2 Kings 23 18

2 Kings 23:18 kjv

And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.

2 Kings 23:18 nkjv

And he said, "Let him alone; let no one move his bones." So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.

2 Kings 23:18 niv

"Leave it alone," he said. "Don't let anyone disturb his bones." So they spared his bones and those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.

2 Kings 23:18 esv

And he said, "Let him be; let no man move his bones." So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.

2 Kings 23:18 nlt

Josiah replied, "Leave it alone. Don't disturb his bones." So they did not burn his bones or those of the old prophet from Samaria.

2 Kings 23 verses

2 Kings 23 18 Meaning

2 Kings 23:18 records King Josiah's direct command to spare the bones found in a particular grave near the altar at Bethel, declaring they belonged to a true prophet of God who had prophesied against the very idolatrous altar Josiah was now destroying. This act distinguishes the prophet's sacred remains from the pagan bones he was burning, signifying a recognition of divine truth amidst widespread idolatry and showcasing the remarkable fulfillment of a prophecy made centuries earlier concerning this very altar.

2 Kings 23 18 Context

Verse 18 is situated within the broader narrative of King Josiah’s extensive religious reforms, meticulously detailed in 2 Kings 23:4-20 and paralleled in 2 Chronicles 34:3-7. Josiah, having discovered the Book of the Law, responded with profound humility and repentance, initiating a widespread purge of idolatry throughout Judah and the former Northern Kingdom's territory (Israel).

Immediately preceding this verse, Josiah has systematically dismantled the cult centers, destroyed idols, desecrated high places, and specifically targeted the altar at Bethel, which Jeroboam I had established for calf worship centuries earlier (1 Kings 12). A powerful part of his desecration was the burning of the bones of pagan priests on their altars (2 Ki 23:16). While executing this, Josiah noticed a marked tomb and inquired about it. This verse describes his specific instruction concerning that tomb, distinguishing it from the common graves of idolaters. The inquiry (in 2 Ki 23:17) revealed the tomb belonged to "the man of God who came from Judah" and who had, approximately three centuries prior, delivered a precise prophecy foretelling Josiah's very actions against this altar (1 Ki 13:1-2). Crucially, this same man of God was deceived and killed by an old prophet from Bethel, and subsequently buried in the old prophet's grave (1 Ki 13:26-32).

Thus, this verse highlights a precise fulfillment of divine prophecy and a testament to God's remembrance of His faithful servants, even in death and despite unfortunate circumstances.

2 Kings 23 18 Word analysis

• Then he said: The Hebrew Vayomer (וַיֹּאמֶר) signifies a direct utterance by King Josiah, emphasizing his personal authority and immediate discernment in a critical moment. It indicates a pause in the general destruction for a specific, directed command.
• “Let him alone;”: The Hebrew Hirpu lo (הַרְפּוּ־לֹוֹ) is a strong imperative from the verb raphah (רָפָה), meaning "to relax, abandon, let go, cease." It implies a decisive order to halt all actions related to disturbing this specific grave. This command stands in stark contrast to Josiah's relentless desecration of other tombs.
• “let no man move his bones.”: The phrase ʾal-yanniaḥ ʾish ʻaṣmôtāyw (אַל־יַנִּיעַ אִישׁ עַצְמוֹתָיו).
  • ʾal-yanniaḥ: A negative imperative ("do not let move" or "let not"). From the verb nuach (נוּחַ), meaning "to rest, settle," but here in the Hiphil stem, "to set, place," which in this context means "to disturb or displace."
  • ʾish: (אִישׁ) "man" or "anyone," emphasizing that no individual, regardless of their role in the reforms, should touch these specific remains.
  • ʻaṣmôtāyw: (עַצְמֹתָיו) "his bones." ʻEṣem (עֶצֶם) for "bone" refers to the remains of the deceased person, symbolizing the entire individual or their legacy. In ancient cultures, disturbing or scattering bones was the ultimate act of disrespect and spiritual annihilation, preventing peace for the departed and erasing memory. Spared bones signified preservation and honor.
• So they left his bones undisturbed,: The Hebrew Vayaẓiylu ʻaṣmôtāyw (וַיַּצִּיל֤וּ אֶת־עַצְמוֹתָיו) literally translates to "and they rescued/spared his bones." This verb naẓal (נָצַל) often means "to deliver, snatch away from danger." It implies that these bones were actively protected from the general desecration, underscoring the king’s deliberate and precise instruction. It confirms immediate obedience.
• together with the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria.: ʻim ʻaṣmôt hanāvî ʾasher bā’ mish-Shomron (עִ֚ם עַצְמ֣וֹת הַנָּבִ֔יא אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖א מִשֹּׁמְרֽוֹן).
  • ʻim ʻaṣmôt: "together with the bones of." This signifies their shared resting place, an arrangement stemming from 1 Kings 13.
  • hanāvî: (הַנָּבִיא) "the prophet." Refers to the "old prophet" of Bethel (1 Ki 13), who deceived the man of God from Judah and later asked to be buried with him. The term navi designates a divinely commissioned messenger.
  • ʾasher bā’ mish-Shomron: "who had come from Samaria." Shomron (שֹׁמְרוֹן), "Samaria," refers to the geographical region of the northern kingdom, of which Bethel was a part (though the city of Samaria became the capital later). The phrase uniquely identifies the local prophet, whose burial wishes ensured the two prophets shared a grave. This unintended outcome for the "old prophet" means his bones were also protected from desecration due to their proximity to the true prophet. This showcases God's intricate providence, allowing a prophecy to be perfectly fulfilled, even involving secondary figures.

2 Kings 23 18 Bonus section

• In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the scattering or burning of bones was considered the ultimate act of posthumous dishonor, meant to completely sever a person's connection to their land and lineage, effectively annihilating their memory and spiritual continuity. By protecting the prophet's bones, God ensures his lasting remembrance and vindication.
• The fact that the "old prophet" from Bethel, who had tragically led the "man of God from Judah" to his death (1 Kings 13), requested to be buried alongside him ("bury my bones beside his bones") is ironically the very reason his own bones were spared from desecration. God, in His providence, used even the self-serving desire of a flawed prophet to perfectly fulfill His word and preserve the resting place of His true servant.
• This account is unique in the Old Testament, showcasing a specific act of reverence for a particular prophet's grave centuries after his death, contrasting with the general destruction of idolatrous shrines and associated graves. It emphasizes that divine promise transcends human frailties and the passage of time.

2 Kings 23 18 Commentary

2 Kings 23:18 serves as a striking culmination of the prophecy initiated some three centuries earlier (1 Kings 13:1-2) regarding King Josiah's precise actions at the altar of Bethel. Amidst his zealous and sweeping reforms, which involved desecrating idolatrous altars by burning the bones of their wicked priests upon them, Josiah encounters a tomb whose inscription immediately catches his eye (verse 17). This unique detail prompts him to pause the universal destruction and inquire. The discovery that this marked grave belongs to the very prophet who foretold these events not only validates his identity as a true messenger of God but also ensures his remains are protected.

This moment underscores several profound theological points. Firstly, it powerfully demonstrates God's perfect memory and unwavering commitment to His prophetic word. Despite the passage of centuries, the specific circumstances of the man of God's death, and his burial alongside the deceitful "old prophet," God ensured the integrity of His servant's resting place. Secondly, Josiah's command to "let him alone" contrasts sharply with his treatment of other graves, highlighting divine distinction. While the bones of idolaters and false priests were incinerated as a form of ultimate judgment and effacement of memory, the true prophet's bones were consecrated, even inadvertently extending protection to the bones of his deceiver due to their shared burial. This seemingly random act of sparing a specific tomb serves as a public declaration of God's validation of His authentic messengers, separating truth from error even in death. Finally, it portrays Josiah as a king not only committed to justice and purity but also imbued with a spirit of discernment, respecting and confirming divine prophecy, further validating his own reign as God-ordained. This incident cemented the prophetic authority and future certainty of God's plans.