2 Chronicles 35:25 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 35:25 mean?

2 Chronicles 35:25 describes how the prophet Jeremiah and professional singers in Israel mourned King Josiah after his death, creating songs of lament that became a lasting tradition. The verse notes that these laments were so significant that they were written down and continued to be used in Israel for generations.

The verse is set after the death of King Josiah, a beloved ruler of Judah, who died in battle. Jeremiah, a well-known prophet, led the mourning, and both male and female singers (likely temple musicians) composed and performed laments for Josiah. These songs became an established part of Israel’s cultural memory, with their words preserved in written form, possibly in a collection of laments.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 35:25

• "lamented" (קָונֵן, qonen): This word means to mourn or compose a lament, often in a formal or poetic sense. Here, it shows that Jeremiah’s mourning was not just personal grief but a public act of creating a lamentation.
• "lamentations" (קִינָה, qinah): This word refers to a specific type of mourning song or poem. Its use here highlights that the songs for Josiah were formal compositions, not just spontaneous weeping.
• "ordinance" (חֹק, choq): This word means a statute or established custom. The verse says the laments became an "ordinance," showing that remembering Josiah in this way became a regular, almost official, practice in Israel.

Why 2 Chronicles 35:25 matters

• The verse clarifies that Josiah’s death had a deep and lasting impact on the people of Israel, inspiring not just immediate grief but a tradition of remembrance.
• By mentioning Jeremiah and the professional singers, the verse connects Josiah’s legacy to both prophetic leadership and the worship life of Israel.
• The reference to the laments being "written" suggests that Israel valued preserving its history and emotions in written form, giving later generations a way to participate in national memory.