King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:33 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:33 in the King James Version says “And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made al... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers. present: Heb. found from: Heb. from after

2 Chronicles 34:33 · KJV


Context

31

And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.

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. present: Heb. found

33

And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers. present: Heb. found from: Heb. from after


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

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 · 27 words
סָ֔רוּ1 of 27

they departed

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֜הוּ2 of 27

And Josiah

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

אֶת3 of 27
H853

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

כָּל4 of 27
H3605

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

הַתֹּעֵב֗וֹת5 of 27

all the abominations

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

מִֽכָּל6 of 27
H3605

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

הָאֲרָצוֹת֮7 of 27

out of all the countries

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 27
H834

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

לִבְנֵ֣י9 of 27

that pertained to the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל10 of 27

in Israel

H3478

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

לַֽעֲב֖וֹד11 of 27

even to serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֵ֤ת12 of 27
H853

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

כָּל13 of 27
H3605

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

הַנִּמְצָא֙14 of 27

and made all that were present

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

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל15 of 27

in Israel

H3478

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

לַֽעֲב֖וֹד16 of 27

even to serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת17 of 27
H853

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

יְהוָ֖ה18 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֥י19 of 27

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

כָּל20 of 27
H3605

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

יָמָ֕יו21 of 27

And all his days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לֹ֣א22 of 27
H3808

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

סָ֔רוּ23 of 27

they departed

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵֽאַחֲרֵ֕י24 of 27

not from following

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

יְהוָ֖ה25 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֥י26 of 27

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

אֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃27 of 27

of their fathers

H1

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


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 34:33 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 34:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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