And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

2 KINGS 15:31KJV
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2 Kings 15:31 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 15:31 mean?

2 Kings 15:31 says that the rest of the deeds and actions of King Pekah of Israel are recorded in another book called the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. This verse tells the reader that the biblical account does not include every detail about Pekah’s reign, but points to another historical record for more information.

This verse comes at the end of a short summary about King Pekah, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel. The writer is wrapping up Pekah’s story by noting that more about his reign can be found in a different, now-lost historical source. This was a common way for the biblical writers to signal that their account is selective and that fuller records existed at the time.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:31

  • "rest" (יֶתֶר, yether): This word means "what remains" or "the remainder." Here, it refers to the events of Pekah’s reign that are not detailed in the biblical text.
  • "acts" and "chronicles" (דָּבָר, davar): The same Hebrew word is used for both "acts" and "chronicles" in this verse. דָּבָר (davar) means "word," "matter," or "event." This shows that the "chronicles" are really a record of events or matters concerning the kings.
  • "written" (כָּתַב, kathav): This verb means "to write." The verse emphasizes that these records were actually written down, not just passed on orally.
  • "book" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word means "scroll" or "book." It refers to a physical document, showing that historical records were kept in written form in ancient Israel.

Why 2 Kings 15:31 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the biblical account is not a full biography of each king, but a selective summary, and that more detailed records once existed.
  • The mention of the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" connects this verse to a pattern throughout Kings, where the writer points to other sources, showing an awareness of historical documentation.
  • It helps the reader see that the biblical writers valued historical accuracy and transparency, acknowledging the limits of their own account and pointing to other sources for those interested in more detail.

Where else these words appear

“Pekah” Hebrew H6492 · used in 11 verses

  • 2 Kings 15:25 But Pekah the son of Remaliah, a captain of his, conspired against him, and smote him in Samaria, in the palace of the king's house, with Argob and Arieh, and with him fifty men of the Gileadites: and he killed him, and reigned in his room.
  • 2 Kings 15:30 And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
  • 2 Kings 16:1 In the seventeenth year of Pekah the son of Remaliah Ahaz the son of Jotham king of Judah began to reign.

“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.