King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 35:20 Mean?

2 Chronicles 35:20 in the King James Version says “After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrate... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. temple: Heb. house

2 Chronicles 35:20 · KJV


Context

18

And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. present: Heb. found

19

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

20

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. temple: Heb. house

21

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. the house: Heb. the house of my war

22

Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Greatest worship celebration since Samuel's time. 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 · 19 words
אַֽחֲרֵ֣י1 of 19

After

H310

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

כָל2 of 19
H3605

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

זֹ֗את3 of 19
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 19
H834

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

הֵכִ֤ין5 of 19

had prepared

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

יֹֽאשִׁיָּֽהוּ׃6 of 19

all this when Josiah

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

אֶת7 of 19
H853

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

הַבַּ֔יִת8 of 19

the temple

H1004

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

עָלָ֞ה9 of 19

came up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

נְכ֧וֹ10 of 19

Necho

H5224

neko, an egyptian king

מֶֽלֶךְ11 of 19

king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֛יִם12 of 19

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לְהִלָּחֵ֥ם13 of 19

to fight

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

בְּכַרְכְּמִ֖ישׁ14 of 19

against Carchemish

H3751

karkemish, a place in syria

עַל15 of 19
H5921

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

פְּרָ֑ת16 of 19

by Euphrates

H6578

perath (i.e., euphrates), a river of the east

וַיֵּצֵ֥א17 of 19

went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לִקְרָאת֖וֹ18 of 19

against

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

יֹֽאשִׁיָּֽהוּ׃19 of 19

all this when Josiah

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites


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 35:20 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 35:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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