conformity to God's revealed laws, cf. Deut. 5:32; 17:11,20; 28:14; Josh. 1:7; 23:6; Pro. 25:25-27; 2 Kgs. 22:2). The Chronicler spends much of his writings on David, Solomon, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. These kings demonstrated the power of obedience and devotion. Their lives were to be emulated by post-exilic Judah. 34:3 Josiah's personal faith developed early. He began to seek the God of his father, David; see full note on VERB at 2 Chr. 7:14 (eighth year, v. 3). He began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry (twelfth year, vv. 3-7). he destroyed high places, vv. 3,4,7 he destroyed Asherim, vv. 3-4,7 he destroyed the carved images, vv. 3-4 he destroyed the molten images, vv. 3-4 he destroyed the incense altars, vv. 4,7 he desecrated the graves of idol worshipers, v. 4 he desecrated the bones of the pagan priests on their altars, v. 5 (cf. 1 Kings 13) None of the previous attempts at spiritual reform worked (i.e., 2 Chr. 14:5; 15:17; 17:6; 20:37; 33:15-17). The people of God had become completely and irreversibly entangled with Canaanite fertility worship. The Assyrian and Babylonian exiles were YHWH's drastic measures to restore pure worship. They were an act of His love, as well as an act of His judgment. SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL'S MANDATED RESPONSE TO CANAANITE FERTILITY WORSHIP 34:4 "incense altars" In the past the Hebrew word (BDB 329) was translated "son-pillars" (i.e., BDB 329; John Joseph Owens, Analytical Key to the OT, p. 921, and Rotherham's Emphasized Bible, p. 465. However, modern archaeology says that this term means "incense altar" (cf. Lev. 26:30; 2 Chr. 14:5; 34:4,7; Isa. 17:8; 27:9). R. K. Harrison, Old Testament Times, p, 8, discusses this archaeological find from Palmyra, northern Syria, found on a horned limestone altar. I like R. K. Harrison so much because he relates the OT to the ANE. Two other persons I trust who do the same thing are John H. Walton, Ancient Israelite Literature in Its Cultural Context and The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate and Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the OT: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic together, #1 and #2 wrote, The Lost World of Scripture: Ancient Literary Culture and Biblical Authority I highly recommend all three authors who take the historical and literary setting of Scripture seriously! 34:6 The northern kingdom had been defeated and exiled to Assyria since 722 b.c. (Manasseh's reign). Josiah extends his purge and reform to the northern tribes. The "remnant of Israel" is mentioned in 2 Chr. 34:9. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT, THREE SENSES "Simeon" It is surprising that the tribe of Simeon is mentioned here. Simeon was incorporated into Judah very early. Simeon is not mentioned at all in Samuel and Kings. It is mentioned briefly in lists in 1 Chronicles (cf. 1 Chr. 2:1; 4:24,42; 6:65; 12:25). It is mentioned only twice in 2 Chronicles, both in connection with reforms (i.e., Asa's, 2 Chr. 15:9 and Josiah's, 2 Chr. 34:9). "in their surrounding ruins" "and all around, with axes" "in their ruins all around" "and the devastated areas" "and around their open spaces" "(lying) in ruins on every side" "he burnt down their houses wherever he found them" "in reference to their sites round about" "in their streets round about" Rotherham's Bible "searched their houses round about" MT Ketiv has "he chose their houses"; the Qere has "with their swords" or "in their ruins." The UBS Text Project, p. 484, gives the MT a "C" rating (considerable doubt). The context is Josiah's destruction of idols and idol worship. Apparently this different phrase refers to a search for these abominations in public (i.e., in the square, NJB) and private homes (i.e., REB, Rotherham's Bible). Josephus, Antiq. 10.4.5., mentions this house-to-house search for idols. Martin J. Selman, Tyndale OT Commentaries, p. 529, suggests the phrase means "destroyed their temples," following I. Seeligmann.
2 Crônicas 34:8-13
34:8-13 These verses document Josiah's temple repair. Obviously the temple had been neglected and its procedures forgotten or ignored. The repair was done by the supervision of Levites, using non-Levite workers. This fits the Chronicler's interest and affirmation of the Levites (cf. 2 Kgs. 22:7). 34:12-13 Once again, the Chronicler highlights the ministry of the Levites. These families of the tribe of Levi, given by YHWH to help the priests, are mentioned mostly in the books of Numbers (56 times) 1 Chronicles (34 times) 2 Chronicles (64 times) Ezra ‒ Nehemiah (59 times) It is surprising that the Chronicler does not mention the Levites' faithfulness, as does 2 Kgs. 22:7 (also note 2 Chr. 12:15). Apparently the Levite musicians set a tempo for the construction crew (see the Jerome Biblical Commentary, I, p. 425).
2 Crônicas 34:14-18
34:14-21 These verses document the wonderful discovery of "the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses." It is uncertain to what Scriptures this refers. Genesis ‒ Deuteronomy Deuteronomy (esp. chapter 28) part of Exodus (i.e., the Book of the Covenant, v. 30, cf. Exodus 19-24) Leviticus (esp. chapter 26) Josephus, Antiq. 10.4.2., says "the holy books of Moses"; notice the PLURAL. Notice the levels of royal leadership. the High Priest ‒ Hilkiah the royal recorder ‒ Shaphan the royal servant ‒ Asaiah the prophetess ‒ Huldah SPECIAL TOPIC: MOSES' AUTHORSHIP OF THE PENTATEUCH 34:14 YHWH's codified revelation to Moses is called by several names in Chronicles and Ezra ‒ Nehemiah (note the variety). "the Law of the Lord ‒ 1 Chr. 16:40; 2 Chr. 12:1; 31:3,4; 35:26; Ezra 7:10 "the Law of the Lord your God" ‒ 1 Chr. 22:12 "My Law" ‒ 2 Chr. 6:16 "the Law and the commandment" ‒ 2 Chr. 14:4; 31:21 "the book of the Law of the Lord" ‒ 2 Chr. 17:9; 34:14 "between Law and commandment, statutes and ordinances" ‒ 2 Chr. 19:10 "the law of Moses" ‒ 2 Chr. 23:18; 30:16; Ezra 3:2; 7:6 "in the Law in the book of Moses" ‒ 2 Chr. 25:4 "according to the whole Law, the statutes and the ordinances" ‒ 2 Chr. 33:8 "the book of the law" ‒ 2 Chr. 34:15 "of the Law" ‒ 2 Chr. 34:19 "the book of the covenant" ‒ 2 Chr. 34:30 "His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes" ‒ 2 Chr. 34:31 "the commandment of our God. . .according to the Law" ‒ Ezra 10:3 "the book of the Law of Moses" ‒ Neh. 8:1 "the law" ‒ Neh. 8:2,7,14 "the book of the law" ‒ Neh. 8:3 "from the book, from the law of God" ‒ Neh. 8:8 "the words of the law" ‒ Neh. 8:9,13 "the book of the law of God" ‒ Neh. 8:18 "the book of the law of the Lord their God" ‒ Neh. 9:3 "just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments" ‒ Neh. 9:13,14 "Your Law" ‒ Neh. 9:26,29,34 "the Law of God" ‒ Neh. 10:28 34:15 "the scribes" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SCRIBES. 34:18 The recently found book was read to Josiah. This was part of YHWH's guidelines for the king (cf. Deut. 17:19) and the people (cf. Exod. 24:7; Deut. 4:9-10; 31:11). Reading of the Law of Moses to the people was also part of the covenant renewal ceremony (cf. Josh. 8:30-35; Nehemiah 8; 9:3).
2 Crônicas 34:19-21
34:19 "he tore his clothes" This was a sign of mourning. SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES 34:21 This verse clearly shows why Josiah was grieving. It was the people of God's covenant disobedience which triggered His judgment (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28).
2 Crônicas 34:22-28
34:22-28 Josiah commanded the priests (i.e., "go," "inquire," Qal IMPERATIVES) to find a prophet to give clear guidance on what he should do. They went to Huldah the prophetess, not Jeremiah. SPECIAL TOPIC: WOMEN IN THE BIBLE Her words were very strong about YHWH's plans to judge His people because of their repeated idolatry and faithlessness, both leaders and people. The curses of the law have been loosed (cf. 2 Chr. 34:24-25)! This, however, will not happen in Josiah's day. He will have a reign of peace (v. 28). Notice the words of the prophetess, as well as prophets, reinforce the written word, not add to it. They are interpreters of revelation, not innovators. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHETS (OT) 34:25 "all the works of their hands" This refers to the creation of idols, either carved and overlaid molten metal formed into idols "provoke Me to anger. . .My wrath" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE USED TO DESCRIBE GOD. 34:27 Josiah and the people will be spared YHWH's wrath because Josiah's heart was tender (BDB 939, KB 1236, Qal PERFECT) Josiah humbled himself before God (BDB 488, KB 484, Niphal IMPERFECT with waw, cf. 1 Chr. 28:9; 2 Chr. 7:14; 12:7; 32:26) tore his clothes, 2 Chr. 34:19 wept before Me (i.e., in prayer) SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES NASB, NKJV "your heart was tender" "your heart was penitent" "you repented" "your heart has been touched" "your heart was softened" "you have shown a willing heart" "your heart was embarrassed" This VERB (BDB 939, KB 1236, Qal PERFECT, cf. 2 Kgs. 22:19) is used in two senses. fear of men ‒ Deut. 20:3,8 soft hearted towards God ‒ 2 Kgs. 22:19; 2 Chr. 12:7; 32:26
2 Crônicas 34:29-30
34:29-33 This is a covenant renewal ceremony. law is read people promised (INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT, Qal) to walk after YHWH, 2 Chr. 34:31 to keep His law, v. 31 to perform the words of the book, v. 31 to serve the Lord their God, v. 33 34:30 Various segments of society heard the word of God read. the king all the men of Judah the inhabitants of Jerusalem the priests the Levites (cf. 2 Kgs. 23:2 has "prophets") all the people from the greatest to the least 2 Chr. 34:9 gives a list of those who gave money for the temple to be repaired Manasseh Ephraim all the remnant of Israel all Benjamin the inhabitants of Jerusalem so one can assume those mentioned in v. 17 were there when the law was read in v. 9.
2 Crônicas 34:31-33
34:31 "commandments. . .testimonies. . .statutes" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. 34:32 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, JPSOA, LXX, Peshitta "Benjamin" "to keep the covenant" The UBS Text Project, p. 486, gives "Benjamin" an "A" rating. It is followed by all the ancient versions. The NEB and REB make an emendation based on 2 Kgs. 23:3; The Bible Commentary, 1 Samuel-Esther, by F. C. Cook, says "'Benjamin' is never put in contrast with 'Jerusalem' but always with 'Judah.'" 34:33 Josiah's reform (cf. 2 Kgs. 23:4-14,24) example and influence protected the people throughout his life.