King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 23:17 Mean?

2 Kings 23:17 in the King James Version says “Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, wh...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.”

2 Kings 23:17 · KJV

Context

15

Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove.

16

And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.

17

Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.

18

And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria. bones alone: Heb. bones to escape

19

And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.

Read 2 Kings 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Beth-el.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 23: Comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. In Judah's later history, we see both genuine reforms and deep-rooted corruption, revealing that external religious activity cannot substitute for heart transformation.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 23 takes place during the final century of Judah's existence, 7th century BCE, including Manasseh and Josiah's reigns. The chapter's theme (Josiah's Thorough Reforms) reflects the historical reality of the worst apostasy under Manasseh followed by the most thorough reforms under Josiah, demonstrating that external righteousness cannot reverse God's determined judgment. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 23 regarding comprehensive reformation cannot avert certain judgment?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ1 of 27

“Then he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מָ֚ה2 of 27
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הַצִּיּ֣וּן3 of 27

“What title”

H6725

a monumental or guiding pillar

הַלָּ֔ז4 of 27

“is that”

H1975

this or that

אֲשֶׁ֖ר5 of 27
H834

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

אֲנִ֣י6 of 27
H589

i

רֹאֶ֑ה7 of 27

“that I see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ8 of 27

“Then he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו9 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִישׁ10 of 27

“of the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָעִ֗יר11 of 27

“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)

הַקֶּ֤בֶר12 of 27

“him It is the sepulchre”

H6913

a sepulcher

אִישׁ13 of 27

“of the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙14 of 27

“of 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

אֲשֶׁר15 of 27
H834

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

בָּ֣א16 of 27

“which came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מִֽיהוּדָ֔ה17 of 27

“from Judah”

H3063

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

וַיִּקְרָ֗א18 of 27

“and proclaimed”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת19 of 27
H853

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

הַדְּבָרִ֤ים20 of 27

“these things”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙21 of 27
H428

these or those

אֲשֶׁ֣ר22 of 27
H834

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

עָשִׂ֔יתָ23 of 27

“that thou hast done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עַ֖ל24 of 27
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבַּ֥ח25 of 27

“against the altar”

H4196

an altar

בֵּֽית26 of 27
H0
אֵֽל׃27 of 27

“of Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 23:17 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 Kings 23:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 13:11 Kings 13:30-31

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
View all places in 2 Kings 23 →

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