2 Chronicles 34 33

2 Chronicles 34:33 kjv

And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 34:33 nkjv

Thus Josiah removed all the abominations from all the country that belonged to the children of Israel, and made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the LORD their God. All his days they did not depart from following the LORD God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 34:33 niv

Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the LORD their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the LORD, the God of their ancestors.

2 Chronicles 34:33 esv

And Josiah took away all the abominations from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who were present in Israel serve the LORD their God. All his days they did not turn away from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 34:33 nlt

So Josiah removed all detestable idols from the entire land of Israel and required everyone to worship the LORD their God. And throughout the rest of his lifetime, they did not turn away from the LORD, the God of their ancestors.

2 Chronicles 34 verses

2 Chronicles 34 33 Meaning

This verse encapsulates the extensive and complete religious reformation led by King Josiah. It describes his thorough removal of all idolatrous practices and objects from every territory belonging to the children of Israel, implying a unified effort across both the southern and former northern kingdoms. Furthermore, it highlights his imposition of the worship of the LORD their God upon all the inhabitants. The verse concludes by emphasizing that throughout Josiah's entire reign, the people, at least outwardly, remained steadfast in following the LORD, the God of their ancestors.

2 Chronicles 34 33 Context

This verse serves as a climactic summary of King Josiah's widespread religious reforms, detailed throughout 2 Chronicles 34. Following the discovery of the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) in the temple, Josiah responded with deep humility and repentance, recognizing Judah's profound sin and God's impending judgment (2 Chr 34:14-28). The immediate preceding verses (34:29-32) describe Josiah's covenant renewal ceremony, where he gathered all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, read the Book of the Law to them, and committed himself and the nation to follow God's commands. Verse 33, then, details the practical implementation and long-term impact of this renewed commitment. It highlights that the cleansing extended beyond Judah's traditional borders into the territories once occupied by the northern kingdom of Israel, demonstrating Josiah's expansive authority and zeal for Yahweh. Historically, Josiah reigned after generations of idolatrous kings, most notably his grandfather Manasseh and father Amon, whose extensive pagan worship he systematically dismantled.

2 Chronicles 34 33 Word analysis

• And Josiah removed: (וַיָּסַר - wayyāsar). Implies forceful and authoritative action. This was not a suggestion but a king's command, demonstrating his royal power wielded for God's purposes. The verb root סוּר (sūr) means "to turn aside, remove," often used in a causative sense to "cause to turn aside" or "cause to depart."

• all the abominations: (כָּל־הַתּוֹעֵבוֹת - kol-hattô‘ēḇôt).

  • all: Emphasizes the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the reform, leaving nothing untouched.
  • abominations: (תּוֹעֵבָה - to‘ēḇâ). Refers specifically to detestable religious practices and idols that were an affront to God, often including idol worship, child sacrifice, sexual rites associated with pagan cults (Dt 18:9-12; Lv 18:22, 29). This term carries strong theological weight, marking actions that incur divine wrath.

• out of all the countries: (מִכָּל־הָאֲרָצוֹת - mikkol-hā’ārāṣôt). Reinforces the geographical extent, not just Jerusalem or Judah but extending to the regions formerly held by the ten northern tribes. This shows Josiah's reach beyond his immediate jurisdiction, suggesting a desire for pan-Israelite adherence to Yahweh.

• that belonged to the children of Israel: Explicitly defines the scope of his influence, aiming to purify all ancestral Israelite land. This reflects a prophetic vision of reuniting the kingdom under Yahweh's sole worship.

• and made all that were present in Israel serve: (וַיַּעֲבֵד אֶת כָּל־הַנִּמְצָא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל - wayya‘ăbēd ’eṯ kol-hannimṣā’ bəyiśrā’ēl).

  • made...serve: (וַיַּעֲבֵד - wayya‘ăbēd). This is a Hiphil form, meaning "he caused to serve" or "he compelled to serve." It suggests external imposition and compulsion rather than purely spontaneous, internal conversion of heart. Josiah, as king, leveraged his authority.
  • all that were present in Israel: Highlights the universal application to every individual within the reformed territories.

• even to serve the LORD their God: The sole, specific, and exclusive object of the imposed worship. This contrasts sharply with the syncretistic practices common during prior reigns, where Yahweh was often worshipped alongside pagan deities.

• All his days: (כָּל־יָמָיו - kol-yāmāw). This significant phrase denotes the entire duration of Josiah's reign, indicating the reform's sustained external effect throughout his kingship.

• they departed not: (לֹא־סָרוּ - lō’-sārû). The same verb root as "removed," here in the Qal, meaning "they did not turn aside" or "they did not depart." This confirms the external compliance and continuity of the reform's adherence during his rule.

• from following the LORD, the God of their fathers: Emphasizes faithfulness to the covenant God revealed to their ancestors, particularly Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It implies a return to ancestral purity of worship, a key aspect of the Deuteronomic reform movement.

• "removed all the abominations" (group analysis): This phrase underscores Josiah's uncompromising stance against every form of idolatry, mirroring the explicit commands in Deuteronomy to utterly destroy pagan altars and symbols. It's a direct counter-action to the cumulative sin of previous generations.

• "made all that were present in Israel serve, even to serve the LORD their God" (group analysis): This reveals Josiah's leadership was not merely punitive destruction, but active spiritual direction. He was not content with merely clearing out evil, but positively reinstated the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The "made...serve" aspect, while indicative of authority, also shows a commitment to establish correct practice as law, especially critical after such extensive national apostasy.

• "All his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers" (group analysis): This is a profound statement of the reform's success, at least superficially or formally. It paints a picture of a period of national obedience under a righteous king. However, subsequent biblical narratives (e.g., Jeremiah, Ezekiel) and later historical events indicate that while the external structures of idolatry were dismantled and public worship conformed, a genuine, widespread heart transformation might have been limited, especially after Josiah's death. This phrase specifically highlights the effectiveness during his lifetime, implying a possible decline afterward.

2 Chronicles 34 33 Bonus section

• The geographical reach of Josiah's reforms into the former Northern Kingdom (Samaria, Galilee) implies either a reassertion of Judah's authority or a vacuum of power left by the declining Assyrian empire, allowing Josiah to fulfill a pan-Israelite agenda rooted in Deuteronomic ideals. This goes beyond what earlier kings of Judah dared or were able to do.
• The phrase "All his days" is both a commendation and a subtle hint. While affirming Josiah's strong influence and the public adherence during his rule, it sets up a poignant contrast with what unfolds after his death, implying the obedience might have been largely reliant on his charismatic and authoritative presence rather than a deeply ingrained, personal conviction across the entire populace, especially given the prophetic laments that follow (e.g., Jeremiah, Habakkuk).
• The parallel account in 2 Kings 23 also details Josiah's reform, but Chronicles specifically adds the "made all...serve" and "all his days they departed not" aspects, which serve to emphasize Josiah's proactive, unifying leadership and the lasting, though perhaps temporary, fruit of his labor. This emphasis on his zeal and its direct effect on the people is a characteristic concern of the Chronicler.

2 Chronicles 34 33 Commentary

2 Chronicles 34:33 succinctly summarizes the zenith of Josiah's religious reformation. It emphasizes two key outcomes: the extensive purification of the land and the imposition of Yahweh's exclusive worship. Josiah’s actions extended beyond the borders of Judah into the northern territories, showcasing his vision for a reunited, purified Israel under God’s covenant. The term "abominations" highlights the grievous nature of the idolatrous practices that had pervaded the land. By "making" the people serve the LORD, Josiah exercised his kingly authority to enforce the rediscovered divine law, leading to a period of outward obedience during his reign. This highlights that while individual faith is vital, righteous leadership can enforce external order and set conditions conducive to faithfulness, even if genuine heart-level adherence cannot be fully guaranteed by decree. The verse stands as a testament to the profound impact a zealous, God-fearing ruler can have on a nation's spiritual landscape.