2 Chronicles 34:3
New International Version
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols.

New Living Translation
During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images.

English Standard Version
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images.

Berean Standard Bible
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images.

King James Bible
For 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 groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

New King James Version
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the wooden images, the carved images, and the molded images.

New American Standard Bible
For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images, and the cast metal images.

NASB 1995
For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images and the molten images.

NASB 1977
For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images, and the molten images.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the graven images, and the molten images.

Amplified Bible
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young (sixteen), he began to seek after and inquire of the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and cast images.

Christian Standard Bible
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast images.

American Standard Version
For 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.

Contemporary English Version
When Josiah was only 16 years old he began worshiping God, just as his ancestor David had done. Then, 4 years later, he decided to destroy the local shrines in Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the sacred poles for worshiping the goddess Asherah and the idols of foreign gods.

English Revised Version
For 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a boy, he began to dedicate his life to serving the God of his ancestor David. In his twelfth year as king, he began to make Judah and Jerusalem clean by destroying the illegal places of worship, poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah, carved idols, and metal idols.

Good News Translation
In the eighth year that Josiah was king, while he was still very young, he began to worship the God of his ancestor King David. Four years later he began to destroy the pagan places of worship, the symbols of the goddess Asherah, and all the other idols.

International Standard Version
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David. In the twelfth year of his reign, he began to remove the high places, Asherim, carved images, and cast images from Judah and Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images.

NET Bible
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David. In his twelfth year he began ridding Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, Asherah poles, idols, and images.

New Heart English Bible
For 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 engraved images, and the molten images.

Webster's Bible Translation
For 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 groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

World English Bible
For 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, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And in the eighth year of his reign (and he [is] yet a youth), he has begun to seek for the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he has begun to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the carved images, and the molten images.

Young's Literal Translation
And in the eighth year of his reign (and he yet a youth), he hath begun to seek to the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he hath begun to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the shrines, and the graven images, and the molten images.

Smith's Literal Translation
And in the eighth year to his reigning, and he yet a youth, he began to seek to the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from the heights, and the statues, and the carved images, and the molten images.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And in the eighth year of his reign, when he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of his father David: and in the twelfth year after he began to reign, he cleansed Juda and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the idols, and the graven things.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now in the eighth year of his reign, when he was still a boy, he began to seek the God of his father David. And in the twelfth year after he had begun to reign, he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the sacred groves, and the idols, and the graven images.

New American Bible
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a youth, he began to seek after the God of David his father. Then in his twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the asherahs, and the carved and molten images.

New Revised Standard Version
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a boy, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the sacred poles, and the carved and the cast images.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a little boy, he began to pray to the LORD the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Moreover he began to demolish altars, idols, carved images, and idol temples,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And in the eighth year of his kingdom until now, he has been a little boy, and he was beginning to pray to the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year was beginning to purify Yehuda and its inhabitants of Jerusalem, and he was beginning to uproot sacrifices and idols and leopards and shrines and necklaces and bells.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And in the eighth year of his reign, and he being yet a youth, he began to seek the Lord God of his father David: and in the twelfth year of his reign he began to purge Juda and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the ornaments for the altars, and the molten images.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Josiah Destroys Idolatry
3In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. 4Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them.…

Cross References
2 Kings 22:3-7
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the scribe, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying, / “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people. / And let them deliver it into the hands of the supervisors of those doing the work on the house of the LORD, who in turn are to give it to the workmen repairing the damages to the house of the LORD— ...

2 Kings 23:4-25
Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. / He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. ...

Jeremiah 1:1-2
These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. / The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,

1 Kings 13:2
And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”

2 Chronicles 15:8
When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD’s temple.

2 Chronicles 17:3-6
Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, / but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel. / So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor. ...

2 Chronicles 29:3-5
In the first month of the first year of his reign, Hezekiah opened and repaired the doors of the house of the LORD. / Then he brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the square on the east side. / “Listen to me, O Levites,” he said. “Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers. Remove from the Holy Place every impurity.

2 Chronicles 31:1
When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.

2 Chronicles 32:12
Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’?

2 Chronicles 33:15-16
He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, along with all the altars he had built on the temple mount and in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city. / Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.

1 Kings 15:11-14
And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done. / He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. / He also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley. ...

1 Kings 22:43
And Jehoshaphat walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not turn away from them, but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

2 Kings 18:4-6
He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. / Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. No king of Judah was like him, either before him or after him. / He remained faithful to the LORD and did not turn from following Him; he kept the commandments that the LORD had given Moses.

Matthew 3:1-2
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.


Treasury of Scripture

For 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 groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

A.

1 Chronicles 22:5
And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

1 Chronicles 29:1
Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.

Psalm 119:9
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

to seek

2 Chronicles 15:2
And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

1 Chronicles 28:9
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Proverbs 8:17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

purge

2 Chronicles 33:17,22
Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only…

Leviticus 26:30
And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.

2 Kings 23:4,14
And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel…

the high places

2 Chronicles 30:14
And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.

2 Kings 18:4
He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

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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














In the eighth year of his reign
This phrase marks a significant turning point in the life of King Josiah. At this time, Josiah was only sixteen years old, indicating his early commitment to spiritual matters. The number eight in biblical numerology often symbolizes new beginnings or a new order. Josiah's reign, beginning with a heart inclined towards God, sets the stage for a spiritual renewal in Judah. Historically, this period was fraught with idolatry and moral decline, making Josiah's early dedication to God all the more remarkable.

while he was still young
Josiah's youth is emphasized to highlight his precocious wisdom and dedication. In Hebrew culture, youth was often associated with inexperience, yet Josiah defies this stereotype by earnestly seeking God. This serves as an inspirational reminder that age is not a barrier to spiritual maturity or leadership. His youthful zeal is reminiscent of other young biblical figures like David and Samuel, who also sought God earnestly from a young age.

Josiah began to seek the God of his father David
The phrase "began to seek" indicates a deliberate and intentional pursuit of God. The Hebrew root for "seek" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) implies a diligent search or inquiry, suggesting that Josiah's actions were not superficial but deeply earnest. By referencing "the God of his father David," the text connects Josiah to the Davidic covenant, emphasizing continuity with the righteous lineage of David, who was a man after God's own heart. This connection underscores the legitimacy and sincerity of Josiah's reforms.

and in the twelfth year
This marks another pivotal moment in Josiah's reign, four years after he began seeking God. The number twelve often symbolizes governmental perfection or divine authority in the Bible. By this time, Josiah would have been twenty years old, an age when he could assert more authority and implement significant reforms. This period of seeking God prepared him for the task of purging idolatry from the land.

he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem
The word "purge" (טָהֵר, taher) in Hebrew conveys the idea of cleansing or purifying. Josiah's actions were not merely political but deeply spiritual, aiming to restore the purity of worship in Judah and Jerusalem. This cleansing was necessary to remove the spiritual defilement that had accumulated over generations. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of widespread idolatry during this period, making Josiah's reforms both timely and necessary.

of the high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images
This list of objects represents the various forms of idolatry that had infiltrated Judah. "High places" were sites of pagan worship often located on elevated ground. "Asherah poles" were wooden symbols associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah. "Carved idols" and "cast images" refer to the physical representations of false gods. Josiah's comprehensive approach to removing these items demonstrates his commitment to eradicating idolatry and restoring true worship. His actions align with the first and second commandments, which prohibit the worship of other gods and the making of graven images. This thorough purging was essential for the spiritual renewal of the nation.

(3-7) Idolatry extirpated. This brief account is parallel to 2Kings 23:4-20.

(3) For.--Now.

In the eighth year.--The specifications of time in this verse are peculiar to the chronicler.

While he was yet young.--Being about sixteen.

He began to seek.--2Chronicles 17:3-4; 1Chronicles 13:3.

And in the twelfth year.--When, perhaps, he began to govern alone. . . .

Verse 3. - This, with the following four verses, forms the commentary on the statement of ver. 2, that Josiah "declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left." We cannot mistake the allusion in this verse to his personal religion at, say, sixteen years of age, as the foundation of his religious reign and of the practical devotion to reformation, instanced as commencing with his twentieth year. It may be here noted that the Prophet Jeremiah was called to his work in the year following thereupon, or, perhaps, the very same year (Jeremiah 1:1, 2). It is highly likely that Josiah and Jeremiah were given to one another providentially, to cooperate in all good works, now so needed for Church and state. The three dates of the eighth, twelfth, and (ver. 8) the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign wore dates memorable in his life. For the two kinds of images of this verse, see succeeding note.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In the eighth
וּבִשְׁמוֹנֶ֨ה (ū·ḇiš·mō·w·neh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8083: A cardinal number, eight, eighth

year
שָׁנִ֜ים (šā·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8141: A year

of his reign,
לְמָלְכ֗וֹ (lə·mā·lə·ḵōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

while he
וְהוּא֙ (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was still
עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ (‘ō·w·ḏen·nū)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

young,
נַ֔עַר (na·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

Josiah began
הֵחֵ֕ל (hê·ḥêl)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

to seek
לִדְר֕וֹשׁ (liḏ·rō·wōš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

the God
לֵאלֹהֵ֖י (lê·lō·hê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of David
דָּוִ֣יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

his forefather,
אָבִ֑יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

and in the twelfth
וּבִשְׁתֵּ֧ים (ū·ḇiš·têm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Number - fd
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

year
שָׁנָ֗ה (šā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

he began
הֵחֵל֙ (hê·ḥêl)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

to cleanse
לְטַהֵ֔ר (lə·ṭa·hêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2891: To be clean or pure

Judah
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and Jerusalem
וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (wî·rū·šā·lim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

of
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the high places,
הַבָּמוֹת֙ (hab·bā·mō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1116: An elevation

the Asherah poles,
וְהָ֣אֲשֵׁרִ֔ים (wə·hā·’ă·šê·rîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same

the carved idols,
וְהַפְּסִלִ֖ים (wə·hap·pə·si·lîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6456: An idol, image

and the cast images.
וְהַמַּסֵּכֽוֹת׃ (wə·ham·mas·sê·ḵō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4541: A pouring over, fusion of metal, a libation, league, a coverlet


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 34:3 For in the eighth year of his (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 34:2
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