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2 Chronicles 34:1

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Chronicles 34:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 34:1 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Chronicles 34

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem.
2And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, and walked in the ways of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
3For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images.
4And they brake down the altars of the Baalim in his presence; and the sun-images that were on high above them he hewed down; and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strewed it upon the graves [of them] that had sacrificed unto them.
← 2 Chronicles 33:252 Chronicles 34:2 →
← Full Chapter 34 2 Chronicles Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“JOSIAH'S GOOD REIGN. (Ch2 34:1-2) Josiah was eight years old--(See on Kg2 22:1). The testimony borne to the undeviating steadfastness of his adherence to the cause of true religion places his character and reign in honorable contrast with those of many of his royal predecessors.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare the parallel history of 2 Kings 22:0 notes; 23:1-30 notes; the writer here being more full on the celebration of the Passover. The only approach to a discrepancy between the two narratives is with respect to the time of the religions reformation, which the writer of Chronicles distinctly places before, the author of Kings after, the repair of the temple. The best explanation seems to be, that the author of Kings has departed from the chronological order, to which he makes no profession of adhering. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“34:1 Josiah’s reign of thirty-one years was from 640 to 609 BC.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“am 3363-3394, bc 641-610 Josiah: Ch2 33:25; Kg1 13:2; 2Kings 22:1-20; Ch1 3:14, Ch1 3:15; Jer 1:2; Zep 1:1; Mat 1:10, Mat 1:11, Josias eight years: Ch2 24:1, Ch2 26:1, Ch2 33:1; Sa1 2:18, Sa1 2:26; Kg1 3:7-9; Ecc 4:13 2 Chronicles 34:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Duration and spirit of Josiah's reign; agreeing with Kg2 22:1, Kg2 22:2, only the note as to Josiah's mother being here omitted. 2 Chronicles 34:3”
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Related study paths

Read 2 Chronicles 34 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification