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2 Kings 22:8-13

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it. Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hands of the workmen who have the oversight of Yahweh’s house.” Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Then Shaphan read it before the king.

When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, “Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is Yahweh’s wrath that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.”

World English Bible · Public Domain

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

    Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hands of the workmen who have the oversight of Yahweh’s house.”

    Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Then Shaphan read it before the king.

    When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

    The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,

    “Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is Yahweh’s wrath that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.”

  • KJV King James Version

    And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

    And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.

    And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

    And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

    And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,

    Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

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  • JPS JPS Tanakh (1917)

    And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe: 'I have found the book of the Law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

    And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought back word unto the king, and said: 'Thy servants have poured out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.'

    And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying: 'Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book.' And Shaphan read it before the king.

    And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the Law, that he rent his clothes.

    And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying:

    'Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.'

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Cross-references (69)

  • Deuteronomy 31:24-26 (v8) When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of…
  • Jeremiah 26:24 (vv9, 12) But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they didn’t give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:14-28 (v8) When they brought out the money that was brought into Yahweh’s house, Hilkiah the priest found the book of Yahweh’s law given by Moses.…
  • 2 Chronicles 34:19 (v11) When the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.
  • Joel 2:13 (v11) Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in…
Show all 67 cross-references
  • Jonah 3:6-7 (v11) The news reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in…
  • 2 Kings 25:22 (vv9, 12) As for the people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son…
  • Exodus 20:5 (v13) you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on…
  • Deuteronomy 4:23-27 (v13) Be careful, lest you forget the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he made with you, and make yourselves a carved image in the form of…
  • Deuteronomy 29:23-28 (v13) that all of its land is sulfur, salt, and burning, that it is not sown, doesn’t produce, nor does any grass grow in it, like the overthrow…
  • Deuteronomy 31:17-18 (v13) Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be…
  • Joshua 7:6 (v11) Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before Yahweh’s ark until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put…
  • 2 Kings 22:19 (v11) because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its…
  • Nehemiah 9:3 (v13) They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a fourth part of the day; and a fourth part they…
  • Jeremiah 36:21 (v10) So the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll; and he took it out of the room of Elishama the scribe. Jehudi read it in the hearing of the…
  • Jeremiah 36:24 (v11) The king and his servants who heard all these words were not afraid, and didn’t tear their garments.
  • Jeremiah 37:17 (v13) then Zedekiah the king sent, and had him brought out. The king asked him secretly in his house, “Is there any word from Yahweh?” Jeremiah…
  • James 1:22-25 (v13) But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like…
  • Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (v10) It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is…
  • Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (v10) Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and to all the elders of…
  • 1 Kings 22:7-8 (v13) But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there here a prophet of Yahweh, that we may inquire of him?” The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is…
  • 2 Kings 3:11 (v13) But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there a prophet of Yahweh here, that we may inquire of Yahweh by him?” One of the king of Israel’s servants…
  • 2 Kings 18:18 (v9) When they had called to the king, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph…
  • 2 Kings 19:2-3 (v12) He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the…
  • 2 Kings 22:3 (v9) In the eighteenth year of king Josiah, the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to Yahweh’s house,…
  • 2 Kings 22:9 (v12) Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in…
  • 2 Kings 22:12 (v9) The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s…
  • 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (v13) So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Yahweh, because of Yahweh’s word, which he didn’t keep; and also because he asked…
  • 2 Chronicles 29:6 (v13) For our fathers were unfaithful, and have done that which was evil in Yahweh our God’s sight, and have forsaken him, and have turned away…
  • 2 Chronicles 34:18 (v10) Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book.” Shaphan read from it to the king.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:19-21 (v12) When the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes. The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of…
  • 2 Chronicles 34:21 (v13) “Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great…
  • Nehemiah 8:1-7 (v10) All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the…
  • Nehemiah 8:8-9 (v13) They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading. Nehemiah, who was the…
  • Nehemiah 8:14-15 (v10) They found written in the law how Yahweh had commanded by Moses that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the…
  • Nehemiah 8:18 (v10) Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. They kept the feast seven days; and on the…
  • Nehemiah 13:1 (v10) On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and it was found written in it that an Ammonite and a Moabite…
  • Psalms 25:14 (v13) The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.
  • Psalms 76:7 (v13) You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry?
  • Psalms 106:6 (v13) We have sinned with our fathers. We have committed iniquity. We have done wickedly.
  • Proverbs 3:6 (v13) In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
  • Isaiah 37:1-4 (v12) When king Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into Yahweh’s house. He sent Eliakim, who was…
  • Jeremiah 13:18 (v10) Say to the king and to the queen mother, “Humble yourselves. Sit down, for your crowns have come down, even the crown of your glory.
  • Jeremiah 16:12 (v13) You have done evil more than your fathers, for behold, you each walk after the stubbornness of his evil heart, so that you don’t listen to…
  • Jeremiah 21:1-2 (v13) The word which came to Jeremiah from Yahweh, when king Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur the son of Malchijah, and Zephaniah the son of…
  • Jeremiah 22:1-2 (v10) Yahweh said, “Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak this word, there: ‘Hear Yahweh’s word, king of Judah, who sits on…
  • Jeremiah 26:22 (v12) Then Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achbor, and certain men with him, into Egypt;
  • Jeremiah 29:3 (v9) by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar…
  • Jeremiah 36:6 (v10) Therefore you go, and read from the scroll which you have written from my mouth, Yahweh’s words, in the ears of the people in Yahweh’s…
  • Jeremiah 36:10-12 (v9) Then Baruch read the words of Jeremiah from the book in Yahweh’s house, in the room of Gemariah the son of Shaphan, the scribe, in the…
  • Jeremiah 36:15 (v10) They said to him, “Sit down now, and read it in our hearing.” So Baruch read it in their hearing.
  • Jeremiah 39:14 (v9) they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he…
  • Jeremiah 40:11 (v9) Likewise when all the Jews who were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and who were in all the countries, heard that…
  • Jeremiah 41:2 (v9) Then Ishmael the son of Nethaniah arose, and the ten men who were with him, and struck Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with…
  • Jeremiah 44:17 (v13) But we will certainly perform every word that has gone out of our mouth, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink…
  • Lamentations 5:7 (v13) Our fathers sinned, and are no more. We have borne their iniquities.
  • Ezekiel 8:11 (v9) Seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel stood before them. In the middle of them Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan stood, every man…
  • Ezekiel 14:3-4 (v13) “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face. Should I…
  • Ezekiel 20:1-3 (v13) In the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, some of the elders of Israel came to inquire of Yahweh, and sat before…
  • Daniel 9:5-8 (v13) we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your…
  • Daniel 9:10 (v13) We haven’t obeyed Yahweh our God’s voice, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.
  • Amos 3:7 (v13) Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.
  • Nahum 1:6 (v13) Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are…
  • Romans 3:20 (v13) Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
  • Romans 4:15 (v13) For the law produces wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.
  • Romans 7:9 (v13) I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
  • Revelation 6:17 (v13) for the great day of his wrath has come; and who is able to stand?”

67 distinct cross-references across this passage (69 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (21 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 13 This was the copy that Moses left them, as…

This was the copy that Moses left them, as appeareth, 2 Chron. 34:14, which either by the negligence of the Priests had been lost, or else by the wickedness of idolatrous kings had been abolished.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv8–13 2Ki 22:8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv8, 11, 12, 13 The book of the law; that original
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v11 We hear no more of the repairing of the…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv8–13 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv8, 11, 13 The book - That original book of the law…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v8 Verse 8. I have found the book of the…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv8, 10, 12 2Ki 22:8. I have found the book of the…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 11, 13 Some have concluded from this discovery, either that no…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv8, 11 The book of the law, (that is, Deuteronomy.; Challoner.;…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv8, 12 HILKIAH FINDS THE BOOK OF THE LAW. (Kg2 22:8-15)
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv8, 10, 11, 12, 13 DISCOVERY OF THE BOOK OF THE LAW, 2Ki_22:8-11.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv8–13 8–20. Hilkiah the high priest finds the book of…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 12, 13 (8) I have found.—Literally, the book of the Torah…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv8–13 Vers. 8-14. Discovery of the book of the Law.…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v8 I have found the book of the law in…
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v8 2Ki_22:8-20; 2Ki_23:1-25
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v8 2 Kings
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v10 The Book of the Law Read before the King,…
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv8, 11 This is the name of a man. See how…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv8, 11 22:8-10 The scroll known as the Book of the…
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