2 kings 22:13 - “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.”

Generated Verse: 2 kings 22:13

What does "2 kings 22:13" mean?


This verse (2 Kings 22:13) captures a moment of intense fear and responsibility after the discovery of the "Book of the Law" (likely Deuteronomy) during King Josiah's reign in Judah. Let's break down its meaning:

"“Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah..." This is King Josiah speaking. He is commanding his officials to seek divine guidance (through a prophet or other means) on behalf of himself, the entire population, and the entire kingdom of Judah. This shows a recognition of the gravity of the situation and the need for God's intervention.

"...concerning the words of this book that is found..." The "book" discovered is causing this urgent response. It is being treated with utmost seriousness, indicating it is a significant religious text, likely containing laws and covenantal obligations they have been neglecting.

"...for great is Yahweh’s wrath that is kindled against us..." This is the core concern. Josiah believes that God's anger is burning fiercely because they have not been following the commands in this book. The phrase "kindled against us" implies that God's wrath is not just theoretical, but an active and potentially destructive force.

"...because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.”" Here, Josiah identifies the root cause of God's anger: the long-standing neglect and disobedience of their ancestors. They have failed to follow the laws and stipulations outlined in the book, thus violating their covenant with God. The phrase "all that which is written concerning us" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the covenant obligations - they have failed in numerous areas.

In Summary:

This verse reveals King Josiah's profound reaction to the rediscovery of the "Book of the Law." He is struck by a sense of impending doom, realizing that Judah's consistent disobedience to God's commands has provoked divine wrath. He takes immediate action, seeking divine guidance to understand the implications of the book and to find a way to avert the consequences of their past sins. This verse highlights the importance of obedience to God's laws and the potential consequences of neglecting them. It also demonstrates the potential for repentance and seeking God's mercy even after generations of wrongdoing.