2 Kings 22 3

2 Kings 22:3 kjv

And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,

2 Kings 22:3 nkjv

Now it came to pass, in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the scribe, the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying:

2 Kings 22:3 niv

In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the secretary, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the temple of the LORD. He said:

2 Kings 22:3 esv

In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the LORD, saying,

2 Kings 22:3 nlt

In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, the court secretary, to the Temple of the LORD. He told him,

2 Kings 22 verses

2 Kings 22 3 Meaning

2 Kings 22:3 describes King Josiah's proactive initiative in the eighteenth year of his reign, commissioning his trusted scribe, Shaphan, to go to the Temple of the Lord. This action was primarily for the purpose of initiating repairs and restoration of the sacred house, setting the stage for significant spiritual revival and the profound discovery of the Book of the Law. It highlights a pivotal moment where a righteous king prioritized the physical and spiritual condition of God's dwelling place.

2 Kings 22 3 Context

Chapter 22 of 2 Kings opens in the eighteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. Josiah is distinct from his wicked predecessors (Manasseh and Amon) because he "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Kgs 22:2), walking in the ways of his ancestor David. This verse (2 Kgs 22:3) marks a significant turning point in Josiah's reign, focusing on a critical phase of his wider religious reform. While 2 Chr 34 indicates that Josiah had already begun purging Judah of idolatry and seeking God from a younger age (his 8th and 12th years, respectively), 2 Kings emphasizes the administrative action regarding the Temple. The deplorable state of the Temple—likely neglected and desecrated during the long, idolatrous reigns of Manasseh and Amon—necessitated immediate attention. Josiah's sending of Shaphan to initiate these repairs foreshadows the monumental discovery of the Book of the Law within the Temple, an event that would further propel his reformation efforts across Judah. Historically, this period aligns with the decline of Assyrian power, which might have provided Josiah the necessary autonomy to carry out his extensive religious and political reforms without significant external interference.

2 Kings 22 3 Word analysis

• In the eighteenth year: This signifies a specific, mature stage of Josiah's reign (he became king at age eight, making him twenty-six at this time). It suggests a time of settled authority and deliberate action, following a period of earlier reforms and purging of idolatry according to 2 Chr 34:3-7. The year is significant for the discovery of the Law.
• King Josiah: Identifies the specific ruler of Judah, whose reign (640-609 BC) is presented as one of the most righteous and faithful after David and Hezekiah. His character (2 Kgs 22:2) is crucial for understanding his motivation for temple repair.
• sent (שָׁלַח, shalach): A common Hebrew verb meaning "to send," "dispatch," or "stretch out." Here, it denotes an official, authoritative commission by the king. It implies a deliberate action, not a casual suggestion.
• Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam: This is a specific individual, clearly identified by his lineage, highlighting his importance and trusted position. Shaphan was a highly esteemed and literate royal scribe/secretary (סֹפֵר, sopher). His family, specifically his son Ahikam and grandson Gedaliah, remained prominent officials in subsequent years, showing their ongoing significance.
• the scribe (הַסֹּפֵר, ha-sopher): This title, sopher, means more than just a person who writes. In ancient Near Eastern courts, a scribe or royal secretary was a high-ranking official, a literate administrator who managed royal archives, oversaw financial matters, and could draft and interpret documents. Shaphan's position made him uniquely qualified to deal with Temple funds and, critically, to recognize and read the rediscovered Law.
• to the house of the Lord: Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central sanctuary for the worship of Yahweh. Its designation as "the house of the Lord" (Yahweh) emphasizes its sacredness and the object of Josiah's devotion. The state of the Temple was a barometer of the spiritual health of the nation.
• saying: Introduces the king's direct instruction or decree. This structure signifies the king's initiative and authority, and it also anticipates the message or instructions that will follow, indicating the beginning of the subsequent narrative.

Words-group analysis:

• King Josiah sent Shaphan... the scribe: This grouping emphasizes the collaboration between the righteous king and his trusted, high-ranking official. It highlights that the initiative for reform stemmed from the top leadership and was implemented through competent and trusted subordinates. It suggests administrative competence guided by piety.
• to the house of the Lord, saying: This phrase connects the royal command directly to the Temple, indicating that the immediate focus of Josiah's zeal was the sacred dwelling of God. The phrase "saying" then introduces the specific instructions regarding the Temple's restoration, leading into the narrative of financial arrangements for the repair work. This sets the scene for the discovery that follows.

2 Kings 22 3 Bonus section

While 2 Kings 22 focuses on the discovery of the Law during the Temple repair in Josiah's eighteenth year, 2 Chronicles 34 provides a more extensive timeline of Josiah's reforms. It states that Josiah began seeking the Lord in his eighth regnal year (c. 633 BCE) and commenced a more widespread cleansing of idolatry throughout Judah and even Israelite territory in his twelfth year (c. 629 BCE). The actions described in 2 Kings 22:3—sending Shaphan for Temple repair—are part of the culmination of these earlier efforts. This harmonization suggests that the physical repair of the Temple, and thus the discovery of the Law, was not a sudden impulse but part of an ongoing, systematic program of spiritual and physical restoration initiated years prior. The distinct emphasis in 2 Kings on the Temple repair specifically highlights its critical role in precipitating the Law's discovery and subsequent revival.

2 Kings 22 3 Commentary

2 Kings 22:3 presents the initial, tangible step of King Josiah's dedicated efforts to restore pure worship in Judah. After generations of neglect and widespread idolatry under kings like Manasseh and Amon, the Temple had fallen into disrepair. Josiah, having established himself as a king committed to following God, initiated this work in his eighteenth year. His action was not a superficial cleanup but a strategic move that reflects both practical wisdom in identifying a loyal and competent official (Shaphan the scribe) and deep spiritual conviction. By dispatching Shaphan to oversee the collection of funds for repair, Josiah created the immediate context and physical activity within the Temple that providentially led to the discovery of the Book of the Law. This verse, therefore, is crucial; it marks the administrative genesis of the most significant spiritual revival since Hezekiah, transforming a king's administrative task into a catalyst for profound national repentance and covenant renewal. It illustrates how even practical and seemingly mundane tasks, undertaken with a pure heart and intent for God's glory, can open the door for remarkable divine intervention and revelation.