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.