And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 KINGS 12:19KJV
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2 Kings 12:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 12:19 mean?

2 Kings 12:19 states that the rest of the deeds and actions of King Joash of Judah are recorded in another source called the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. The verse signals that the account here is not exhaustive and points readers to another record for more details about Joash’s reign.

This verse is part of a historical summary, likely written by a later editor, letting readers know that there is more information about Joash than what is included in this section. The “book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” refers to a separate historical record that is now lost, but was known to the original audience. This was a common way for biblical writers to acknowledge their sources and to show that their account is part of a larger history.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 12:19

  • “rest” (יֶתֶר, yether): This word means “what remains” or “the remainder,” highlighting that the story told here is only a part of Joash’s full history.
  • “acts” (דָּבָר, davar): Often translated as “words” or “matters,” here it refers to the events or deeds of Joash, not just spoken words.
  • “written” (כָּתַב, kathav): This verb means “to write,” emphasizing that these records were formally documented, not just passed down orally.
  • “book” (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word means “scroll” or “book,” indicating an official written record, not just a casual note or memory.

Why 2 Kings 12:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the biblical account is selective and not meant to be a full biography of Joash, which helps readers understand the purpose and limits of the narrative.
  • By referencing another written source, the verse shows that the history of Israel and Judah was carefully recorded and preserved, even if not all those records survive today.
  • The mention of “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah” connects this verse to a recurring pattern in Kings, where the writer points readers to other sources for further details, emphasizing the reliability and seriousness of the historical record.