2 Kings 23:28 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 23:28 mean?

2 Kings 23:28 says that the rest of King Josiah’s actions and accomplishments are recorded elsewhere, specifically in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. This verse signals to the reader that the biblical account is not exhaustive and points to another historical record for more details about Josiah’s reign.

The verse is part of a summary statement often found at the end of a king’s story in the books of Kings. The writer is addressing the reader, letting them know that if they want to learn more about Josiah, they should look in another official record. This helps set up the transition to the next king and shows that the biblical narrative is selective in what it includes.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 23:28

• The word for "rest" is יֶתֶר (yeter), which means "what remains" or "the remainder." This signals that what follows is a summary, and there are more details not included here.
• "Acts" is דָּבָר (davar), a word that can mean "words," "matters," or "deeds." Here, it refers to Josiah’s actions or accomplishments as king.
• "Written" is כָּתַב (katav), meaning "to write." The verse emphasizes that these records were formally documented, not just passed down orally.
• "Book" is סֵפֶר (sefer), which refers to a scroll or written document. This points to an actual historical record, not just a general tradition.

Why 2 Kings 23:28 matters

• The verse clarifies that the biblical account is not the only source of information about Josiah, suggesting that other records existed and were valued as historical sources.
• By mentioning the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah," the verse connects Josiah’s story to the broader history of Judah’s monarchy and shows a pattern used for many kings in the biblical narrative.
• This summary helps the reader understand that the focus of the biblical text is selective, highlighting certain events for theological or narrative reasons rather than providing a full biography.