2 Chronicles 34 14

2 Chronicles 34:14 kjv

And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.

2 Chronicles 34:14 nkjv

Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses.

2 Chronicles 34:14 niv

While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses.

2 Chronicles 34:14 esv

While they were bringing out the money that had been brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given through Moses.

2 Chronicles 34:14 nlt

While they were bringing out the money collected at the LORD's Temple, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD that was written by Moses.

2 Chronicles 34 verses

2 Chronicles 34 14 Meaning

This verse describes a pivotal moment during King Josiah's reign: the discovery of the Book of the Law of the Lord by Hilkiah the high priest. This finding occurred amidst the temple's renovation and cleansing, marking the beginning of a profound spiritual awakening and reformation in Judah. It signifies the re-emergence of divine truth that had been lost or neglected, highlighting God's faithfulness in preserving His word and His initiation of national repentance and revival.

2 Chronicles 34 14 Context

Chapter 34 details the extensive reforms undertaken by King Josiah of Judah. Beginning his reign at eight years old, he initiated seeking the Lord from his sixteenth year. By his twentieth year, he began purging Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry, demolishing altars and smashing idols throughout the land (2 Chr 34:3-7). This initial purge set the stage for the renovation of the Lord's Temple. It was during this physical repair of the desecrated house of God, specifically while accounting for the offerings given for the work (2 Chr 34:8-13), that the discovery of the Book of the Law occurred. This rediscovery provided the specific divine instructions and warnings that fueled the subsequent, more comprehensive spiritual reform, including the solemn covenant renewal and Passover celebration. The verse therefore is a turning point, connecting the initial zeal for reform with the divine catalyst that deepened and guided it.

2 Chronicles 34 14 Word analysis

• Now when they were bringing out the money: This indicates the administrative work associated with the Temple repairs. It shows diligence in stewardship of the offerings for God's house, even before the full understanding of God's Law was regained.
• that was brought into the house of the Lord: This "money" represents contributions from the people of Israel and Judah, signifying a level of dedication, however nascent or nominal, toward God and His house (2 Chr 34:9-11). The work funded by this money, though primarily physical restoration, unknowingly facilitated a profound spiritual revelation.
• Hilkiah the priest: (Hebrew: חִלְקִיָּהוּ, Ḥilqiyyāhū, meaning "My portion is Yahweh" or "Yah is my portion"). As the high priest, Hilkiah was the highest spiritual authority in Judah. His name is significant, affirming his connection to God. His discovery highlights the priestly line being entrusted with the custody of divine revelation, even if they had neglected it for generations.
• found: (Hebrew: מָצָא, matsa). This word implies discovery, unearthing, or recovery rather than merely retrieving from a known archive. It suggests the book had been misplaced, hidden, or forgotten due to spiritual negligence and apostasy prevalent during previous wicked reigns (e.g., Manasseh and Amon). This finding was likely a providential act of God, ensuring His Word reappeared at a critical time.
• the Book of the Law of the Lord: (Hebrew: סֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה יְהוָה, Sepher ha-Torah Yahweh). This refers to a significant portion of the Mosaic Law, very likely a copy of Deuteronomy. "Torah" (תּוֹרָה) signifies divine instruction, teaching, and guidance. The phrase "of the Lord" underscores its divine origin and absolute authority, distinguishing it from human tradition or wisdom.
• given by Moses: This clarifies the book's direct and historical connection to Moses, the great lawgiver and mediator of the Old Covenant. It authenticates its authority as direct revelation from God through His chosen prophet, establishing it as the standard by which Judah was to live and be judged. Its rediscovery was a reaffirmation of the original covenant stipulations.

2 Chronicles 34 14 Bonus section

• Location of Discovery: The text implies the Book of the Law was found within the Temple itself. Given that Moses commanded the Law to be put beside the ark of the covenant (Deut 31:26), it may have been in a chamber within the Holy of Holies or in a secure storage area, protected over generations from intentional destruction, yet lost to active use.
• Divine Providence: The "finding" of the book at this precise moment underscores God's sovereignty. It wasn't due to a specific search for the Law, but rather emerged during mundane yet necessary repair work, indicating God's orchestrating hand in bringing His truth to light when His people's hearts, led by Josiah, were prepared to receive it.
• A "Forgotten" Text: The implication is that for many generations, this core document of their covenant relationship with God had not been regularly read or taught, leading to a profound collective spiritual ignorance and apostasy (Jer 8:8; Hos 4:6). The shock of the content to Josiah demonstrates its unfamiliarity.
• The Power of Exposure: This verse is a testament to the transformative power of God's Word when it is rediscovered and applied. Its exposure immediately led to conviction, confession, repentance, and a nation-wide renewal, demonstrating that genuine revival flows from a return to God's self-revelation.

2 Chronicles 34 14 Commentary

2 Chronicles 34:14 captures a foundational principle for revival and spiritual health: the central role of God's revealed Word. During a time when Judah had deeply fallen into idolatry and apostasy, the physical renovation of the Temple remarkably led to the spiritual re-encounter with the forgotten Book of the Law. The word "found" is key, indicating a rediscovery that profoundly contrasts with deliberate seeking; it underscores how far the people and even their religious leaders had strayed from the Lord's commandments.

The timing of this discovery, concurrent with Josiah's cleansing and repair of the physical structure, illustrates that external religious activity or institutional maintenance, while good, truly transforms into genuine spiritual renewal only when rooted in the truth of God's active Word. Hilkiah, the chief priest, serving within the very structure where God's commands should have been paramount, rediscovered what was foundational. This emphasizes a long period of spiritual negligence.

Upon hearing the Law, King Josiah's response (vs. 19)—tearing his clothes in grief and repentance—was immediate and deep, recognizing the nation's profound deviation from God's perfect standards and the looming judgment. This reaction highlights the living and active power of Scripture (Heb 4:12) to expose sin and ignite repentance when faithfully presented and received. The discovery served as a catalyst, moving Judah from ritualistic performance to sincere obedience, from ignorance to illuminated understanding of God's expectations for His covenant people. It’s a timeless example of how a renewed encounter with God's word often precedes and directs true spiritual reformation and personal transformation.