2 Chronicles 34:6

“And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, etc.] Which though they belonged to the ten tribes, yet these being carried captive by the king of Assyria, they that were left became subject to the kings of Judah, (See Gill on “<122319>2 Kings 23:19”), with their mattocks round about; or hammers or mauls, as Kimchi, or pick axes, such sort of instruments as were used in demolishing altars and images: the Targum is, “in the house of their desolation;” and so other versions, “in their desolate places” f157, which were become such, the inhabitants being carried captive, and few left behind.”

“with their mattocks--or, "in their deserts"--so that the verse will stand thus: "And so did [namely, break the altars and burn the bones of priests] he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, in their deserted suburbs." The reader is apt to be surprised on finding that Josiah, whose hereditary possessions were confined to the kingdom of Judah, exercised as much authority among the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, Simeon, and others as far as Naphtali, as he did within his own dominion. Therefore, it is necessary to observe that, after the destruction of Samaria by Shalmaneser, the remnant that continued on the mountains of Israel maintained a close intercourse…”

“The power of Assyria being now (629-624 B.C.) greatly weakened, if not completely broken, Josiah aimed not merely at a religious reformation, but at a restoration of the kingdom to its ancient limits (see the 2 Kings 23:19 note). With their mattocks ... - Or “in their desolate places” (comparePsalms 109:10; Psalms 109:10). Another reading gives the sense, “he proved their house round about.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Naphtali - Which was in the utmost borders of the kingdom of Israel. For it must be remembered, that the ten tribes were now gone into captivity; and those who were come in their stead were weak and few, and not able to withstand the power of Josiah. 2 Chronicles 34:8”

“34:6 By Josiah’s twelfth year as king (628 BC), the Assyrian Empire had largely disintegrated. During this time, the north of Israel was virtually deserted, making it possible for Josiah to extend his influence and control into Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, even as far as Naphtali.”

“in: Ch2 30:1, Ch2 30:10, Ch2 30:11, Ch2 31:1; Kg2 23:15-20 mattocks: or, mauls, Sa1 13:20, Sa1 13:21; Pro 25:18; Isa 7:25 2 Chronicles 34:7”

“Ch2 34:6 and Ch2 34:7 form a connected sentence: And in the cities of Manasseh ..., in their ruins round about, there he pulled down the altars, etc. The tribe of Simeon is here, as in Ch2 15:9, reckoned among the tribes of the kingdom of Israel, because the Simeonites, although they belonged geographically to the kingdom of Judah, yet in religion remained attached to the worship on the high places practised by the ten tribes; see on Ch2 15:9. "And unto Naphtali" is added, to designate the kingdom of Israel in its whole extent to the northern frontier of Canaan. The form בתיהם בּחר (in the Keth. divided into two words) gives no suitable sense. R. Sal. explains, timentes in planitie habitare,…”