2 Chronicles 20 34

2 Chronicles 20:34 kjv

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:34 nkjv

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:34 niv

The other events of Jehoshaphat's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the annals of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:34 esv

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from first to last, are written in the chronicles of Jehu the son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20:34 nlt

The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat's reign, from beginning to end, are recorded in The Record of Jehu Son of Hanani, which is included in The Book of the Kings of Israel.

2 Chronicles 20 verses

2 Chronicles 20 34 Meaning

This verse functions as a concluding summary statement for the account of King Jehoshaphat's reign in 2 Chronicles, particularly after the miraculous victory detailed in Chapter 20. It informs the reader that the complete narrative of Jehoshaphat's actions, from his ascension to the throne until his death, is documented in a historical source known as "the book of the Kings of Israel and Judah." It serves to validate the historical authenticity of the Chronicler's narrative and assures the reader that the presented information is drawn from a broader, meticulously preserved record, inviting those seeking more exhaustive details to consult this external (to Chronicles) source.

2 Chronicles 20 34 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 20 describes King Jehoshaphat's faith and the miraculous victory God grants Judah over a vast coalition of Ammonites, Moabites, and inhabitants of Mount Seir. Faced with an overwhelming enemy, Jehoshaphat calls for a national fast and prays earnestly for God's help, acknowledging Judah's utter dependence on Him. The Lord answers through the prophet Jahaziel, assuring Judah that the battle is His, not theirs, and they need only stand still and see His salvation. This prophecy is miraculously fulfilled when the enemy armies turn on each other, annihilating themselves. The people then spend three days gathering abundant spoil and bless the Lord in the Valley of Beracah (Blessing). The surrounding nations hear of God's intervention and a divine dread falls upon them, securing peace for Jehoshaphat's reign. Verse 34 serves as the formal closing of this heroic and faith-affirming narrative, placing Jehoshaphat's complete life story, beyond this specific battle, within the documented history that the Chronicler utilized as his source material. It bridges the specific account with the broader historical record of the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 20 34 Word analysis

• Now: (וְהַנּוֹתָר, ve-hannotar) This conjunctive "now" introduces the concluding statement, indicating a transition from the detailed narrative to a summarizing and referential note.
• the rest: (הַנּוֹתָר, hannotar) Literally "that which remains" or "the leftover." This signifies that the Chronicler has presented a selection of events, and a more comprehensive account exists elsewhere. It points to a larger historical record from which the author has chosen relevant parts for his specific theological and historical purposes.
• of the acts: (מִדִּבְרֵי, midivrei) "From the words of," but here "words" (דִּבְרֵי, divrei) refer broadly to accounts, events, matters, deeds, or chronicles. It encompasses the entirety of Jehoshaphat's life events, administrative decisions, and significant happenings during his kingship. This term is frequently used in biblical historical narratives to refer to a comprehensive record of a person's life or reign.
• of Jehoshaphat: (יְהוֹשָׁפָט, Yehoshafat) King of Judah, son of Asa. His name means "Yahweh has judged" or "Yahweh judges." He is consistently depicted as a righteous king who sought the Lord, though he had notable failings, such as his alliance with King Ahab of Israel.
• first and last: (הָרִאשֹׁנִים וְהָאַחֲרֹנִים, ha-rishonim v'ha-acharonim) Literally "the first ones and the last ones." This is an idiomatic Hebrew expression denoting the entire course or full scope of Jehoshaphat's reign, from its inception to its conclusion. It implies a thorough, comprehensive record was available, assuring the reader of the full historical documentation of the king's life.
• behold: (הִנָּם, hinnam) An emphatic particle, like "indeed" or "look!" It draws the reader's attention to the following crucial information about the existence of the source document, underscoring its verifiable nature.
• they are written: (כְּתוּבִים, k'tuvim) "written." This past participle indicates that the accounts already exist in a permanent, recorded form. It speaks to the reliability and historical veracity of the material that the Chronicler consulted and from which he composed his narrative. This emphasis on written documentation reinforces the groundedness of the biblical narrative in tangible history.
• in the book: (בְּסֵפֶר, b'sefer) "In the scroll" or "in the volume." This refers to a specific, identifiable physical document or compilation. It's not a general idea of records, but a concrete collection of historical writings.
• of the Kings: (מַלְכֵי, malchei) Referring to the successive monarchs.
• of Israel and Judah: (יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה, Yisra'el v'Yehudah) This unique phrase points to a specific historical work used by the Chronicler. Unlike the canonical Books of Kings (which reference separate "Books of the Annals of the Kings of Judah" and "Books of the Annals of the Kings of Israel"), the Chronicler often refers to a singular "Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah" (or similar variations, e.g., 2 Ch 27:7, 28:26, 32:32, 35:27). Scholars generally view this as a comprehensive, pan-Israelite regal history known and used by the Chronicler, possibly a lost unified compilation that was his primary historical source. It signifies a focus on the shared history and lineage of the entire twelve tribes under God's covenant, even after the division of the kingdom.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat: This phrase clearly states that the account presented in Chronicles is not exhaustive but selective. The Chronicler highlights particular events that serve his theological emphasis (e.g., Jehoshaphat's piety and reliance on God), while acknowledging a broader range of events existed and were recorded elsewhere.
• first and last: This idiomatic expression assures the reader of the comprehensiveness of the referenced source. Even though the Chronicler presents a selective narrative, he has drawn it from a source that documented Jehoshaphat's entire reign, providing authority and historical depth to his own work.
• behold, they are written: This emphatic declaration underscores the veracity and tangibility of the historical record. It's not merely oral tradition but documented history, serving to legitimize the narrative provided in Chronicles.
• in the book of the Kings of Israel and Judah: This precise reference indicates the specific written source for the information. This practice of citing sources is characteristic of the Chronicler and emphasizes his diligence as a historian, while also hinting at a unified perspective on the history of the divided kingdoms under God's covenant. This "book" represents the extensive historical corpus known to the Chronicler, from which he extracted and reshaped material according to his theological agenda.

2 Chronicles 20 34 Bonus section

• Chronicler's Literary Conventions: This verse typifies a formulaic closing statement common throughout Chronicles and Kings. Such formulas serve as markers within a larger historical work, guiding the reader through the reigns of various monarchs and assuring them of the presence of broader historical records beyond the immediate scope of the biblical book.
• Source Criticism: The specific title "book of the Kings of Israel and Judah" suggests that the Chronicler was working from a different source (or a synthesis of sources) than the canonical books of Kings, which typically reference separate books for Israel and Judah (e.g., "Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel" and "Book of the Annals of the Kings of Judah"). This indicates the Chronicler had access to and drew from extensive, authoritative, though now mostly lost, historical documents, enhancing the historical depth of his work.
• Theological Purpose of Citations: While appearing to be mere historical footnotes, these references also serve a theological purpose. They demonstrate the Chronicler's commitment to presenting a factual history, grounded in accessible records, which supports his overarching message of divine judgment and blessing based on Israel's faithfulness or apostasy. The existence of these broader records emphasizes the comprehensiveness of God's interaction with humanity and the diligence of those tasked with preserving His historical dealings with His people.

2 Chronicles 20 34 Commentary

2 Chronicles 20:34 is a classic example of the Chronicler's distinctive historiographical method. It marks the conclusion of the account of King Jehoshaphat, redirecting the reader to a more comprehensive historical compilation, likely a lost source, identified as "the book of the Kings of Israel and Judah." This recurring citation technique serves several critical functions. Firstly, it lends credibility and authority to the Chronicler's own narrative. By pointing to an extensive, widely known record ("first and last"), he assures his audience that his account is not fabricated but is derived from verifiable historical data. Secondly, it signals the Chronicler's selective approach. He does not aim to provide every detail of Jehoshaphat's reign but focuses on specific aspects—such as the dramatic deliverance in chapter 20—that exemplify divine faithfulness and the rewards of seeking God. The verse essentially states, "What I have written is true, and there is much more, faithfully recorded elsewhere." This method underscores the meticulousness of historical record-keeping in ancient Israel and God's sovereign oversight of both recorded and unrecorded history, emphasizing that divine truth is anchored in genuine historical events.