King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:21 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:21 in the King James Version says “Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

2 Chronicles 34:21 · KJV


Context

19

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.

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, Abdon: or, Achbor

21

Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

22

And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath , the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect. Hasrah: or, Harhas, 2.kings.22.14. wardrobe: Heb. garments in the college: or, in the school, or, in the second part

23

And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

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 · 35 words
לְכוּ֩1 of 35
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

דִרְשׁ֨וּ2 of 35

enquire

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

אֶת3 of 35
H853

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

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 35

of the LORD

H3068

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

בַּֽעֲדִ֗י5 of 35
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

וּבְעַד֙6 of 35
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

הַנִּשְׁאָר֙7 of 35

for me and for them that are left

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל8 of 35

in Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּבִֽיהוּדָ֔ה9 of 35

and in Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עַל10 of 35
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דְּבַ֣ר11 of 35

concerning the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַסֵּ֥פֶר12 of 35

in this book

H5612

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 35
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִמְצָ֑א14 of 35

that is 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

כִּֽי15 of 35
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גְדוֹלָ֤ה16 of 35

for great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

חֲמַת17 of 35

is the wrath

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

יְהוָ֔ה18 of 35

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר19 of 35
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִתְּכָ֣ה20 of 35

that is poured out

H5413

to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify

בָ֔נוּ21 of 35
H0
עַל֩22 of 35
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲשֶׁ֨ר23 of 35
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא24 of 35
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁמְר֤וּ25 of 35

have not kept

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֲבוֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙26 of 35

upon us because our fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֶת27 of 35
H853

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

דְּבַ֣ר28 of 35

concerning the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֔ה29 of 35

of the LORD

H3068

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

לַֽעֲשׂ֕וֹת30 of 35

to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כְּכָל31 of 35
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַכָּת֖וּב32 of 35

after all that is written

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

עַל33 of 35
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַסֵּ֥פֶר34 of 35

in this book

H5612

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

הַזֶּֽה׃35 of 35
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 34:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 34:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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