2 Chronicles 16 11

2 Chronicles 16:11 kjv

And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

2 Chronicles 16:11 nkjv

Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

2 Chronicles 16:11 niv

The events of Asa's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

2 Chronicles 16:11 esv

The acts of Asa, from first to last, are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

2 Chronicles 16:11 nlt

The rest of the events of Asa's reign, from beginning to end, are recorded in The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

2 Chronicles 16 verses

2 Chronicles 16 11 Meaning

This verse marks the conclusion of the biblical account of King Asa's reign in the book of 2 Chronicles, indicating that a more extensive record of his entire life, from its commencement to its conclusion, was meticulously documented. It points to an official historical compilation, the "Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel," which served as a comprehensive repository of the acts of the monarchs of both the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. This reference underscores the historical methodology employed by the Chronicler, who, while presenting a theologically focused narrative, acknowledges the existence of broader historical documentation of events and individual conduct.

2 Chronicles 16 11 Context

Chapter 16 of 2 Chronicles details the latter part of King Asa's reign, marking a significant decline from the strong faith he exhibited earlier. The chapter opens with Asa's alliance with the king of Aram against Baasha of Israel, a move driven by earthly strategy rather than full reliance on God. The prophet Hanani boldly rebukes Asa for this act of faithlessness, reminding him of God's power and faithfulness. Asa's response, however, is one of anger and oppression, imprisoning Hanani and mistreating others. The chapter further notes Asa's illness, where he sought help solely from physicians, again failing to consult the Lord. Verse 11 functions as the Chronicler's concluding statement on Asa's overall rule before detailing his death and burial. It signals the completion of Asa's historical narrative in 2 Chronicles, redirecting the reader to the larger, more comprehensive source material from which the Chronicler drew his information, particularly regarding the full spectrum of Asa's "acts." This placement highlights that even good rulers, like Asa, had their flaws and moments of spiritual lapse, all of which were recorded for future generations.

2 Chronicles 16 11 Word analysis

• Now (וְהִנֵּה, wəhinnēh): This Hebrew particle often functions to introduce a new or significant point, drawing attention to what follows. It can be translated as "and behold," "and indeed," or simply "now." In this context, it signals the transition to the summary of Asa's reign and the reference to its comprehensive documentation.
• the acts (דִּבְרֵי, divrê): This noun (from דבר, davar) typically means "words," "matters," "affairs," or "deeds." Here, it encompasses the totality of King Asa's actions, policies, decisions, and overall conduct throughout his reign. It signifies not just individual events, but the whole scope of his governmental and personal life as a king.
• of Asa (אָסָא, 'Āsā'): Refers to King Asa, the third monarch of the Kingdom of Judah (c. 913–873 BC). His early reign was marked by significant religious reforms and reliance on God (2 Ch 14, 15), but his later years, as detailed in this chapter, saw a decline in faith.
• first (רִאשֹׁנִים, ri’šōnîm): This adjective means "first," "former," or "initial." Paired with "last," it indicates the complete chronological span of Asa's reign—from its very beginning to its end. It implies the early, often faithful, period of his rule.
• and last (וַאֲחֲרֹנִים, wa'aḥarōnîm): This adjective (from אחרון, aḥaron) means "last," "latter," or "final." Together with "first," it emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the record. It specifically encompasses his later years, which included his missteps as highlighted in 2 Chronicles 16.
• behold (הִנֵּה, hinnēh): While part of the initial "now," the rhetorical force of "behold" is still present, emphasizing the existence and certainty of the written record. It is an attention-grabbing exclamation, confirming the historical veracity.
• they are written (הֵם כְּתוּבִים, hēm kəṯûḇîm): This phrase uses the past participle form of the verb "to write" (כתב, katav), denoting a state of being already written and recorded. It confirms that the events are permanently documented, not merely an oral tradition, reinforcing their factual basis.
• in the Book (עַל־סֵפֶר, ʿal-sēfer): "Book" (סֵפֶר, sēfer) refers to a scroll or codex, a formal, durable, and authoritative written document. It signifies an official compilation of records. The preposition "on/in" (עַל, al) indicates its physical presence within this record.
• of the Kings (מַלְכֵי, malḵê): "Kings" (מלך, melekh) in the plural, referring to the official annals or chronicles concerning the monarchs. This designates the type of source material: a royal historical record.
• of Judah and Israel (יְהוּדָה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל, Yəhūḏâ wəYiśrā’ēl): Specifies the scope of the comprehensive royal history. This "Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel" is understood to be a major source consulted by the Chronicler, reflecting a record-keeping tradition that encompassed the reigns of both the southern kingdom (Judah) and the northern kingdom (Israel), even after the division of the monarchy. It suggests a singular, comprehensive collection, or at least a related series, of royal annals covering both entities.

2 Chronicles 16 11 Bonus section

• The "Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel" mentioned here is considered by scholars to be a lost historical document that served as a key source for the biblical authors of Kings and Chronicles. Its existence points to a rigorous historical tradition among the ancient Israelites, where royal scribes meticulously documented events. This refutes any notion that the biblical narratives were conjured from thin air; instead, they were often grounded in and drawn from official, historical records.
• The use of "first and last" to describe Asa's acts is significant. The Chronicler does not shy away from recording both the commendable aspects of his reign (his early piety, reform, and trust in God as seen in chapters 14 and 15) and his eventual spiritual decline (his reliance on Aram, mistreatment of the prophet, and seeking only physicians as detailed in chapter 16). This holistic portrayal implies a full record from which divine lessons are drawn, emphasizing that faithfulness is a lifelong journey.
• This verse subtly reinforces the theme of accountability. Even if not every detail is included in the concise biblical narrative, the explicit mention of a complete historical record serves as a reminder that nothing is truly hidden. This resonates with the broader biblical truth that all deeds, both public and private, will be revealed and judged, either by men through recorded history or ultimately by God.

2 Chronicles 16 11 Commentary

This verse functions as a concluding formula, common throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. It indicates the completion of the Chronicler's thematic narrative concerning King Asa while simultaneously acknowledging the existence of more comprehensive historical archives for his reign. The phrase "first and last" underscores that the entirety of Asa's life—his exemplary deeds of faith at the outset, as well as his regrettable acts of pride and reliance on human means in his later years—were duly noted. The reference to the "Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel" serves as an authoritative historical pointer, confirming the Chronicler's method of drawing from established royal annals. This passage teaches that every significant act of a ruler, and by extension, of every individual, is accounted for. It implicitly sets forth a theological principle: that human actions are observed, recorded, and form a complete record that stands before both human history and divine judgment. The brevity of the biblical account is not due to omission but selection, with the full narrative accessible for those who seek further detail, highlighting that the ultimate Judge is aware of all actions, both "first and last."