2 Kings 15 6

2 Kings 15:6 kjv

And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 15:6 nkjv

Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 15:6 niv

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

2 Kings 15:6 esv

Now the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

2 Kings 15:6 nlt

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

2 Kings 15 verses

2 Kings 15 6 Meaning

This verse serves as a customary concluding formula for the description of a king's reign in the books of Kings. It signifies the end of Uzziah's (also known as Azariah) kingship in Judah, asserting that a more extensive record of his deeds exists and is accessible in the official royal annals, the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah." It summarily indicates that all his actions, beyond what is detailed in the biblical narrative, were recorded for historical posterity, highlighting the comprehensive nature of royal record-keeping in ancient Judah.

2 Kings 15 6 Context

2 Kings 15 rapidly surveys a turbulent period in both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. It begins with the relatively long and initially prosperous reign of Azariah (Uzziah) in Judah, but then quickly moves to a succession of short, often violent, reigns in Israel, indicating a spiraling decline towards the kingdom's ultimate collapse. Within this chapter, Azariah's (Uzziah's) reign of 52 years stands out as a significant period for Judah, yet the biblical account here is notably brief, only highlighting his affliction with leprosy and his eventual death and succession. Verse 6 specifically functions as the concluding formula for this brief overview of his kingship in 2 Kings, signaling the shift from Uzziah's reign to his successor, Jotham. Historically, Uzziah's time (c. 792/791–740/739 BC) was a period of stability, military strength, and agricultural expansion for Judah, especially after years of Aramean pressure. However, this period of prosperity also bred pride, which, as revealed in 2 Chronicles, led to Uzziah's downfall and leprosy.

2 Kings 15 6 Word analysis

• The rest of the acts: Hebrew: יֶתֶר (yeṯer - "remainder," "rest") הַדְּבָרִים (haddevarim - "the words" or "the affairs/matters"). In this context, it refers to the remainder of his deeds, achievements, policies, and significant events of his reign that are not detailed in the biblical text of Kings. This phrase acknowledges that the biblical narrative is selective, focusing on events with theological or historical significance relevant to the overarching message of Kings, which tracks the covenant faithfulness (or lack thereof) of the kings and its consequences.
• of Uzziah: Hebrew: עֻזִּיָּהוּ (ʿUzzîyāhû), meaning "My Strength is Yahweh." This king is also frequently called Azariah (עֲזַרְיָהוּ ʿĂzaryāhû), meaning "Yahweh has helped," as seen in 2 Kgs 15:1. Scholars debate whether these are two interchangeable names, a birth name and a throne name, or regional dialectical variations. In the Septuagint, the Greek translation predominantly uses "Azarias." Regardless of the specific name used, the identity of the king is clear: the son of Amaziah who reigned for 52 years. The use of both names can be seen across various biblical texts and traditions concerning this king.
• and all that he did: This expansive phrase emphasizes the comprehensive scope of the unmentioned records. It suggests that every aspect of his kingship, military campaigns, building projects, reforms, or even daily governance, were cataloged elsewhere. This provides credibility to the biblical account by pointing to broader historical documentation beyond the text itself, demonstrating that the biblical author was well-informed and selecting what was most pertinent to the spiritual narrative.
• are they not written: This rhetorical question is a common literary device used throughout the books of Kings (appearing 28 times). It serves multiple purposes: it affirms the historicity and existence of comprehensive official records, directs the reader to external sources for more detail, and indirectly authenticates the biblical narrative by presenting itself as derived from reliable historical accounts. This reinforces the factual basis of the biblical history, even if its focus is primarily theological.
• in the book of the chronicles: Hebrew: סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים (sēfer divrēy hayyamim), literally "book of the words of the days." This refers to official state annals or court records compiled by royal scribes and kept in the king's archives. These were primary sources for much of the historical data concerning the reigns of the kings of Judah and Israel. Unlike the biblical "Books of Chronicles" (which were written much later and offered a theological re-narration), "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" signifies these governmental, factual archives, ensuring a high degree of historical veracity in the background to the biblical narrative.
• of the kings of Judah?: This specific designation distinguishes the royal annals of the Southern Kingdom from those of the Northern Kingdom (as also frequently mentioned, e.g., "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel"). This differentiation underscores the distinct historical paths and political structures of the two divided kingdoms, yet it also subtly implies the broader scope of divine observation and record-keeping over both. The meticulous referencing of these distinct archives highlights the author's attention to historical accuracy and his reliance on verifiable public records accessible to the original audience.

2 Kings 15 6 Bonus section

• The common editorial formula, "Now the rest of the acts of [king's name]... are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of [Judah/Israel]?" is found 28 times in Kings, primarily for the Judean kings. This consistency suggests a reliance on a uniform source document.
• Uzziah's reign (52 years) was one of the longest in Judah's history, second only to Manasseh. His significant achievements in military strength, border expansion, fortifying Jerusalem, and agricultural advancements are extensively detailed in 2 Chronicles 26. The brevity in Kings (only four verses for his entire reign in 2 Kings 15:1-7) highlights the different theological focus of the two biblical books. Kings emphasizes the religious fidelity of the monarchs as the key determinant of national fate, thus focusing on Uzziah's pride and leprosy as central to his kingship, while Chronicles focuses on the temple, priesthood, and the prosperity brought by obedience.
• The leprosy of Uzziah is a crucial detail for understanding the biblical emphasis on the sacredness of the priesthood and the consequences of violating God's commands. While 2 Kings only states he was a leper until his death and lived in a separate house (2 Kgs 15:5), 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 explicitly links his leprosy to his arrogant attempt to burn incense in the temple, an act reserved for the priests, and his resistance to correction. This served as a powerful lesson against presumption and self-exaltation before God, even for a divinely blessed king.

2 Kings 15 6 Commentary

This verse, 2 Kings 15:6, functions as a standardized editorial conclusion for Uzziah's reign in the Deuteronomistic History, found consistently throughout the Books of Kings. While concise, its implications are profound. Firstly, it underscores the historiographical practice of the ancient world, where meticulous state records, or "chronicles," were kept for royal acts. The biblical author, through this rhetorical question, points the reader beyond the immediate text to a broader body of information, thereby validating the historical authenticity of his selective account. For Uzziah, this external reference (most significantly the fuller account in 2 Chronicles 26) provides essential details that 2 Kings omits, such as his military successes, extensive building projects, agricultural development, and crucial downfall due to pride (his unauthorized entry into the Temple to offer incense), which led to his leprosy. Kings chooses to focus primarily on his leprosy and death, serving its own theological agenda which traces the monarchy's decline due to disobedience. This formula ensures accountability, indicating that every action of the king was not only recorded in earthly annals but ultimately noted in the divine record. It teaches that human endeavors and power are temporary, subject to the brevity of life and the ultimate judgment implied by the very act of record-keeping. It serves as a consistent reminder to the audience that there is a wider testimony to God's hand in history, both in blessing and judgment, reflecting the reality that every life, especially that of a leader, stands as a public testimony of either obedience or rebellion.