2 Kings 15 31

2 Kings 15:31 kjv

And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15:31 nkjv

Now the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, indeed they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15:31 niv

As for the other events of Pekah's reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

2 Kings 15:31 esv

Now the rest of the acts of Pekah and all that he did, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15:31 nlt

The rest of the events in Pekah's reign and everything he did are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel.

2 Kings 15 verses

2 Kings 15 31 Meaning

This verse serves as a concluding statement to the reign of King Pekah of Israel, indicating that further details of his rule and deeds were recorded elsewhere. It signifies the compiler of the Books of Kings drawing upon existing historical annals, underscoring that the biblical account is a selective theological narrative, not a comprehensive secular history. The phrase points to external, state-sponsored historical records available during the time of the biblical writer.

2 Kings 15 31 Context

This verse immediately follows the description of Pekah's twenty-year reign over Israel, detailing his evil acts and his eventual assassination by Hoshea, the son of Elah. It serves as the standard concluding editorial formula in the Books of Kings, marking the transition from one king's rule to the next, specifically in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The historical period is one of severe decline and instability for Israel, facing increasing pressure from the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The compiler of Kings utilizes this consistent framework to move through the reigns of the various monarchs, often providing moral assessments (doing evil or good in the Lord's sight) while referencing broader, secular chronicles for a more comprehensive historical record.

2 Kings 15 31 Word analysis

• and the rest: The Hebrew יֶתֶר (yeter) means "the remainder," "what is left," or "the rest." It implies that the biblical narrative is a summary, focusing on the theologically significant aspects of a king's reign, rather than presenting a complete biographical or administrative account. This emphasizes the selective nature of Scripture.
• of the acts: The Hebrew דִּבְרֵי (divrei) means "the words," "the matters," "the affairs," or "the deeds." This is a broad term encompassing the full scope of a king's administration, military campaigns, internal policies, and personal conduct. It suggests a vast range of events beyond what the biblical text details.
• Pekah: פֶּקַח (Peqaḥ), meaning "open-eyed," "seeing," or "watchful." Pekah was an Israelite army captain who usurped the throne, reigned for twenty years, and ultimately fell victim to the tumultuous political climate and the rise of Assyrian power, marked by a destructive policy of invading Judah alongside Rezin of Aram.
• and all that he did: This phrase reinforces the idea that the "rest of the acts" refers to the totality of his kingly functions and events. It serves to include both his documented accomplishments and failures, and other unreported incidents.
• behold, they are written: הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים (hinnam kethuvim). The emphatic "behold them" (hinnam) asserts the concrete existence and public availability of these historical records. It authenticates the biblical narrative by pointing to external sources, indicating that the biblical account is grounded in actual history. This form is common in ancient near Eastern historical writings.
• in the book: סֵפֶר (sefer), "scroll" or "volume." This refers to official written documents.
• of the chronicles: דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים (divrei ha-yamim), literally "the words of the days" or "the annals of the days." This refers to the official royal state annals, or court records, kept by scribes appointed by the kings. These were distinct from the biblical Book of Chronicles. Such records typically documented key events, appointments, decrees, and achievements.
• of the kings of Israel: This specifically designates the Northern Kingdom, distinguished from "the kings of Judah." This phrase maintains the narrative's distinction between the two separate kingdoms after the division of the monarchy, highlighting their independent historical records.
• and the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did: This phrase functions as a comprehensive summary clause. It emphasizes the Bible's focus not on an exhaustive recounting of events but on the significance of these events within God's redemptive plan and covenant history, indicating a theological purpose over purely historical detail.
• behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel: This complete concluding formula provides a seal of historical authenticity to the summarized biblical account. It implies that the biblical author either consulted or was aware of the comprehensive royal archives, assuring the reader that the concise account presented is substantiated by fuller, verifiable records.

2 Kings 15 31 Bonus section

• The "Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel" (and of Judah) were official court records, likely compiled by court scribes. These are now lost to history but were vital primary sources for the biblical authors of Kings.
• The recurring nature of this formula across various kings emphasizes a consistent method of historical compilation and referencing employed by the biblical writers. It points to a well-established scribal tradition in ancient Israel and Judah.
• While these external chronicles contained much secular detail, the biblical writer of Kings meticulously extracted information relevant to God's covenant with Israel and Judah, often highlighting the kings' obedience or disobedience as the lens through which their reigns were evaluated. This selection process elevates the spiritual lessons over mere historical facts.
• This literary device also allows the biblical narrative to maintain focus on the theological message and the unfolding of God's purposes, rather than getting bogged down in minute administrative or geopolitical details.

2 Kings 15 31 Commentary

This verse serves as a crucial editorial note in the Book of Kings, typical for nearly every king. It highlights the source-oriented nature of the biblical text, referencing state archives for comprehensive details of King Pekah's reign beyond what is provided in the inspired narrative. The writer's purpose is not to exhaustively document political or military history, but to trace God's interaction with His covenant people. By directing the reader to the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel," the author attests to the historical basis of the summarized account, implying that a more extensive, publicly accessible record existed and corroborated the biblical overview. This affirms the reliability and accuracy of Scripture, even while it remains a theologically driven narrative focusing on the king's fidelity or apostasy towards God's law. It also underscores that human history, even what is deemed exhaustive, is still finite compared to God's infinite knowledge of all events.