King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:15 in the King James Version says “And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilk...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 34:15 · KJV

Salvation

Context

13

Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.

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. by: Heb. by the hand of

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.

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. to thy: Heb. to the hand of, etc

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 . gathered together: Heb. poured out, or, melted

Read 2 Chronicles 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's Word driving comprehensive spiritual renewal. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיַּ֣עַן1 of 17

“answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

חִלְקִיָּ֛הוּ2 of 17

“And Hilkiah”

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙3 of 17

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל4 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁפָֽן׃5 of 17

“to Shaphan”

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

הַסּוֹפֵ֔ר6 of 17

“the scribe”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

הַסֵּ֖פֶר7 of 17

“the book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

הַתּוֹרָ֛ה8 of 17

“of the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

מָצָ֖אתִי9 of 17

“I have found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְּבֵ֣ית10 of 17

“in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֑ה11 of 17

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיִּתֵּ֧ן12 of 17

“delivered”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

חִלְקִיָּ֛הוּ13 of 17

“And Hilkiah”

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

אֶת14 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַסֵּ֖פֶר15 of 17

“the book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

אֶל16 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁפָֽן׃17 of 17

“to Shaphan”

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 34:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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