King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:3 in the King James Version says “For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.”

2 Chronicles 34:3 · KJV

Context

1

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.

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.

3

For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

4

And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. the images: or, the sun images graves: Heb. face of the graves

5

And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.

Read 2 Chronicles 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

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 · 24 words
וּבִשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה1 of 24

“For in the eighth”

H8083

a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth

שָׁנָ֗ה2 of 24

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְמָלְכ֗וֹ3 of 24

“of his reign”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

וְהוּא֙4 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ5 of 24
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

נַ֔עַר6 of 24

“while he was yet young”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

הֵחֵל֙7 of 24

“he began”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

לִדְר֕וֹשׁ8 of 24

“to seek”

H1875

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

לֵֽאלֹהֵ֖י9 of 24

“after the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

דָּוִ֣יד10 of 24

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אָבִ֑יו11 of 24

“his father”

H1

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

וּבִשְׁתֵּ֧ים12 of 24

“and in the twelfth”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה13 of 24
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֗ה14 of 24

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הֵחֵל֙15 of 24

“he began”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

לְטַהֵ֔ר16 of 24

“to purge”

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

אֶת17 of 24
H853

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

יְהוּדָה֙18 of 24

“Judah”

H3063

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

וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם19 of 24

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

מִן20 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַבָּמוֹת֙21 of 24

“from the high places”

H1116

an elevation

וְהָ֣אֲשֵׁרִ֔ים22 of 24

“and the groves”

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

וְהַפְּסִלִ֖ים23 of 24

“and the carved images”

H6456

an idol

וְהַמַּסֵּכֽוֹת׃24 of 24

“and the molten images”

H4541

properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour

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 34:3 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 34:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 33:222 Chronicles 15:2Proverbs 8:172 Chronicles 33:17Matthew 6:33Psalms 119:9

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 34 →

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