2 chronicles 13:22 - The rest of the acts of Abijah, his ways, and his sayings are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 13:22

What does "2 chronicles 13:22" mean?


This verse from 2 Chronicles 13:22, "The rest of the acts of Abijah, his ways, and his sayings are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo," is essentially pointing to a now-lost historical source. Let's break down what it means:

"The rest of the acts of Abijah..." This indicates that the book of Chronicles is providing a summary of Abijah's reign, but not a comprehensive account. There was more information available about him.

"...his ways..." This refers to Abijah's behavior, his conduct, and how he ruled.

"...and his sayings..." This means that the historical record contained Abijah's speeches, proclamations, or other notable things he said.

"...are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo." This is the key part. It tells us that all these details (Abijah's acts, ways, and sayings) were documented in a work called "the commentary of the prophet Iddo."

"Commentary": Here the word can also mean a "history," "story," "writing," or "midrash." It wasn't necessarily a commentary in the modern sense, but rather a written account.
"Prophet Iddo": Iddo was a prophet who lived during the reigns of Solomon, Rehoboam, and Abijah. He is mentioned in other parts of the Bible (e.g., 2 Chronicles 9:29; 12:15). It's worth noting that prophets in ancient Israel often played roles as historians and record keepers.

Therefore, the verse essentially means that a more detailed record of King Abijah's reign and life existed in a historical document written by the prophet Iddo. This document is not currently part of the canonical Old Testament and is likely lost to us.

Implications:

Source Material: The verse highlights that the author of Chronicles used other sources (beyond what is now in the Bible) to compile their historical account. This is common in ancient historical writing.
Lost History: It reminds us that a great deal of ancient literature and historical records have been lost over time.
Limited Information: It acknowledges that the information about Abijah in the Bible is a selection from a larger body of knowledge.
Potential for Inaccuracy: While the Chronicler considered Iddo's writing a reliable source, there's still the possibility that Iddo's account could have had its own biases or limitations. All historical sources are written from a particular perspective.

In summary, the verse is a reference to a lost historical document that provided more details about King Abijah's life and reign. It offers insight into the process of biblical writing and the existence of additional historical records that have not survived to the present day.

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