King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:8 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:8 in the King James Version says “Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah,...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.”

2 Chronicles 34:8 · KJV

Context

6

And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. mattocks: or, mauls

7

And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. into: Heb. to make powder

8

Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.

9

And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.

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:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.

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 · 26 words
וּבִשְׁנַ֨ת1 of 26

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שְׁמוֹנֶ֤ה2 of 26

“Now in the eighteenth”

H8083

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

עֶשְׂרֵה֙3 of 26
H6240

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

לְמָלְכ֔וֹ4 of 26

“of his reign”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

לְטַהֵ֥ר5 of 26

“when he had purged”

H2891

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

הָאָ֖רֶץ6 of 26

“the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בֵּ֖ית7 of 26

“and the house”

H1004

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

שָׁ֠לַח8 of 26

“he sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶת9 of 26
H853

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

שָׁפָ֨ן10 of 26

“Shaphan”

H8227

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

בֶּן11 of 26

“the son”

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

אֲצַלְיָ֜הוּ12 of 26

“of Azaliah”

H683

atsaljah, an israelite

וְאֶת13 of 26
H853

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

מַֽעֲשֵׂיָ֣הוּ14 of 26

“and Maaseiah”

H4641

maasejah, the name of sixteen israelites

שַׂר15 of 26

“the governor”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הָעִ֗יר16 of 26

“of the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְ֠אֵת17 of 26
H853

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

יוֹאָ֤ח18 of 26

“and Joah”

H3098

joach, the name of four israelites

בֶּן19 of 26

“the son”

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

יֽוֹאָחָז֙20 of 26

“of Joahaz”

H3099

joachaz, the name of two israelites

הַמַּזְכִּ֔יר21 of 26

“the recorder”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

לְחַזֵּ֕ק22 of 26

“to repair”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

אֶת23 of 26
H853

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

בֵּ֖ית24 of 26

“and the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָ֥ה25 of 26

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהָֽיו׃26 of 26

“his 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

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 34:8 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 34:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 8:16Ezekiel 8:112 Chronicles 18:25Jeremiah 21:1Jeremiah 26:24Jeremiah 29:21

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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