2 Chronicles 34 18

2 Chronicles 34:18 kjv

Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

2 Chronicles 34:18 nkjv

Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king.

2 Chronicles 34:18 niv

Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

2 Chronicles 34:18 esv

Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read from it before the king.

2 Chronicles 34:18 nlt

Shaphan also told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll." So Shaphan read it to the king.

2 Chronicles 34 verses

2 Chronicles 34 18 Meaning

This verse records Shaphan the royal scribe formally informing King Josiah that Hilkiah the high priest had given him a profound discovery: "the Book," identified as the Book of the Law of the LORD. This moment marked a pivotal point, signifying the rediscovery of God's divine instructions that had been neglected, catalyzing a profound national revival and covenant renewal in Judah. It underscores the essential role of God's Word as the foundation for true worship and societal transformation.

2 Chronicles 34 18 Context

Chapter 34 of 2 Chronicles details the righteous reign of King Josiah, beginning when he was only eight years old. Unlike many of his predecessors, Josiah earnestly pursued the LORD. In his twelfth year, he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry, destroying altars and images throughout the land. In his eighteenth year, Josiah embarked on a project to repair the Temple of the LORD. It was during these repairs that Hilkiah, the high priest, discovered "the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses" (2 Chr 34:14). Hilkiah then gave this monumental discovery to Shaphan the scribe. This verse, 34:18, specifically describes the critical moment when Shaphan formally presents and announces this "Book" to King Josiah, directly leading to Josiah's profound reaction of repentance and a widespread national reform and covenant renewal, making this discovery the central turning point of his reign and a spiritual resurgence for the nation.

2 Chronicles 34 18 Word analysis

• Then: Marks a sequence of events. It signifies the immediate next step after Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan.
• Shaphan (שָׁפָן, Shaphan): A prominent and trustworthy royal scribe, often equivalent to a secretary of state. His role extended beyond copying; he was a highly respected governmental official, a key figure in Josiah's administration, capable of discerning the gravity of Hilkiah's find and bringing it directly to the king's attention.
• the scribe (הַסֹּפֵר, hassōp̄ēr): Emphasizes Shaphan's specific official role. A scribe in ancient Israel was a skilled literate person, a copyist, and often a knowledgeable administrator who could interpret documents and was responsible for official records and communications. This position lends credibility and formality to the announcement.
• told: Indicates a direct and official communication. Shaphan didn't just casually mention it; he formally presented the news.
• the king (הַמֶּלֶךְ, hammeleḵ): Refers to King Josiah, who, though young, was deeply committed to seeking God and leading reforms, setting the stage for his impactful reaction.
• 'Hilkiah (חִלְקִיָּהוּ, Ḥilqiyyāhū): Meaning "Yah is my portion," he was the high priest, the chief religious authority. His discovery carries immense weight, coming from the leader responsible for the Temple's sanctity and its contents.
• the priest (הַכֹּהֵן, hakkōhēn): Specifies Hilkiah's role, highlighting that the discovery originated from within the spiritual leadership. It underscores that the book was found in its proper, sacred place (the Temple), suggesting its authenticity.
• has given me: A simple past action verb phrase, indicating the physical transfer of the object—the book—from Hilkiah to Shaphan. It highlights Shaphan as the direct recipient and bearer of this critical document to the king.
• a book (הַסֵּפֶר, hassēp̄er): Translates "the book" rather than "a book" (due to the definite article in Hebrew). This specific article, ha-, makes it clear this was the particular and renowned "Book of the Law," often understood as the core of Deuteronomy, a foundational text of the covenant between God and Israel, long neglected or lost during previous idolatrous reigns. Its mere existence was astounding.

• Shaphan the scribe told the king: This phrase encapsulates the official and direct report. It underscores the importance of the communication and the king's position as the ultimate authority receiving vital information. It sets the stage for the dramatic national consequences that followed.
• Hilkiah the priest has given me a book: This crucial statement contains the entire significance of the verse. It reveals the identity of the finder (Hilkiah), the recipient and presenter (Shaphan), and the momentous object (the Book of the Law). This specific phrasing highlights the chain of custody and validates the source of the profound spiritual revelation that would initiate the most significant revival in Judah's history since David.

2 Chronicles 34 18 Bonus section

• The fact that Shaphan states "Hilkiah...has given me a book" rather than immediately specifying it as "the Book of the Law" in this verse, might suggest either Shaphan himself had not fully grasped its full theological implication yet at the precise moment of announcement, or that he used general terminology expecting Josiah to quickly realize its identity given the preceding verses and their collaborative Temple efforts. Subsequent verses (2 Chr 34:19) show Josiah's intense reaction upon hearing the actual words from it.
• The rediscovery of the Law served as a profound example of God's sovereign hand at work. Even in periods of profound national apostasy and spiritual decline, God preserved His Word, making it available at a precise moment when a willing and righteous king like Josiah was ready to receive and act upon it. This highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even when they stray.
• The absence of the Book of the Law for so long illustrates the ease with which foundational truths can be forgotten or set aside when spiritual leaders and people become complacent or turn to idolatry. The shock and sorrow of Josiah (2 Chr 34:19) reflect the severe consequences of national ignorance concerning divine precepts.

2 Chronicles 34 18 Commentary

This concise verse captures the formal presentation of one of the most significant finds in Israel's history: the Book of the Law. Shaphan the scribe, a trustworthy royal official, reports to King Josiah the high priest Hilkiah's discovery. The identification of "a book" as "the Book of the Law" is paramount, representing the foundational covenant instructions given by God through Moses, which had been lost or ignored for generations. The announcement itself, from the esteemed high priest through the reliable scribe to the diligent young king, underscores its authenticity and immediate gravity. This moment was divinely timed, providing the exact spiritual revelation needed to propel Josiah's existing reform efforts into a full-scale national repentance and covenant renewal, rooting their restoration not merely in moral reformation but in the revealed will of God. It shows that God's Word, even when neglected, remains potent and capable of igniting revival when rediscovered and heeded by humble hearts.