What does 2 Chronicles 34:19 mean?
"And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes." - 2 Chronicles 34:19
2 Chronicles 34:19 - "And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes."
2 Chronicles 34:19 (KJV) - "And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes."
This verse, found in the Old Testament of the Bible, is from the book of 2 Chronicles, which is a historical account of the reign of various kings of Judah. In this particular verse, we see King Josiah's reaction upon hearing the words of the Law of God. The phrase "rent his clothes" indicates a deep sense of sorrow and repentance upon realizing the deviation from God's Word.
To fully understand the significance of this verse, we must first consider the historical and cultural context in which it was written. King Josiah reigned during a period of great spiritual decline in Judah. Idolatry and corruption had become widespread, and the people had turned away from following the commandments of God. It was in this context that the high priest, Hilkiah, discovered the Book of the Law in the temple. When King Josiah heard the words of the Law, he was deeply moved and tore his clothes in anguish, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the need for repentance.
The tearing of clothes was a common act of mourning and repentance in ancient Jewish culture. It symbolized a deep sense of grief and an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. In the case of King Josiah, his action of tearing his clothes symbolized his repentance and his commitment to seek reconciliation with God. This act signified his acknowledgment of the severity of the situation and his determination to make amends.
The theme of repentance and revival is central to this verse. King Josiah's reaction serves as a powerful example of genuine repentance and the desire to align oneself with the will of God. His response demonstrates the importance of recognizing and acknowledging one's sin, as well as the need for a heartfelt turning back to God. It also emphasizes the transformative power of encountering the Word of God, which has the ability to convict and lead to a change of heart.
Furthermore, this verse highlights the significance of the Word of God in shaping the lives of individuals and nations. The impact of hearing the Law led King Josiah to instigate widespread reforms, including the cleansing of the temple, the eradication of idolatry, and the restoration of proper worship. This underscores the transformative and influential nature of the Scriptures, which have the power to bring about spiritual awakening and societal change.
In a broader sense, this verse serves as a reminder of the timeless relevance of the Word of God. It encourages believers to approach the Scriptures with reverence and attentiveness, recognizing its authority and allowing it to shape their lives and actions. King Josiah's response to the Law serves as a model for all believers, urging them to respond with humility, repentance, and obedience upon encountering the truths of God's Word.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 34:19 portrays King Josiah's profound reaction to hearing the words of the Law. It exemplifies the themes of repentance, revival, and the transformative power of the Word of God. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of humbly submitting to the authority of the Scriptures and allowing its truths to bring about genuine change in one's life. It also underscores the enduring relevance of the Word of God in shaping the hearts and destinies of individuals and nations.
2 Chronicles 34:19 Artwork
2 Chronicles 34:19 - "And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes."
2 Chronicles 34:29 - "¶ Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 34:5 - "And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem."
2 Kings 19:34 - "For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake."
2 Chronicles 35:19 - "In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept."
2 Chronicles 10:19 - "And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day."
2 Chronicles 11:19 - "Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham."
1 Chronicles 2:34 - "¶ Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha."
Luke 19:34 - "And they said, The Lord hath need of him."
2 Chronicles 34:17 - "And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen."
2 Chronicles 34:2 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left."
2 Chronicles 19:1 - "And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 15:19 - "And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa."
2 Chronicles 34:6 - "And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about."
2 Chronicles 34:1 - "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years."
2 Chronicles 34:23 - "¶ And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,"
2 Chronicles 34:18 - "Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king."
2 Chronicles 34:10 - "And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and amend the house:"
2 Kings 10:34 - "Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Chronicles 34:14 - "¶ And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses."
1 Chronicles 4:34 - "And Meshobab, and Jamlech, and Joshah the son of Amaziah,"
2 Chronicles 34:20 - "And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,"
2 Chronicles 34:16 - "And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it."
2 Chronicles 34:11 - "Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed."
2 Chronicles 20:34 - "Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel."
2 Chronicles 34:15 - "And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan."
2 Chronicles 34:32 - "And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers."
2 Samuel 19:34 - "And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?"
2 Chronicles 19:5 - "¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,"
2 Kings 12:19 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"