And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

2 CHRONICLES 34:33KJV
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2 Chronicles 34:33 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 34:33 mean?

2 Chronicles 34:33 describes how King Josiah used his authority to direct the people of Israel away from objects of worship the narrator regarded as detestable and toward service of the LORD. The verse presents this as a lasting feature of Josiah’s lifetime.

The narrator moves from the people’s pledge in verse 32 to Josiah’s actions across the lands belonging to Israel. “Made all that were present” emphasizes the king’s role in requiring public service to the LORD. “All his days” sets the time span for the narrator’s account of the people’s conduct.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 34:33

  • “abominations” — תּוֹעֵבָה (toʿevah): This word refers to something considered detestable. Here it describes things associated with worship that Josiah removed from the land.
  • “serve” — עָבַד (ʿavad): This word can mean to work for or serve someone. In this setting, service to the LORD includes worship directed toward him.
  • “departed” — סוּר (sur): This word can mean to turn aside or move away. The verse uses it to picture the people staying on a path of following the LORD throughout Josiah’s life.

Why 2 Chronicles 34:33 matters

  • The verse places Josiah’s reform beyond Jerusalem alone. “All the countries that pertained to the children of Israel” gives the removal of the detestable things a wider reach.
  • The account connects outward changes with the people’s shared response. Josiah removed the “abominations,” while the people are described as serving “the LORD their God.”
  • The closing words point backward as well as to Josiah’s own time. “The God of their fathers” identifies the LORD as the God associated with earlier generations of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Josiah” Hebrew H2977 · used in 48 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:25 But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.
  • Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

“abominations” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 88:8 Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
  • Ezekiel 7:4 And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.