The Book of the Law Found
2 Kings 22
Josiah reigns in Judah and does what is right, and in the eighteenth year of his reign he orders the temple funds to be used for repairs. During the work, the high priest Chelcias finds the book of the law, which is read to Josiah, who tears his garments in distress and sends to the prophetess Huldah, who confirms that judgment will come on Jerusalem but that Josiah himself, because of his humility, will be spared from seeing it.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonJOSIAS was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem, and his mother’s name was Jedia. She was a daughter of Edria of Basuroth.
BrentonJosias was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jedia, daughter of Edeia of Basuroth.
GreekΥἱὸς ὀκτὼ ἐτῶν Ἰωσείας ἐν τῷ βασιλεύειν αὐτὸν, καὶ τριάκοντα καὶ ἓν ἔτος ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ, καὶ ὄνομα τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ Ἰεδία, θυλάτηρ Ἐδεϊὰ ἐκ Βασουρώθ.
KJVJosiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
JPSJosiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.
2
ThomsonHe did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of David his forefather, and turned not aside to the right nor to the left.
BrentonAnd he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father; he turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε τὸ εὐθὲς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Κυρίου, καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐν πάσῃ ὁδῷ Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, οὐκ ἀπέστη δεξιὰ καὶ ἀριστερά.
KJVAnd he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
JPSAnd he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
3
ThomsonAccordingly in the eighteenth year of king Josias in the eighth month, the king sent Sapphan son of Ezelias, son of Mesollam, the scribe of the house of the Lord, saying,
BrentonAnd it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josias, in the eighth month, the king sent Sapphan the son of Ezelias the son of Mesollam, the scribe of the house of the Lord, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν τῷ ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῳ ἔτει τῷ βασιλεῖ Ἰωσείᾳ, ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ὀγδόῳ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸν Σαπφὰν υἱὸν Ἐζελίου υἱοῦ Μεσολλὰμ τὸν γραμματέα οἴκου Κυρίου, λέγων,
KJVAnd it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
JPSAnd it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying.
4
ThomsonGo up to Chelkias the high priest and seal the money which is brought into the house of the Lord—which they who keep the weights have received from the people,
BrentonGo up to Chelcias the high priest, and take account of the money that is brought into the house of the Lord, which they that keep the door have collected of the people.
Greekἀνάβηθι πρὸς Χελκίαν τὸν ἱερέα τὸν μέγαν, καὶ σφράγισον τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ εἰσενεχθὲν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, ὃ συνήγαγον οἱ φυλάσσοντες τὸν σταθμὸν παρὰ τοῦ λαοῦ.
KJVGo up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:
JPS’Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the money which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people;
5
Thomsonand let it be delivered into the hand of the committee of works in the house of the Lord.
BrentonAnd let them give it into the hand of the workmen that are appointed in the house of the Lord. And he gave it to the workmen in the house of the Lord, to repair the breaches of the house,
GreekΚαὶ δότωσαν αὐτὸ ἐπὶ χεῖρα ποιούντων τὰ ἔργα τῶν καθεσταμένων ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου· καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸ τοῖς ποιοῦσι τὰ ἔργα τοῖς ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου τοῦ κατισχῦσαι τὸ βεδὲκ τοῦ οἴκου,
KJVAnd let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,
JPSand let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen that have the oversight of the house of the LORD; and let them give it to the workmen that are in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house;
6
ThomsonAnd when he had given this to the committee of works in the house of the Lord to defray the expense of the repairs of the house—for the carpenters and the masons, and them who built the walls, and to purchase wood and hewn stone to repair the breaches of the house—
Brentoneven to the carpenters, and builders, and masons, and also to purchase timber and hewn stones, to repair the breaches of the house.
Greekτοῖς τέκτοσι καὶ τοῖς οἰκοδόμοις καὶ τοῖς τειχισταῖς, καὶ τοῦ κτήσασθαι ξύλα καὶ λίθους λατομητοὺς, τοῦ κραταιῶσαι τὸ βεδὲκ τοῦ οἴκου.
KJVUnto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
JPSunto the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons; and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the house.’—
7
Thomson(now they to whom the money was given were not to be called to account, for they acted in good faith);
BrentonOnly they did not call them to account for the money that was given to them, because they dealt faithfully.
GreekΠλὴν οὐκ ἐξελογίζοντο αὐτοὺς τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ διδόμενον αὐτοῖς, ὅτι ἐν πίστει αὐτοὶ ποιοῦσι.
KJVHowbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
JPSHowbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand; for they dealt faithfully.
8
ThomsonChelkias the high priest said to Sapphan the scribe, I have found a book of the law in the house of the Lord. So Chelkias gave the book to Sapphan. And when he had read it
BrentonAnd Chelcias the high priest said to Sapphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Chelcias gave the book to Sapphan, and he read it.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Χελκίας ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας πρὸς Σαπφὰν τὸν γραμματέα, βιβλίον τοῦ νόμου εὗρον ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου· καὶ ἔδωκε Χελκίας τὸ βιβλίον πρὸς Σαπφὰν, καὶ ἀνέγνω αὐτό.
KJVAnd Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
JPSAnd Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe: ‘I have found the book of the Law in the house of the LORD.’ And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
9
Thomsonhe went to the king in the house of the Lord; and having made report to the king, saying, Thy servants have melted the silver found in the house of the Lord, and have given it to the committee of works which hath charge of the house,
BrentonAnd he went into the house of the Lord to the king, and reported the matter to the king, and said, Thy servants have collected the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have given it into the hand of the workmen that are appointed in the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ ἀπέστρεψε τῷ βασιλεῖ ῥῆμα, καὶ εἶπεν, ἐχώνευσαν οἱ δοῦλοί σου τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ εὑρεθὲν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, καὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτὸ ἐπὶ χεῖρα ποιούντων τὰ ἔργα καθεσταμένων ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου.
KJVAnd Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
JPSAnd Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought back word unto the king, and said: ‘Thy servants have poured out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.’
10
ThomsonSapphan the scribe spake to the king, saying, Chelkias the priest hath given me a book. And Sapphan read it before the king.
BrentonAnd Sapphan the scribe spoke to the king, saying, Chelcias the priest has given me a book. And Sapphan read it before the king.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαπφὰν ὁ γραμματεὺς πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, λέγων, βιβλίον ἔδωκέ μοι Χελκίας ὁ ἱερεύς· καὶ ἀνέγνω αὐτὸ Σαπφὰν ἐνώπιον τοῦ βασιλέως.
KJVAnd Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
JPSAnd Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying: ‘Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book.’ And Shaphan read it before the king.
11
ThomsonAnd when the king heard the words of the book of the law he rent his clothes.
BrentonAnd it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his garments.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοὺς λόγους βιβλίου τοῦ νόμου, καὶ διέῤῥηξε τὰ ἱμάτια ἑαυτοῦ.
KJVAnd it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
JPSAnd it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the Law, that he rent his clothes.
12
ThomsonThen the king gave orders to Chelkias the priest and Achikam son of Sapphan and Achobar son of Michaias, and to Sapphan the scribe and Asaias a servant of the king, saying,
BrentonAnd the king commanded Chelcias the priest, and Achikam the son of Sapphan, and Achobor the son of Michaias, and Sapphan the scribe, and Asaias the king's servant, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Χελκίᾳ τῷ ἱερεῖ, καὶ τῷ Ἀχικὰμ υἱῷ Σαπφὰν, καὶ τῷ Ἀχοβὼρ υἱῷ Μιχαίου, καὶ τῷ Σαπφὰν τῷ γραμματεῖ, καὶ τῷ Ἀσαΐᾳ δούλῳ τοῦ βασιλέως, λέγων,
KJVAnd the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,
JPSAnd the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying:
13
ThomsonGo and inquire of the Lord concerning me and concerning all this people and concerning all Juda, and concerning the words of this book which is found. For great must be the wrath of the Lord which is kindled against us; because our fathers have not hearkened to the words of this book to do according to all that is written for us.
BrentonGo, enquire of the Lord for me, and for all the people, and for all Juda, and concerning the words of this book that has been found: for the wrath of the Lord that has been kindled against us is great, because our fathers hearkened not to the words of this book, to do according to all the things written concerning us.
Greekδεῦτε, ἐκζητήσατε τὸν Κύριον περὶ ἐμοῦ, καὶ περὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ περὶ παντὸς τοῦ Ἰούδα, καὶ περὶ τῶν λόγων τοῦ βιβλίου τοῦ εὑρεθέντος τούτου, ὅτι μεγάλη ἡ ὀργὴ Κυρίου ἐκκεκαυμένη ἐν ἡμῖν, ὑπὲρ οὗ οὐκ ἤκουσαν οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν τῶν λόγων τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου τοῦ ποιεῖν κατὰ πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα καθʼ ἡμῶν.
KJVGo ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
JPS’Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.’
14
ThomsonAccordingly Chelkias the priest went with Achikam and Achobar and Sapphan and Asaias to Olda the prophetess, the mother of Sellem son of Thekuan, son of Aras the keeper of the wardrobe. Now she dwelt at Jerusalem in the Masena.
BrentonSo Chelcias the priest went, and Achicam, and Achobor, and Sapphan, and Asaias, to Olda the prophetess, the mother of Sellem the son of Thecuan son of Aras, keeper of the robes; and she dwelt in Jerusalem in Masena; and they spoke to her.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπορεύθη Χελκίας ὁ ἱερεὺς, καὶ Ἀχικὰμ, καὶ Ἀχοβὼρ, καὶ Σαπφὰν, καὶ Ἀσαΐας πρὸς Ὄλδαν τὴν προφῆτιν μητέρα Σελλὴμ υἱοῦ Θεκουαὺ υἱοῦ Ἀρὰς τοῦ ἱματιοφύλακος· καὶ αὕτη κατῴκει ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ ἐν τῇ Μασενᾷ· καὶ ἐλάλησαν πρὸς αὐτήν.
KJVSo Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
JPSSo Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe—now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter—and they spoke with her.
15
ThomsonAnd when they had spoken to her, she said to them, Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel, Say to the man who hath sent you to me,
BrentonAnd she said to them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Say to the man that sent you to me,
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, τάδε λέγει Κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, εἴπατε τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἀποστείλαντι ὑμᾶς πρὸς μέ,
KJVAnd she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
JPSAnd she said unto them: ‘Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Tell ye the man that sent you unto me:
16
ThomsonThus saith the Lord, Behold I am bringing evils on this place and on the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Juda hath read.
BrentonThus saith the Lord, Behold, I bring evil upon this place, and upon them that dwell in it, even all the words of the book which the king of Juda has read:
Greekτάδε λέγει Κύριος, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐπάγω κακὰ ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τοῦτον, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας αὐτὸν πάντας τοὺς λόγους τοῦ βιβλίου οὓς ἀνέγνω βασιλεὺς Ἰούδα,
KJVThus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
JPSThus saith the LORD: Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read;
17
ThomsonBecause they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me by the works of their hands, therefore My wrath shall be kindled against this place and shall not be quenched.
Brentonbecause they have forsaken me, and burnt incense to other gods, that they might provoke me with the works of their hands: therefore my wrath shall burn forth against this place, and shall not be quenched.
Greekἀνθʼ ὧν ἐγκατέλιπόν με, καὶ ἐθυμίων θεοῖς ἑτέροις, ὅπως παροργίσωσί με ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκκαυθήσεται θυμός μου ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ καὶ οὐ σβεσθήσεται.
KJVBecause they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
JPSbecause they have forsaken Me, and have offered unto other gods, that they might provoke Me with all the work of their hands; therefore My wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.
18
ThomsonBut to the king of Juda who hath sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: With respect to the words which thou hast heard,
BrentonAnd to the king of Juda that sent you to enquire of the Lord,—thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As for the words which thou hast heard;
GreekΚαὶ πρὸς βασιλέα Ἰούδα τὸν ἀποστείλαντα ὑμᾶς ἐπιζητῆσαι τὸν Κύριον, τάδε ἐρεῖτε πρὸς αὐτὸν, τάδε λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἤκουσας,
KJVBut to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;
JPSBut unto the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him: Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: As touching the words which thou hast heard,
19
Thomsonbecause thy heart was softened and thou didst humble thyself on the account of them soon as thou didst hear what I had spoken against this place and the inhabitants thereof—that they should become a desolation and a curse; and didst rend thy clothes and weep before Me; for I heard, saith the Lord;
Brentonbecause thy heart was softened, and thou wast humbled before me, when thou heardest all that I spoke against this place, and against the inhabitants of it, that it should be utterly destroyed and accursed, and thou didst rend thy garments, and weep before me; I also have heard, saith the Lord.
Greekἀνθʼ ὧν ὅτι ἡπαλύνθη ἡ καρδία σου, καὶ ἐνετράπης ἀπὸ προσώπου, ὡς ἤκουσας ὅσα ἐλάλησα ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τοῦτον καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας αὐτὸν, τοῦ εἶναι εἰς ἀφανισμὸν καὶ εἰς κατάραν, καὶ διέῤῥηξας τὰ ἱμάτιά σου καὶ ἔκλαυσας ἐνώπιόν μου, καί γε ἐγὼ ἤκουσα, λέγει Κύριος.
KJVBecause thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
JPSbecause thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spoke against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become an astonishment and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me, I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
20
Thomsontherefore behold I will gather thee to thy fathers and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, and thy eyes shall not see all the evils which I will bring on this place.
BrentonIt shall not be so therefore: behold, I will add thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy tomb in peace, and thine eyes shall not see any among all the evils which I bring upon this place.
GreekΟὐχ οὕτως· ἰδοὺ προστίθημί σε πρὸς τοὺς πατέρας σου, καὶ συναχθήσῃ εἰς τὸν τάφον σου ἐν εἰρήνῃ, καὶ οὐκ ὀφθήσεται ἐν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς σου ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς κακοῖς οἷς ἐγώ εἰμι ἐπάγω ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τοῦτον.
KJVBehold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
JPSTherefore, behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.’ And they brought back word unto the king.