2 Chronicles 35:27 kjv
And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
2 Chronicles 35:27 nkjv
and his deeds from first to last, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
2 Chronicles 35:27 niv
all the events, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
2 Chronicles 35:27 esv
and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
2 Chronicles 35:27 nlt
from beginning to end ? all are recorded in The Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
2 Chronicles 35 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 11:41 | "Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?" | Solomon's acts referred to an external book |
| 1 Kgs 14:19 | "Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel." | Jeroboam's acts referred to external chronicles |
| 1 Kgs 14:29 | "Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" | Rehoboam's acts referred to Judah's chronicles |
| 2 Chr 16:11 | "The rest of the acts of Asa, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel." | Similar formula for King Asa |
| 2 Chr 25:26 | "Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel." | Similar formula for King Amaziah |
| 2 Chr 26:22 | "Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write." | Uzziah's acts also noted as written, by a prophet |
| 2 Chr 32:32 | "Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel." | Hezekiah's acts mentioned in multiple sources |
| Ex 17:14 | "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua...'" | God commands writing down events |
| Deut 31:19 | "Now therefore write this song for yourselves..." | God commands writing specific instructions |
| Isa 30:8 | "Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever." | Prophet instructed to write for future witness |
| Hab 2:2 | "And the Lord answered me: 'Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.'" | Vision to be clearly written |
| Rev 20:12 | "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged from what was written in the books, according to what they had done." | Divine records of human deeds and life |
| Mal 3:16 | "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name." | Divine book of remembrance for the faithful |
| Jn 21:25 | "Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." | Gospel is a selective, not exhaustive, record |
| Lk 1:1 | "Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us..." | Acknowledges multiple written accounts exist |
| Acts 1:1 | "In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach..." | Luke refers to his own prior written account (Luke) |
| Ps 139:16 | "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." | God's comprehensive knowledge recorded |
| Jer 30:2 | "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you." | Prophetic words to be written |
| Ezra 4:15 | "So that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers..." | Reference to royal archives |
| Neh 12:23 | "The sons of Levi: the heads of fathers’ houses were written in the Book of the Chronicles until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib." | Reference to specific historical chronicles |
2 Chronicles 35 verses
2 Chronicles 35 27 Meaning
2 Chronicles 35:27 states that all the deeds and events of King Josiah's reign, from its beginning to its end, are fully recorded in the official historical annals known as "the book of the kings of Judah and Israel." This verse serves as a summary concluding statement, typical of the books of Kings and Chronicles, pointing to an external, more comprehensive historical source for the reader to consult regarding Josiah's extensive and impactful life and rule. It affirms the Chronicler's selective presentation, which focused on theological lessons and the Davidic line, while acknowledging the broader historical record's existence and accessibility.
2 Chronicles 35 27 Context
This verse appears at the very end of 2 Chronicles chapter 35, concluding the narrative of King Josiah's reign, specifically his tragic death in battle at Megiddo against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. Josiah's rule (640-609 BCE) was a period of significant spiritual reform and renewal in Judah, including the rediscovery of the Book of the Law, the fervent cleansing of idolatry, and the reestablishment of the Passover celebration. His reign represents the high point of Judah's fidelity to God before the exile. However, the unexpected and premature death of such a righteous king presented a theological challenge to the Chronicler's audience. Verse 27, by referencing an external historical source, reaffirms the completeness of Josiah's life record while signaling that the Chronicler's immediate focus is theological lessons and specific details relevant to his post-exilic readers, rather than an exhaustive biographical account. It positions Josiah within the broader official historical framework maintained by the kingdom.
2 Chronicles 35 27 Word analysis
- And his acts:
- Original Hebrew: וּדְבָרָיו (ū-ḏə·ḇā·rāw).
- Meaning: 'Devarim' (plural of 'davar') often means "words" or "matters" but in this context broadly refers to all of King Josiah's "affairs," "deeds," or "acts of administration." It encompasses his entire life and rule, including his religious reforms, military campaigns, and diplomatic interactions. This highlights a comprehensive understanding of his kingship, beyond just his public actions.
- first and last:
- Original Hebrew: הָרִאשֹׁנִים וְהָאַחֲרוֹנִים (hā·ri·šō·nîm wə·hā·’a·ḥă·rō·nîm).
- Meaning: This is a common Hebrew idiom indicating "from beginning to end," "all-inclusive," or "the whole story." It emphasizes the totality and completeness of the record, meaning every detail from the commencement to the conclusion of his reign is available. It is not merely a reference to the chronology, but to the full extent of his history.
- behold:
- Original Hebrew: הִנָּם (hin·nām).
- Meaning: An emphatic interjection used to draw attention to something important or noteworthy, akin to "indeed" or "look!" It highlights the certainty and existence of the referenced source, providing assurance to the reader.
- they are written:
- Original Hebrew: כְּתוּבִים (kə·ṯū·ḇîm).
- Meaning: This is a passive participle, meaning "they stand as written." It confirms the objective reality and permanency of the record. The acts are not merely spoken of or remembered, but formally inscribed, ensuring their preservation and verifiability. This verb implies the act of historical documentation.
- in the book:
- Original Hebrew: עַל־סֵפֶר (‘al-sê·p̄er).
- Meaning: 'Sepher' (סֵפֶר) means "book," "scroll," or "document." The preposition 'al' ('upon') reinforces the notion of inscription onto a tangible record. This "book" represents the official, public annals of the kingdom.
- of the kings of Judah and Israel:
- Original Hebrew: מַלְכֵי יְהוּדָה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל (mal·ḵê yə·hū·ḏāh wə·yiś·rā·’êl).
- Meaning: This title refers to a larger, probably royal archival collection. This single, composite title likely encompasses both separate annals (Chronicles of the Kings of Judah and Chronicles of the Kings of Israel, as cited in the book of Kings) or a later compilation combining them. Its consistent reference by the Chronicler points to a trusted and authoritative historical source for his contemporary readers, from which he draws and interprets specific accounts. The phrasing "Judah and Israel" perhaps reflects the Chronicler's vision of a united kingdom under a Davidic king, or acknowledges shared historical archives.
- Words-group analysis:
- "And his acts, first and last": This phrase establishes the comprehensive nature of the historical account available for Josiah's reign. It communicates that nothing significant was left out of the full record, distinguishing it from the selective biblical account. It speaks to Josiah's holistic and extensive commitment.
- "behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel": This statement serves as an assurance of historical authenticity and accessibility. The Chronicler's primary narrative is divinely inspired, yet he anchors it to verifiable historical records, inviting his readers to explore the broader historical context beyond the Bible's theological emphasis. This points to the meticulous record-keeping of ancient kingdoms and underscores the Bible's factual grounding.
2 Chronicles 35 27 Bonus section
The "book of the kings of Judah and Israel" or variations like it (e.g., "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" or "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel") are repeatedly cited in both the books of Kings and Chronicles, indicating these were specific royal annals or court records from the monarchies of Judah and Israel. None of these specific "books" are preserved today outside of the biblical text itself, suggesting they were external sources utilized by the biblical authors rather than part of the divinely inspired canon. This highlights the diligent efforts of ancient scribes in maintaining detailed records and demonstrates the Bible's engagement with existing historical documentation. The Chronicler's explicit mention reinforces the verifiable nature of his account. Furthermore, the inclusion of "Israel" alongside "Judah" even after the division of the kingdom suggests either the Chronicler's theological emphasis on the unity of God's people or the existence of a comprehensive archive that tracked events pertaining to both houses. This recurring phrase also distinguishes biblical historiography: it is not inventing history but selectively retelling known historical events to convey spiritual truths and consequences for an audience learning from their past.
2 Chronicles 35 27 Commentary
2 Chronicles 35:27 serves a crucial role as a concluding historiographical marker. For the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, this verse not only assures the historical authenticity of Josiah's reign by pointing to public records but also subtly emphasizes the selective nature of the biblical account. The Bible, particularly the books of Kings and Chronicles, presents history from a theological perspective, highlighting God's interactions with His people and the consequences of their obedience or disobedience to the covenant. While the biblical text is sufficient for spiritual instruction and salvation, it does not claim to be an exhaustive record of every minute historical detail. This verse directs the reader who desires more information to the extant historical archives, affirming the Bible's reliance on genuine historical sources without needing to replicate every detail. It underscores Josiah's vast deeds ("first and last") which demanded extensive recording, implicitly pointing to his significant role in Israel's history as a king committed to God's law. This encourages readers to trust the integrity of the sacred text while recognizing its purposeful focus.