Log inSign up

2 Chronicles 34 · a question people ask

Which book did Hilkiah find?

In the text

The chapter calls it "the book of the LORD’s law given by Moses" (34:14), "the book of the law" (34:15), "a book" (34:18) and "the book of the covenant" (34:30), and the king says of it, "our fathers have not kept the LORD’s word, to do according to all that is written in this book" (34:21). The LORD's word through Huldah speaks of "all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah" (34:24). Beyond these words, the chapter doesn't say what the book held, how much of it there was, or how it came to be in the house. 2 Chronicles 17 asks the same of "the book of the LORD’s law" (17:9), and 2 Kings 22 asks it of the same find (2 Kings 22:8); both go no further than the text, and neither do these notes.

The verses

“When they brought out the money that was brought into the LORD’s house, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the LORD’s law given by Moses. Hilkiah answered Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” So Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.”
2 Chronicles 34:14-15 · World English Bible
“Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book.” Shaphan read from it to the king.”
2 Chronicles 34:18 · World English Bible
““Go inquire of the LORD for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the LORD’s wrath that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the LORD’s word, to do according to all that is written in this book.””
2 Chronicles 34:21 · World English Bible
““The LORD says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah.”
2 Chronicles 34:24 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Chronicles 34

2 Chronicles 34: While he was yet young

In 2 Chronicles, Josiah began to seek God "while he was yet young" (34:3), in the eighth year of his reign, and to purge the land in the twelfth, before the book was found in the eighteenth (34:8, 34:14). When he heard it, the LORD's word was, "your heart was tender" (34:27), "I also have heard you" (34:27).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week2 Chronicles 34 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 2 Chronicles 34

All questions about 2 Chronicles →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions