New International Version He went up to the temple of the LORD with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the LORD. New Living Translation And the king went up to the Temple of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, along with the priests and the Levites—all the people from the greatest to the least. There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the LORD’s Temple. English Standard Version And the king went up to the house of the LORD, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the Levites, all the people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. Berean Standard Bible 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 great and small—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. Berean Literal Bible And the king went up to the house of YHWH, and every man of Judah, and those dwelling in Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people great and small. And he read in their ears all the words of the Book of the Covenant found in the house of YHWH. King James Bible And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. New King James Version The king went up to the house of the LORD, with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—the priests and the Levites, and all the people, great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD. New American Standard Bible The king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people, from the greatest to the least; and he read in their presence all the words of the Book of the Covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. NASB 1995 The king went up to the house of the LORD and all the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites and all the people, from the greatest to the least; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. NASB 1977 And the king went up to the house of the LORD and all the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people, from the greatest to the least; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. Legacy Standard Bible And the king went up to the house of Yahweh and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests and the Levites and all the people, from the greatest to the least; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of Yahweh. Amplified Bible And the king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people, from the greatest to the least; and he read aloud so they could hear all the words of the Book of the Covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. Berean Annotated Bible And he went up to the house of the LORD {YHWH} with all the people of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace), as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people great and small—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. Christian Standard Bible The king went up to the LORD’s temple with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people from the oldest to the youngest. He read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the LORD’s temple. Holman Christian Standard Bible The king went up to the LORD’s temple with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people from great to small. He read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the LORD’s temple. American Standard Version And the king went up to the house of Jehovah, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of Jehovah. Contemporary English Version Then he went to the LORD's temple, together with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, the priests, and the Levites. Finally, when everybody was there, he read aloud The Book of God's Law that had been found in the temple. English Revised Version And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation The king, everyone in Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, the priests, the Levites, and all the people (young and old) went up to the LORD's temple. He read everything written in the Book of the Promise found in the LORD's temple so that they could hear it. Good News Translation and together they went to the Temple, accompanied by the priests and the Levites and all the rest of the people, rich and poor alike. Before them all the king read aloud the whole book of the covenant, which had been found in the Temple. International Standard Version Then the king went up to the LORD's Temple, accompanied by the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and descendants of Levi, and everyone else from the most important to the least important, and he read out loud all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the LORD's Temple. NET Bible The king went up to the LORD's temple, accompanied by all the people of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, the priests, and the Levites. All the people were there, from the oldest to the youngest. He read aloud all the words of the scroll of the covenant that had been discovered in the LORD's temple. New Heart English Bible The king went up to the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the scroll of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. Webster's Bible Translation And the king went into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd 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 great and small—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. World English Bible The king went up to Yahweh’s house with all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem—the priests, the Levites, and all the people, both great and small—and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in Yahweh’s house. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand the king goes up to the house of YHWH, and [to] every man of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, even all the people, from great even to small, and he reads in their ears all the words of the scroll of the covenant that is found in the house of YHWH. Berean Literal Bible And the king went up to the house of YHWH, and every man of Judah, and those dwelling in Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people great and small. And he read in their ears all the words of the Book of the Covenant found in the house of YHWH. Young's Literal Translation and the king goeth up to the house of Jehovah, and every man of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, even all the people, from great even unto small, and he readeth in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that is found in the house of Jehovah. Smith's Literal Translation And the king will go up to the house of Jehovah, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests and the Levites, and all the people, from great and even to small: and he will read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant being found in the house of Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd went up to the house of the Lord, and all the men of Juda, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites, and all the people from the least to the greatest. And the king read in their hearing, in the house of the Lord, all the words of the book. Catholic Public Domain Version ascended to the house of the Lord, united with all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites, and all the people, from the least even to the greatest. And in their hearing, in the house of the Lord, the king read all the words of the volume. New American Bible The king went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: priests, Levites, and all the people, great and small. He read aloud to them all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. New Revised Standard Version The king went up to the house of the LORD, with all the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites, all the people both great and small; he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the Levites and all the people, great and small; and he read before them all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the King came up to the house of LORD JEHOVAH, and all of the house of Yehuda and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the Priests and the Levites, and all the people, from the little one and unto the great one, and he read before them all of the words of the scroll of this covenant that was found in the house of LORD JEHOVAH. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, both great and small; and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the king went up to the house of the Lord, he and all Juda, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that were found in the house of the Lord. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Josiah Renews the Covenant29Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. 30And 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. 31So 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.… Cross References And he went up to the house of the LORD 1 Samuel 1:7 And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat. Psalm 122:1 A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 Kings 23:1 Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. Jeremiah 11:2 “Listen to the words of this covenant and tell them to the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 8:1 At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. as well as the priests and the Levites— 2 Chronicles 29:4 Then he brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the square on the east side. Deuteronomy 31:9 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. all the people great and small— 2 Chronicles 15:13 And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, would be put to death, whether young or old, man or woman. Joshua 8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them. Deuteronomy 31:12 Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law. and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant 2 Kings 23:2 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 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. Deuteronomy 31:11 when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. Exodus 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people, who replied, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” that had been found in the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 22:8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it. 2 Kings 22:10 Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. Joshua 8:34-35 Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. / There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them. Treasury of Scripture And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 15:12,13 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; … 2 Chronicles 18:30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel. Deuteronomy 1:17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. he read 2 Chronicles 6:1 Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah… Deuteronomy 17:18-20 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: … the book 2 Chronicles 34:15,18,19,24 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan… Exodus 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 2 Kings 23:2,21 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD… Jump to Previous Book Covenant Ears Found Great House Inhabitants Jerusalem Judah Levites Priests Read Small WordsJump to Next Book Covenant Ears Found Great House Inhabitants Jerusalem Judah Levites Priests Read Small Words2 Chronicles 34 1. Josiah's good reign3. He destroys idolatry 8. He takes order for the repair of the temple 14. Hilkiah, having found a book of the law, 21. Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord 23. Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's time 29. Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, renews the covenant with God And he went up to the house of the LORD Josiah led the nation to the temple in Jerusalem after the Book of the Law was discovered during its repair. The temple was the appointed center of Israel’s worship, and his presence there marked the public beginning of covenant renewal. 1Sa 1:7 And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up… with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, The gathering included the kingdom of Judah and the inhabitants of its capital. Josiah did not treat the Law as a private matter for the court but called the nation to hear it together. 2Ki 23:1 Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah… as well as the priests and the Levites— The priests and Levites, responsible for sacrifices, temple service, and instruction, stood with the people. Their participation restored the proper order of worship that had been neglected under earlier kings. 2Ch 29:4 Then he brought in the priests and Levites… all the people great and small— Every class and age group was included. The covenant obligations applied to the whole nation, not merely its rulers or religious leaders. 2Ch 15:13 And whoever would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel… and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant Josiah personally ensured that the people heard God’s commands, warnings, and promises. The reading confronted Judah with its departure from the covenant and prepared the way for national reform. 2Ki 23:2 And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people… that had been found in the house of the LORD. The book had been discovered by Hilkiah during the temple repairs, showing how far the nation had drifted from the Law. Its recovery became the basis for Josiah’s reforms and renewed commitment to obey the LORD. 2Ki 22:8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe,… Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe King of Judah who initiated religious reforms and sought to restore the worship of Yahweh. His leadership was pivotal in the rediscovery of the Book of the Covenant. 2. House of the LORD Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites, where the Book of the Covenant was found. 3. Priests and Levites Religious leaders responsible for temple duties and teaching the Law to the people. They played a crucial role in the spiritual life of Judah. 4. People of Judah and Jerusalem The inhabitants of the southern kingdom of Judah, including the capital city, who were called together to hear the reading of the Law. 5. Book of the Covenant Likely a reference to a portion of the Torah, possibly Deuteronomy, which was rediscovered during temple renovations and became the basis for Josiah's reforms. Teaching Points The Importance of ScriptureJosiah's actions underscore the necessity of returning to God's Word as the foundation for personal and communal life. Regular engagement with Scripture is vital for spiritual renewal. Leadership in Spiritual Renewal Josiah's leadership demonstrates the impact a godly leader can have on a nation. Leaders today are called to guide others towards faithfulness to God's Word. Community and Worship The gathering of all people, from the greatest to the least, emphasizes the communal aspect of worship and the inclusivity of God's message. Worship should unite believers in shared faith and purpose. Rediscovery and Reformation The rediscovery of the Book of the Covenant led to significant reforms. This teaches us the value of returning to foundational truths and allowing them to transform our lives and communities. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 34:30?2. How does 2 Chronicles 34:30 emphasize the importance of hearing God's Word collectively? 3. What role does leadership play in spiritual revival according to 2 Chronicles 34:30? 4. How can we ensure our community values "all the words of the Book"? 5. What scriptural connections exist between 2 Chronicles 34:30 and Deuteronomy 31:11-13? 6. How can we apply the public reading of Scripture in our church today? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Chronicles 34:30? 8. How does 2 Chronicles 34:30 reflect the importance of communal worship in ancient Israel? 9. What theological significance does the public reading of the Law hold in 2 Chronicles 34:30? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 34? (30) The Levites.--The chronicler substituted this for "the prophets" (Kings). It was a natural change to make, seeing that the prophetic order had long been extinct in his day. It may even be the result of an unconscious error, as the phrase "priests and Levites" is so frequent in his pages.Verse 30. - The Levites. The parallel mentions "prophets" and omits "Levites," which latter our compiler is safe not to forget. When it is said in this verse, he read, the meaning, of course, is "the priests" read (Deuteronomy 31:9). 2 Chronicles 34:30 portrays King Josiah leading a nation back to God by bringing everyone—from ruler to child—into God’s house to hear the full, unfiltered Word. Worship, unity, inclusiveness, and the public reading of Scripture combine to ignite covenant renewal. The verse teaches that genuine revival begins when leaders and people alike submit together to the whole counsel of God. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And [he]הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king went up וַיַּ֣עַל (way·ya·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively to the house בֵּית־ (bêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of the LORD יְ֠הוָה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel with all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every and the people וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י (wə·yō·šə·ḇê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry of Judah יְהוּדָ֜ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites and Jerusalem, יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel as well as the priests וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest and the Levites— וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם (wə·hal·wî·yim) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the people הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock small קָטָ֑ן (qā·ṭān) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant and וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while great— מִגָּד֣וֹל (mig·gā·ḏō·wl) Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent and in their hearing בְאָזְנֵיהֶ֗ם (ḇə·’ā·zə·nê·hem) Preposition-b | Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear he read וַיִּקְרָ֣א (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the words דִּבְרֵי֙ (diḇ·rê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause of the Book סֵ֣פֶר (sê·p̄er) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book of the Covenant הַבְּרִ֔ית (hab·bə·rîṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1285: A covenant that had been found הַנִּמְצָ֖א (han·nim·ṣā) Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present in the house בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of the LORD. יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Additonal Resources 2 Chronicles 34:30 Blue Letter Bible2 Chronicles 34:30 Bible Gateway 2 Chronicles 34:30 Bible.com 2 Chronicles 34:30 NIV |
    |