And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 KINGS 14:18KJV
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2 Kings 14:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 14:18 mean?

2 Kings 14:18 says that the rest of King Amaziah’s actions are recorded in another historical source called the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. This verse tells the reader that more details about Amaziah’s reign can be found elsewhere, beyond what is summarized here.

The writer of 2 Kings is wrapping up the account of Amaziah, king of Judah, by pointing readers to another record for further information. This was a common way for biblical writers to signal that their account was selective and that official records existed with more details about a king’s reign.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 14:18

  • "rest" (יֶתֶר, yether): This word means "what remains" or "the remainder." Here, it refers to all the other deeds of Amaziah not included in this summary.
  • "acts" (דָּבָר, davar): While often translated as "acts" or "deeds," this word can also mean "words" or "matters." It emphasizes that both actions and possibly decisions or events are included in the record.
  • "written" (כָּתַב, kathav): This word means "to write." It highlights that the information about Amaziah was officially recorded, not just passed down orally.
  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word means "scroll" or "book." It refers to an actual written document, not just a figurative record.
  • "chronicles" (דָּבָר, davar; יָמִים, yamim): Here, "chronicles" combines "davar" (matters) and "yamim" (days), meaning "the matters of the days"—a phrase used for annals or official records.

Why 2 Kings 14:18 matters

  • This verse shows that the biblical account is selective and that the writer expects readers to know there are more detailed records elsewhere.
  • It helps clarify that the Bible sometimes summarizes events and points to other sources for a fuller historical picture.
  • By mentioning the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah," the verse connects the story of Amaziah to the broader history of Judah’s kings, helping readers see each king as part of a larger narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Amaziah” Hebrew H558 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Kings 12:21 For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 15:3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done;
  • 2 Chronicles 25:17 Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

“rest” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 28:26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.