King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 35:25 Mean?

2 Chronicles 35:25 in the King James Version says “And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.”

2 Chronicles 35:25 · KJV

Context

23

And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. wounded: Heb. made sick

24

His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. in one: or, among the sepulchres

25

And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.

26

Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the LORD, goodness: Heb. kindnesses

27

And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

Read 2 Chronicles 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.

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 · 21 words
וַיְקוֹנֵ֣ן1 of 21

“lamented”

H6969

to strike a musical note, i.e., chant or wail (at a funeral)

יִרְמְיָהוּ֮2 of 21

“And Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

עַל3 of 21
H5921

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

יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֙הוּ֙4 of 21

“for Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

וַיֹּֽאמְר֣וּ5 of 21

“spake”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָֽל6 of 21
H3605

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

וְ֠הַשָּׁרוֹת7 of 21

“and all the singing men”

H7891

to sing

וְ֠הַשָּׁרוֹת8 of 21

“and all the singing men”

H7891

to sing

הַקִּינֽוֹת׃9 of 21

“in the lamentations”

H7015

a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)

עַל10 of 21
H5921

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

יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֙הוּ֙11 of 21

“for Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

עַד12 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֔וֹם13 of 21

“to this day”

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

וַיִּתְּנ֥וּם14 of 21

“and made”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְחֹ֖ק15 of 21

“them an ordinance”

H2706

an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)

עַל16 of 21
H5921

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל17 of 21

“in Israel”

H3478

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

וְהִנָּ֥ם18 of 21
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

כְּתוּבִ֖ים19 of 21

“and behold they are written”

H3789

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

עַל20 of 21
H5921

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

הַקִּינֽוֹת׃21 of 21

“in the lamentations”

H7015

a dirge (as accompanied by beating the breasts or on instruments)

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 35:25 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 35:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 22:10Lamentations 4:20Matthew 9:23Job 3:8Jeremiah 9:17-21Jeremiah 22:20

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