2 Chronicles 34:16 kjv
And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.
2 Chronicles 34:16 nkjv
So Shaphan carried the book to the king, bringing the king word, saying, "All that was committed to your servants they are doing.
2 Chronicles 34:16 niv
Then Shaphan took the book to the king and reported to him: "Your officials are doing everything that has been committed to them.
2 Chronicles 34:16 esv
Shaphan brought the book to the king, and further reported to the king, "All that was committed to your servants they are doing.
2 Chronicles 34:16 nlt
Shaphan took the scroll to the king and reported, "Your officials are doing everything they were assigned to do.
2 Chronicles 34 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 34:1 | Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign... | Josiah's age when becoming king. |
| 2 Chr 34:3-7 | In the eighth year of his reign...he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem... | Josiah's initial reforms. |
| 2 Chr 34:8 | Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land... | Setting for Temple repair. |
| 2 Chr 34:11-13 | ...to give it to the workmen...the foremen of those who did the work. | Temple workers and oversight. |
| 2 Chr 34:14-15 | ...Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law...and gave it to Shaphan. | Discovery of the Law. |
| 2 Chr 34:17-19 | And they poured out the money... and gave it to the foremen and to the workmen. | Use of funds for repairs. |
| 2 Kgs 22:3-6 | Now in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the scribe... | Parallel account of Josiah's actions. |
| 2 Kgs 22:8-10 | Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book..." | Parallel discovery of the Law. |
| 2 Kgs 22:9 | Then Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought the king word, saying... | Parallel verse, near identical phrasing. |
| Neh 2:18 | And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. | Responding to a call for work. |
| Neh 6:15 | So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. | Completion of a building project. |
| Ezra 3:10 | When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood... | Temple reconstruction effort. |
| Matt 25:21 | His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little...’ | Commendation for faithfulness. |
| Luke 16:10 | One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much... | Faithfulness in small tasks. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. | Principle of stewardship and trustworthiness. |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... | Diligence in service. |
| Tit 2:10 | ...so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. | Faithfulness in duty for God's glory. |
| Prov 25:13 | Like the coolness of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him... | The value of a trustworthy messenger. |
| Jer 36:10 | Then Baruch read from the scroll the words of Jeremiah in the house of the Lord... | Reading of God's word by a scribe. |
| Jer 26:24 | But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah... | Shaphan's son's faithful support. |
| Dan 6:3-4 | Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials... because an excellent spirit was in him... | Excellence and integrity in administration. |
| Hab 1:5 | “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days... | God at work even unseen. |
2 Chronicles 34 verses
2 Chronicles 34 16 Meaning
Shaphan the scribe, a trusted royal official, presented a report to King Josiah confirming that all the duties and resources entrusted to the king's servants for the ongoing repair and restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem were being diligently carried out and completed according to instruction. This administrative update, though seemingly routine, serves as a crucial preface to the momentous discovery and reading of the Book of the Law, signifying faithful stewardship as a prerequisite for deeper spiritual engagement.
2 Chronicles 34 16 Context
2 Chronicles 34 opens with King Josiah's righteous reign beginning at eight years old, detailing his early religious reforms to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry, destroying high places, altars, and idols (vv. 3-7). This set the stage for the eighteenth year of his reign when he initiated a comprehensive repair and restoration of the Lord's Temple in Jerusalem (vv. 8-13). Funds collected were entrusted to priests, who then oversaw the craftsmen and laborers. Shaphan the scribe had already been sent by Josiah earlier (v. 8) to deliver the money for the Temple repairs. Critically, immediately before verse 16, Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law within the Temple and gave it to Shaphan (vv. 14-15). Therefore, Shaphan's report in verse 16 is not just an update on the building project, but the administrative duty preceding his subsequent act of reading the discovered Law to the king, which leads to profound national repentance and covenant renewal. This highlights Shaphan's pivotal role in this transformative spiritual awakening in Judah.
2 Chronicles 34 16 Word analysis
- Then (וַיָּבֹא - va-ya-vo): A conjunction implying sequential action. It connects this administrative report directly to the preceding events of Shaphan receiving the discovered Book of the Law from Hilkiah, indicating that he is coming from the Temple.
- Shaphan (שָׁפָן - Shaphan): The name means "rock badger" or "hyrax." He was a highly trusted and influential royal scribe and official in Josiah's court, known for his integrity. His administrative and advisory role made him a key figure in significant state affairs.
- the scribe (הַסֹּפֵר - ha-sofer): More than a mere copyist; this title signifies a high-ranking royal administrator, an educated man knowledgeable in law, record-keeping, and state communications. This office held considerable authority.
- came to the king (אֶל הַמֶּלֶךְ - el ha-melech): This demonstrates Shaphan's direct and privileged access to King Josiah, reflecting his high standing and the importance of the message he carried.
- and brought the king word (וַיָּשֶׁב אֶת־הַמֶּלֶךְ דָּבָר - va-yashev et-ha-melech davar): Literally, "and he returned to the king a word" or "he answered the king a word." It implies reporting back on a previously given assignment or inquiry, signifying the fulfillment of a duty or the completion of a mission.
- saying (לֵאמֹר - le'mor): Introduces direct speech, detailing the content of Shaphan's report to Josiah.
- All that was committed (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר נִתַּן - kol asher nittan): Literally "all that which was given" or "all that was put." This refers comprehensively to the funds, materials, and specific tasks assigned for the repair of the Temple, indicating that every aspect of the project was under review.
- to your servants (בְּיַד־עֲבָדֶיךָ - be-yad-avadeikha): Literally "in the hand of your servants." This refers to those officials and workers entrusted with the Temple renovation project, particularly the Levites and their overseers (as mentioned in v. 12-13). It is a humble and respectful form of address to the king from his official.
- is being done (הֵם עֹשִׂים - hem osim): Literally "they are doing" or "they are making/working." The Hebrew participle here indicates an active and ongoing process, confirming not only that the work has commenced but that it is progressing effectively and diligently towards completion, affirming stewardship.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought the king word": This phrase highlights Shaphan's crucial role as the reliable intermediary between the Temple operations (where he had just received the Book of the Law from Hilkiah) and the royal court. It establishes a formal context of administrative accountability and information flow.
- "All that was committed to your servants is being done": This statement serves as a succinct affirmation of fidelity and successful execution of delegated responsibilities. It indicates that the financial and labor resources allocated for the Temple repair were being efficiently and completely utilized by those in charge, underscoring Josiah's effective administration and the integrity of his officials.
2 Chronicles 34 16 Bonus section
The Chronicler's emphasis on Josiah's character and systematic reform (purging the land before repairing the Temple) underscores a deliberate move towards a God-centered worship that prioritized righteousness over mere ritual. Shaphan's lineage continued to play significant roles, with his son Ahikam protecting Jeremiah (Jer 26:24) and another son Gemariah and grandson Gedaliah showing similar loyalty and integrity. This highlights a generational legacy of faithfulness in service to God within Josiah's administration. The Hebrew phrase "is being done" (הֵם עֹשִׂים - hem osim) using a present participle, truly conveys an active and ongoing, rather than just completed, diligent prosecution of the work, reinforcing the efficiency of the Temple project under Shaphan's watch. This seemingly administrative detail reveals an underlying ethos of competent and faithful service in Josiah's court, essential for the spiritual renewal that followed.
2 Chronicles 34 16 Commentary
2 Chronicles 34:16 presents a seemingly ordinary administrative report by Shaphan the scribe to King Josiah, yet its placement in the narrative is profoundly significant. Shaphan's diligence in reporting on the Temple repair's progress sets a backdrop of faithfulness and orderly administration. This apparently mundane moment immediately precedes the transformative event of reading the recently discovered Book of the Law to the king (vv. 18-19). The report highlights that the physical work of restoration (the Temple repair) was being competently handled, thus paving the way for the spiritual restoration of Judah based on God's Word. It suggests that obedience and stewardship in everyday duties can often precede and enable moments of great divine revelation and spiritual renewal. It teaches that integrity in small matters prepares for responsiveness to larger spiritual truths.
Practical usage examples:
- Faithful stewardship: Demonstrates that God values diligence and accountability in any task, whether physical construction or spiritual endeavors.
- Preparation for divine revelation: Suggests that being faithful in existing responsibilities (like Temple repair) can create an environment ready for God to reveal deeper truths (like the Law).