2 Chronicles 34 31

2 Chronicles 34:31 kjv

And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.

2 Chronicles 34:31 nkjv

Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.

2 Chronicles 34:31 niv

The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD?to follow the LORD and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book.

2 Chronicles 34:31 esv

And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.

2 Chronicles 34:31 nlt

The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the LORD's presence. He pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll.

2 Chronicles 34 verses

2 Chronicles 34 31 Meaning

King Josiah solemnly positioned himself to publicly affirm and renew a binding covenant before the Lord. This sacred agreement involved a complete and dedicated commitment on his part, and on behalf of the people, to follow God's ways, diligently observe all His commandments, testimonies, and statutes with his entire being—his mind, will, and emotions, as well as his innermost vitality. The essence of this covenant was to actively implement and obey every decree found within the newly rediscovered Book of the Law.

2 Chronicles 34 31 Context

The events of 2 Chronicles 34 detail Josiah's significant spiritual reform. While still young, he began to seek the God of his father David and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry, a practice deeply ingrained after the long reigns of Manasseh and Amon. The pivotal moment arrived during the repairs of the temple when the High Priest Hilkiah discovered "the Book of the Law of the Lord" (likely Deuteronomy or parts of it). Upon hearing its words, Josiah was deeply convicted by the warnings of judgment for disobedience. This verse immediately follows his personal act of humility and repentance (vv. 27-28) and his assembly of all the elders and people. Here, he takes a public stand as the divinely appointed leader to formalize Judah's commitment to the covenant found within that very book, signifying a nationwide turning back to God in a period of severe spiritual decline and impending national disaster.

2 Chronicles 34 31 Word analysis

• Then the king stood: The Hebrew wayya (וַיַּעֲמֹד֙) "stood," signifies taking a fixed and firm position, denoting solemnity, authority, and intention for a significant act. It indicates Josiah's active role as the leader, setting an example for his people, likely facing the assembly and symbolically, the divine presence.
• in his place: Refers to Josiah assuming his formal royal stance, appropriate for making a national declaration and leading a public, sacred rite, perhaps by the pillar where kings stood during solemn occasions (2 Ki 11:14). It underscores his designated authority and responsibility as Israel's leader.
• and made a covenant: The Hebrew phrase is wa'ykrat b'rith (וַיִּכְרֹ֣ת בְּרִ֔ית), meaning "to cut a covenant." This verb, karat (כָּרַת), evokes the ancient ritual of passing between divided animal pieces (e.g., Gen 15:9-17; Jer 34:18-19), symbolizing the binding nature of the agreement and the dire consequences for breaking it. It wasn't merely a verbal promise but a formal, sacred oath with an expectation of divine endorsement. This act re-established Judah's identity as a covenant people in contrast to surrounding nations and their non-Yahwistic pacts.
• before the Lord: Signifies that this was not merely a political or human agreement but one made in the direct presence of God, establishing divine witness and sanction. It was a declaration of allegiance to the true God, in implicit polemic against the numerous idols previously worshipped.
• to walk after the Lord: The Hebrew la-lekhet 'ahar Yahweh (לָלֶ֞כֶת אַחֲרֵ֤י יְהוָה֙). "To walk after" describes a lifestyle of devoted following, imitation, and obedience, as opposed to pursuing idols or one's own desires. It implies living in conformity to God's revealed will and leadership in every aspect of life, demonstrating loyalty and discipleship.
• and to keep His commandments: ulishmor mitz'woto (וְלִשְׁמֹר֩ מִצְוֹתָ֜יו). "Keep" (shamar) means to guard, preserve, observe carefully, implying meticulous adherence and treasuring of divine directives, ensuring their practical application. "Commandments" (mitz'wot) are God's explicit divine precepts and rules given to guide human conduct.
• and His testimonies: w''dotayv (וְעֵדֹתָיו֙). "Testimonies" (edot) are divine declarations or laws that serve as a witness to God's character, expectations, and covenant relationship. They attest to truth and often concern ethical and ceremonial practices that bear witness to God's holiness and His claims on His people.
• and His statutes: w''chukotayv (וְחֻקֹּתָיו֙). "Statutes" (chuqqim) are God's prescribed ordinances and decrees, often implying fixed, immutable laws that delineate specific actions or forms of worship. These are God’s established boundaries for living in His covenant.
• with all his heart: b'chol l'vav (בְּכָל־לְבָב֖וֹ). In biblical anthropology, the "heart" (levav) represents the totality of the inner being – the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral decisions. This phrase signifies full intellectual understanding, sincere will, and fervent desire in obedience.
• and with all his soul: ub'chol naf'sho (וּבְכָל־נַפְשׁ֑וֹ). The "soul" (nephesh) refers to the life force, the entire vitality and being of a person. Coupled with "heart," it demands a complete and comprehensive dedication, implying a holistic commitment that involves one's entire life and energy, not just outward actions or formal lip-service. It opposes fragmented or divided loyalties, directly addressing Judah's history of syncretism.
• to perform the words of the covenant: la'asot divrei ha'brit (לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ דִּבְרֵ֣י הַבְּרִ֔ית). "Perform" (la'asot) means "to do," "to make," emphasizing active and diligent implementation. It’s not just mental assent or verbal agreement, but putting the covenant's stipulations into concrete practice, contrasting sharply with past generations who merely heard or paid lip service to the Law.
• written in this book: Refers directly to the "Book of the Law" rediscovered by Hilkiah, likely Deuteronomy or an authoritative portion of the Pentateuch. This validates the source of their covenant obligations, emphasizing the authority and accessibility of God's written word as the foundation for their lives and the reform. It authenticates Josiah's reform efforts, grounding them not in personal whim but in divine revelation.

2 Chronicles 34 31 Bonus section

• Royal Model: Josiah's act established a crucial royal precedent: the king's primary responsibility was to uphold and lead the nation in obedience to the Divine covenant. This highlighted the king as both spiritual leader and judicial head, subject to God's Law rather than being above it.
• Significance of the "Book": The discovery of the Book of the Law was transformative. It underscored the absolute authority of God's written Word as the foundation for national identity, spiritual practice, and the administration of justice. The written word served as an objective standard against which all actions were to be measured.
• Public vs. Private: This verse highlights a public, national covenant renewal, demonstrating Josiah's leadership in guiding the people towards repentance. This public act followed his private deep repentance, showing how personal faith can drive widespread transformation.
• Conditional Nature of Covenant: The re-affirmation of the covenant, particularly in light of the curses mentioned in the Book of the Law, reminded Judah of the conditional nature of God's blessings and the consequences of disobedience, even as it offered a path to renewed relationship.

2 Chronicles 34 31 Commentary

2 Chronicles 34:31 describes Josiah's personal and public commitment to God, acting as the national covenant representative. Having understood the severity of Judah's idolatry and the divine judgment articulated in the rediscovered Book of the Law, Josiah leads the nation in a profound spiritual renewal. His act of standing in his place signifies his assumption of the kingly duty to mediate the nation's relationship with God, establishing a new foundation for Judah's future on obedience to the covenant. The emphasis on "all his heart and with all his soul" points to the totality and sincerity of this commitment, calling for an inner transformation that would lead to outward actions in conformity to God's commandments, testimonies, and statutes. This was not a partial or superficial turning back, but a comprehensive and personal surrender to the terms of God's covenant as revealed in His written word. The performance of these words underscored that true faith is always demonstrated through active obedience. Though ultimately, the reform did not prevent the exile due to the deeply rooted apostasy that lingered beyond Josiah's life, his personal devotion and public initiative provided a brief but potent demonstration of what it means for a king and a nation to fully return to the Lord.