2 Kings 23:1
2 Kings 23:1 in Multiple Translations
Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
Then the king sent and got together all the responsible men of Judah and of Jerusalem.
Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
Then the King sent, and there gathered vnto him all the Elders of Iudah and of Ierusalem.
And the king sendeth, and they gather unto him all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem,
The king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
And the king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
And they brought the king word again what she had said. And he sent: and all the ancients of Juda and Jerusalem were assembled to him.
Then the king summoned all the elders of Jerusalem and of the other places in Judah.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 23:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 23:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֖ח
הַ/מֶּ֑לֶךְ
וַ/יַּאַסְפ֣וּ
אֵלָ֔י/ו
כָּל
זִקְנֵ֥י
יְהוּדָ֖ה
וִ/ירוּשָׁלִָֽם
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֖ח
shâlach
H7971
to send
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מֶּ֑לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
וַ/יַּאַסְפ֣וּ
ʼâçaph
H622
to gather
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֵלָ֔י/ו
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep | Suff
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
זִקְנֵ֥י
zâqên
H2205
old
Adj
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
וִ/ירוּשָׁלִָֽם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
Jerusalem
Conj | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 23:1
וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֖ח
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
הַ/מֶּ֑לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
וַ/יַּאַסְפ֣וּ
ʼâçaph
H622
"to gather"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
אֵלָ֔י/ו
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
זִקְנֵ֥י
zâqên
H2205
"old"
Adj
This Hebrew word means old or elderly, as in the case of the elderly men who appeared to Abraham in Genesis 18:11. It can also refer to those in positions of authority, like the elders who helped Moses in Exodus 24:1. The term is used to describe respect and leadership.
Definition: : old 1) old 1a) old (of humans) 1b) elder (of those having authority) Also means: za.qen (זָקֵן ": elder" H2205)
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: aged, ancient (man), elder(-est), old (man, men and...women), senator. See also: Genesis 18:11; 1 Samuel 28:14; Psalms 105:22.
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
וִ/ירוּשָׁלִָֽם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
"Jerusalem"
Conj | N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 23:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 23:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 23:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 23:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 23:1
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
- Sermons on 2 Kings 23:1
Context — Josiah Renews the Covenant
1Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
2And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. 3So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 34:29–33 | Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 30:2 | For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 31:28 | Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 29:20 | Early the next morning King Hezekiah gathered the city officials and went up to the house of the LORD. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 6:1 | David again assembled the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand in all. |
2 Kings 23:1 Summary
In 2 Kings 23:1, King Josiah gathers all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem to bring about spiritual change. This shows that leaders have a big role in helping people follow God, as seen in Romans 13:1-7. Just like King Josiah, we can take steps to learn about God and grow in our faith, and we can look to leaders and the Bible for guidance, as described in Psalm 119:105. By reading and following God's Word, like the people in Nehemiah 8:1-8, we can deepen our understanding of God's love and plans for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did King Josiah summon all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem?
King Josiah summoned the elders to gather the people and read the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the house of the Lord, as seen in 2 Kings 23:2, in order to bring about spiritual renewal and reformation, similar to what is described in Deuteronomy 31:10-13.
Who are the elders of Judah and Jerusalem?
The elders of Judah and Jerusalem were the spiritual and civil leaders of the land, similar to the leaders described in Exodus 18:13-27 and Deuteronomy 1:9-18, who were responsible for guiding the people and making important decisions.
What was the significance of the king summoning the elders?
The king summoning the elders signified the importance of the gathering and the need for unified leadership in the spiritual renewal of the nation, as seen in Nehemiah 8:1-8, where Ezra reads the Law to the assembled people.
How does this event relate to the overall story of 2 Kings?
This event is a pivotal moment in the story of 2 Kings, as it marks a turning point in the spiritual history of Judah, and is a culmination of the themes of covenant faithfulness and disobedience, as described in Deuteronomy 28-30.
Reflection Questions
- What role do spiritual leaders play in guiding God's people towards renewal and reformation?
- How can we, like King Josiah, take initiative to gather people and promote spiritual growth?
- What are some ways we can apply the principles of covenant faithfulness in our own lives, as described in Deuteronomy 6:4-9?
- How can we balance the need for leadership with the importance of personal responsibility in our spiritual journeys, as seen in Proverbs 11:14?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 23:1
And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. Josiah sent messengers throughout the land, and convened all the principal men in it at Jerusalem.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 23:1
And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. The king sent, and ... gathered ... all the elders.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
2 KINGS CHAPTER 23 Josiah causeth the law to be read in a solemn assembly; reneweth the covenant of the Lord; destroyeth idolatry, ; breaketh down the altar at Beth-el, and burneth thereon dead men’ s bones, ; keepeth the passover: other evidences of his piety, . God’ s final wrath against Judah. . Josiah, warring against Pharaoh-nechoh, is slain: Jehoahaz his son is king: he is imprisoned by Pharaoh-nechoh; who puts Jehoiakim, in his place; who reigneth ill, . The chief governors both of church and state.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
2 Kings 23:1 And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.Ver. 1. And the king sent.] This he did, that he might the better insure the promise made to himself; and avert, if possible, the judgments threatened against the people by Huldah the prophetess.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
XXIII. JOSIAH RENEWS THE , ROOTS OUT , AND HOLDS A SOLEMEN .HIS END.(1) They gathered.—The right reading is probably that of the Syriac and Vulg., there gathered. Chron., LXX., and Arabic have he gathered. All the elders.—The representatives of the nation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
CHAPTER XXIII Josiah reads in the temple to the elders of Judah, the priests, the prophets, and the people, the book of the covenant which had been found, 1, 2. He makes a covenant, and the people stand to it, 3. He destroys the vessels of Baal and Asherah, and puts down the idolatrous priests; breaks down the houses of the sodomites, and the high places; defiles Topheth; takes away the horses of the sun; destroys the altars of Ahaz; breaks in pieces the images; and breaks down and burns Jeroboam's altar at Beth-el, 4-15. Fulfils the word of the prophet, who cried against the altar at Beth-el, 16-18. Destroys the high places in Samaria, slays the idolatrous priests, and celebrates a great passover, 19-23; and puts away all the dealers with familiar spirits, c., 24. His eminent character he is mortally wounded at Megiddo, and buried at Jerusalem, 25-30. Jehoahaz reigns in his stead, and does evil in the sight of the Lord, 31, 32. Is dethroned by Pharaoh-nechoh; and Eliakim, his brother, called also Jehoiakim, made king in his stead; the land is laid under tribute by the king of Egypt, and Jehoiakim reigns wickedly, 33-37. NOTES ON CHAP. XXIII
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 23:1
Chap. 2 Kings 23:1-14. Josiah’s covenant to serve the Lord. Destruction of idolatry, and removal of idolatrous priests (2 Chronicles 34:3-7; 2 Chronicles 34:29-33) 1. And the king sent, and they gathered] The whole proceeding described in the first three verses of this chapter may be compared with the similar covenant-making in the reign of Joash (2 Kings 11:14-17). That was also followed by a destruction of the objects of idolatry.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
THE GREAT UNDER JOSIAH, 2 Kings 23:1-25. 1. The king sent — Instructed by the law and by the prophetess, the king does not rest in security, feeling that the evil will not come in his day, but takes
Sermons on 2 Kings 23:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Restoring True Worship by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman emphasizes the urgent need for restoring true worship in the church and nation, highlighting the importance of humility, repentance, and a return to God's Word. He dr |
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Bible Survey - Zephaniah by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Zephaniah, who delivered prophecies during the reign of King Josiah, calling for repentance and seeking righteousness and humility. Zephaniah' |
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The Role of Preaching in Revival by Brian H. Edwards | Brian H. Edwards emphasizes the power of preaching in revival times, highlighting that it may not always be graceful or eloquent, but it is always impactful and real, leading to li |
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God's Work to Be Done God's Way by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of David and the capture of the ark of God by the Philistines. The background of the story goes back to Eli, who was Orthodox but ha |
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Great Decisions of the Bible by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher highlights the tragedy of the church being preoccupied with trivial matters instead of focusing on the supernatural. He emphasizes the need for the chu |
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When Mercy Kills an Outstretched Hand by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the danger of hirelings in the pulpit who avoid addressing sin in the lives of their congregation. He emphasizes that when God is not present, |
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The Book of Ruth #1 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Ruth as a contrast to the dark and tragic conditions described in the book of Judges. The speaker emphasizes that even in the mids |