And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2 KINGS 15:6KJVWhat does 2 Kings 15:6 mean?
2 Kings 15:6 says that the rest of King Azariah’s deeds and accomplishments are recorded in another historical source called “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah.” This verse tells the reader that the biblical account does not include everything Azariah did, but more details can be found elsewhere.
The verse is part of a summary statement often used in the books of Kings. The narrator is wrapping up the story of Azariah (also known as Uzziah), king of Judah, by pointing to an official record for more information. This was a common way to end a king’s story, showing that the Bible is giving a brief account and that fuller records existed at the time.
The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 15:6
- “rest” (יֶתֶר, yether): This word means “what remains” or “the remainder.” Here, it refers to all the other things Azariah did that are not included in the biblical summary.
- “acts” (דָּבָר, davar): While often meaning “word” or “thing,” in this context it refers to Azariah’s deeds or actions, emphasizing that the record includes more than just major events.
- “written” (כָּתַב, kathav): This word means “to write.” The verse uses it to point to an official, written record, not just oral tradition.
- “book” (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word means “scroll” or “book,” referring to a physical document where the history of the kings was kept.
Why 2 Kings 15:6 matters
- The verse clarifies that the biblical account is selective and not exhaustive, pointing readers to other historical records for a fuller story.
- It highlights the practice of keeping official annals or chronicles in ancient Judah, showing that the Bible interacts with other sources of history.
- By mentioning “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah,” the verse connects Azariah’s reign to the broader history of the kingdom and its rulers.