2 Chronicles 34:19
17 They 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.”
18 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.
When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes
20 and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:
21 “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah concerning the words in the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD by doing all that is written in this book.”
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes
- KJV
- And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
- WEB
- When the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.
- ASV
- And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
- DARBY
- And it came to pass when the king heard the words of the law, that he rent his garments.
- BLB
- And it came to pass, in the king hearing the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.
- ÅB
- Da kongen hørte lovens ord, sønderrev han sine klær.
- OTB
- Da kongen hørte lovens ord, rev han sine klær.
- B1930
- Da kongen hørte lovens ord, sønderrev han sine klær.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Joshua 7:6
Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads.
Read in context2 Kings 22:19
because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its people, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.
Read in contextRomans 7:7–11
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
Read in contextJoel 2:13
So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.
Read in context2 Kings 19:1
On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.
Read in contextGalatians 2:19
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.
Read in context2 Kings 22:11
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes
Read in contextGalatians 3:10–13
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Read in context