2 Kings 23 17

2 Kings 23:17 kjv

Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.

2 Kings 23:17 nkjv

Then he said, "What gravestone is this that I see?" So the men of the city told him, "It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you have done against the altar of Bethel."

2 Kings 23:17 niv

The king asked, "What is that tombstone I see?" The people of the city said, "It marks the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and pronounced against the altar of Bethel the very things you have done to it."

2 Kings 23:17 esv

Then he said, "What is that monument that I see?" And the men of the city told him, "It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted these things that you have done against the altar at Bethel."

2 Kings 23:17 nlt

"What is that monument over there?" Josiah asked. And the people of the town told him, "It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted the very things that you have just done to the altar at Bethel!"

2 Kings 23 verses

2 Kings 23 17 Meaning

This verse describes King Josiah's pivotal inquiry concerning a specific landmark in Bethel, revealing it to be the tomb of the "man of God" from Judah. It explicitly links Josiah's present actions of purifying the land and desecrating the altar at Bethel with a divine prophecy spoken centuries earlier, thus validating the prophecy's exact fulfillment and affirming God's long-standing purposes. The passage highlights divine distinction and preservation amidst widespread destruction of idolatry.

2 Kings 23 17 Context

2 Kings chapter 23 details King Josiah's sweeping religious reforms throughout Judah and Israel, aiming to eradicate all forms of idolatry and restore pure Yahwism. Following the discovery of the Book of the Law, Josiah leads a covenant renewal ceremony and then systematically purges the land of its idolatrous sites, cult objects, and priests. This verse specifically occurs during his efforts to destroy the primary northern cultic center at Bethel, originally established by King Jeroboam I. His desecration of the Bethel altar and surrounding high places leads him to notice a specific monument, prompting his inquiry and the subsequent revelation of a long-fulfilled prophecy, adding a profound theological dimension to his reforms.

2 Kings 23 17 Word analysis

• Then he said: Josiah's initiative and leadership in cleansing the land. This indicates a pause in his active destruction for an observation and inquiry.
• “What monument (צִיּוֹן, tsiyyon): Refers to a marker, sign, or monument, specifically a tombstone or marker for a burial site. Josiah perceives it as something out of place among the other destroyed idolatrous structures, prompting his curiosity. It denotes something specifically marked out, hinting at significance.
• is that which I see?”: Josiah's direct observation and questioning highlight his attentiveness and desire to understand unique features amidst the common desecration.
• And the men of the city told him: Indicates local knowledge and a preserved memory within the community about the monument's significance. This oral tradition served to carry the memory of the prophet’s warning and demise across centuries.
• “It is the tomb (קֶבֶר, qeber): A clear identification of the tsiyyon as a grave, distinguishing it from other structures being demolished. Its survival confirms God's sovereignty even in judgment.
• of the man of God (אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, ish ha'elohim): A respected and formal title for a prophet, indicating divine authorization and the communication of God's message. This signifies his distinct relationship with the Lord, despite his tragic end in 1 Kings 13.
• who came from Judah: Specifies his geographical origin, distinguishing him as a prophet of the Southern Kingdom who travelled to the Northern Kingdom (Israel) to deliver a message against their primary idolatrous site, Bethel, which had originally been 'the house of God' but was now a house of rebellion.
• and proclaimed these things: Refers to the specific prophecy uttered by the man of God against Jeroboam's altar in 1 Kings 13:1-2. This includes the burning of bones on the altar by a future king named Josiah.
• that you have done against the altar of Bethel.”: This directly connects Josiah's actions to the ancient prophecy, confirming its exact fulfillment. It underscores divine prescience and the inevitability of God's word coming to pass.

• "What monument is that which I see?" and "It is the tomb of the man of God...": This exchange demonstrates God's perfect timing and memory. Josiah's unintentional stumble upon this specific tomb underlines the precise fulfillment of a centuries-old prophecy (1 Ki 13:1-2), validating divine foreknowledge. The contrast between Josiah's widespread destruction of ungodly graves/bones and the specific inquiry/sparing of this prophet's tomb highlights divine discernment and purpose.
• "man of God who came from Judah": Emphasizes the origin and divine commissioning of the prophet. His journey from Judah (the seat of the legitimate Davidic kingship and true worship in Jerusalem) to Bethel (the center of illegitimate Jeroboamite worship) symbolizes the conflict between true and false worship. The distinction of his tomb is a powerful reminder that while human actions and failures abound, God's word always stands and comes to pass.
• "proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel": This phrase ties together three crucial elements: divine prophecy ("proclaimed"), human action fulfilling it ("you have done"), and the specific target ("the altar of Bethel"). It reveals the profound theological principle of God using human instruments, even generations later, to achieve His prophetic word against sin and idolatry. It's a testament to the unchangeable word of God that transcends human lifespan.

2 Kings 23 17 Bonus section

The careful preservation of the man of God's tomb and bones contrasts sharply with the widespread burning of other human bones on the idolatrous altars (2 Ki 23:16). This specific exemption is significant because, according to Jewish law, touching or being near graves made one ritually unclean. By disturbing the graves and burning bones of the idolatrous priests on their own altars, Josiah rendered these sites permanently defiled and unusable for any future worship, thus implementing a permanent barrier to the restoration of false worship there. However, the graves of the man of God and the old prophet who led him astray (1 Ki 13:30-31) were explicitly spared from desecration, maintaining their sacred separation. This distinction signifies God's recognition of the prophet's original, divinely given message, irrespective of his subsequent disobedience that led to his death. It also serves as a polemic against the assumption that all graves are equally defiling in a reform context, emphasizing divine selection and purpose in judgment.

2 Kings 23 17 Commentary

This verse serves as a climactic moment in Josiah's reformation, illustrating God's meticulous and long-term fulfillment of His prophetic word. The fact that Josiah himself, unknowingly, enacted a prophecy made three centuries prior against the very site where Jeroboam initiated a national sin is a powerful demonstration of divine sovereignty and memory. The unique preservation and recognition of the "man of God's" tomb—despite the widespread desecration of other graves and bones—highlights God's enduring regard for His true servants and His word, even those who experienced personal failure. It shows that even amidst the righteous wrath against idolatry, God differentiates between the unfaithful priests and those who carried His divine message, preserving the testimony of their integrity even in death. It solidifies the truth that every word God speaks will surely come to pass, often through unexpected means and over extended periods of time, offering strong assurance to those who believe His promises.