2 Chronicles 34:18
New International Version
Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

New Living Translation
Shaphan also told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” So Shaphan read it to the king.

English Standard Version
Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it before the king.

Berean Standard Bible
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

King James Bible
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

New King James Version
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.

New American Standard Bible
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe informed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

NASB 1995
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

NASB 1977
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

Amplified Bible
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the court secretary Shaphan told the king, “The priest Hilkiah gave me a book,” and Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Shaphan the court secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a book,” and Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

American Standard Version
And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read therein before the king.

Contemporary English Version
But there's something else, Your Majesty. The priest Hilkiah gave me this book." Then Shaphan read it aloud.

English Revised Version
And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read therein before the king.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the scribe Shaphan told the king, "The priest Hilkiah has given me a book." And Shaphan read it to the king.

Good News Translation
Then he added, "I have here a book that Hilkiah gave me." And he read it aloud to the king.

International Standard Version
Shaphan the scribe also informed the king, "Hilkiah the priest gave me a book." Shaphan read from its contents to the king.

Majority Standard Bible
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

NET Bible
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll." Shaphan read it out loud before the king.

New Heart English Bible
Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll." Shaphan read it before the king.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

World English Bible
Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book.” Shaphan read from it to the king.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Shaphan the scribe declares [it] to the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given a scroll to me”; and Shaphan reads in it before the king.

Young's Literal Translation
And Shaphan the scribe declareth to the king, saying, 'A book hath Hilkiah the priest given to me;' and Shaphan readeth in it before the king.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Shaphan the scribe will announce to the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest gave a book to me. And Shaphan will read in it before the king.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Moreover Helcias the priest gave me this book. And he read it before the king.

Catholic Public Domain Version
After this, Hilkiah the priest gave to me this book.” And when he had read it in the presence of the king,

New American Bible
Then Shaphan the scribe also informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book,” and then Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

New Revised Standard Version
The secretary Shaphan informed the king, “The priest Hilkiah has given me a book.” Shaphan then read it aloud to the king.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaphan the Scribe told the King, and said to him: “Khelqia the Priest has given me a scroll”, and Shaphan read in it before the King.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying: 'Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book.' And Shaphan read therein before the king.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saphan the scribe brought word to the king, saying, Chelcias the priest has given me a book. And Saphan read it before the king.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law
17They have paid out the money that was found in the house of the LORD and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.” 18Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. 19When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes…

Cross References
2 Kings 22:10
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

2 Kings 22:8-9
Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it. / And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hands of the workers and supervisors of the house of the LORD.”

2 Kings 22:11
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes

2 Kings 22:13
“Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words in this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us.”

2 Kings 23:2
And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.

Nehemiah 8:1-3
At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. / On the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could listen and understand. / So Ezra read it aloud from daybreak until noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Nehemiah 8:8
So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.

Jeremiah 36:6
so you are to go to the house of the LORD on a day of fasting, and in the hearing of the people you are to read the words of the LORD from the scroll you have written at my dictation. Read them in the hearing of all the people of Judah who are coming from their cities.

Jeremiah 36:21-23
Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king and all the officials who were standing beside him. / Since it was the ninth month, the king was sitting in his winter quarters with a fire burning before him. / And as soon as Jehudi had read three or four columns, Jehoiakim would cut them off with a scribe’s knife and throw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll had been consumed by the fire.

Jeremiah 36:29
You are to proclaim concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah that this is what the LORD says: You have burned the scroll and said, ‘Why have you written on it that the king of Babylon would surely come and destroy this land and deprive it of man and beast?’

Deuteronomy 31:24-26
When Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, / he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD: / “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you.

Deuteronomy 17:18-19
When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. / It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes.

Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

Psalm 119:18
Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

And Shaphan read

Deuteronomy 17:19
And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalm 119:46,97-99
I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed…

it [heb] in it

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Book Declareth Delivered Hilkiah Hilki'ah Hilkijah Informed Moreover Presence Priest Read Readeth Reading Scribe Secretary Shaphan Start Therein
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Book Declareth Delivered Hilkiah Hilki'ah Hilkijah Informed Moreover Presence Priest Read Readeth Reading Scribe Secretary Shaphan Start Therein
2 Chronicles 34
1. Josiah's good reign
3. He destroys idolatry
8. He takes order for the repair of the temple
14. Hilkiah, having found a book of the law,
21. Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord
23. Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's time
29. Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, renews the covenant with God














Moreover, Shaphan the scribe
Shaphan, a scribe, held a significant role in the administration of King Josiah's court. The Hebrew root for "scribe" is "saphar," which means to count or recount, indicating his role in recording and communicating important information. Historically, scribes were crucial in preserving and interpreting the law, and Shaphan's involvement underscores the importance of literacy and record-keeping in ancient Judah. His presence in this narrative highlights the divine orchestration in rediscovering God's Word.

told the king
The act of telling the king signifies the communication of vital information. In the Hebrew context, the word "told" (nagad) implies making something known or declaring it. This moment is pivotal as it marks the transition of divine revelation from the priesthood to the monarchy, emphasizing the king's responsibility to lead the nation in accordance with God's law.

Hilkiah the priest
Hilkiah, the high priest, plays a crucial role in this narrative. His name means "my portion is Yahweh," reflecting his dedication to God. As a priest, Hilkiah was responsible for the spiritual oversight of the nation. His discovery of the book in the temple signifies a divine intervention, reminding the people of their covenant with God. This event is a turning point, leading to national repentance and reform.

has given me a book
The "book" referred to here is widely believed to be a copy of the Torah, possibly the Book of Deuteronomy. The Hebrew word for "book" is "sefer," which denotes a written document or scroll. This discovery is significant as it represents the reintroduction of God's law to a nation that had strayed from His commandments. The physical presence of the book symbolizes the enduring nature of God's Word and its power to transform lives.

And Shaphan read it
The act of reading the book aloud is significant in the ancient context, where oral tradition was a primary means of communication. The Hebrew word for "read" is "qara," which means to call out or proclaim. This public reading signifies the accessibility of God's Word to all people, not just the religious elite. It underscores the importance of hearing and understanding Scripture as a community.

in the presence of the king
Reading the book in the king's presence highlights the accountability of leadership to God's Word. The king, as the nation's leader, is reminded of his duty to govern according to divine principles. This moment is a call to action, urging the king to align his reign with God's commandments. It serves as a reminder that true leadership is rooted in obedience to God and His revealed will.

(18) Then.--And. The verse is identical with 2Kings 22:10, save that it substitutes "read in it" for "read it," which may mean the same thing. It seems too much to assume that the chronicler altered the phrase, in order to insinuate that the book was of considerable size.

Verse 18. - The implication on the face of this verse as of the parallel (2 Kings 22:10), is that Shaphan leaves the king to surmise (which he very quickly does), from hearing a portion (Hebrew here, read in it; in parallel, "read it") of the book, what it was.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Moreover, Shaphan
שָׁפָ֤ן (šā·p̄ān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8227: A species of rockrabbit, the hyrax

the scribe
הַסּוֹפֵר֙ (has·sō·w·p̄êr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

told
וַיַּגֵּ֞ד (way·yag·gêḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

the king,
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

“Hilkiah
חִלְקִיָּ֖הוּ (ḥil·qî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2518: Hilkiah -- 'my portion is Yah', the name of several Israelites

the priest
הַכֹּהֵ֑ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

has given
נָ֣תַן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me
לִ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

a book.”
סֵ֚פֶר (sê·p̄er)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

And Shaphan
שָׁפָ֖ן (šā·p̄ān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8227: A species of rockrabbit, the hyrax

read
וַיִּקְרָא־ (way·yiq·rā-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

it
ב֥וֹ (ḇōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

in the presence
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the king.
הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 34:18 Shaphan the scribe told the king saying (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 34:17
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