2 Kings 22:11
New International Version
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.

New Living Translation
When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.

English Standard Version
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

Berean Standard Bible
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

New King James Version
Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.

New American Standard Bible
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

NASB 1995
When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

NASB 1977
And it came about when the king heard the words of the book of the law, that he tore his clothes.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

Amplified Bible
Now when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

Christian Standard Bible
When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

Contemporary English Version
When Josiah heard what was in The Book of God's Law, he tore his clothes in sorrow.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the king heard what the book of the Teachings said, he tore his clothes [in distress].

Good News Translation
When the king heard the book being read, he tore his clothes in dismay,

International Standard Version
When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes

Majority Standard Bible
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes

NET Bible
When the king heard the words of the law scroll, he tore his clothes.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when the king had heard the words of the scroll of the law, that he tore his clothes.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

World English Bible
When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, at the king’s hearing the words of the Scroll of the Law, that he tears his garments,

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at the king's hearing the words of the book of the law, that he rendeth his garments,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be when the king heard the words of the book of the law, and he will rend his garments.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king had heard the words of the law of the Lord, he rent his garments.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and the king had heard the words of the book of the law of the Lord, he tore his garments.

New American Bible
When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his garments.

New Revised Standard Version
When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when the King heard the words of the Scroll of the Torah, he ripped his clothes.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the Law, that he rent his clothes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his garments.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law
10Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes 12and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 34:19
When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes

Jeremiah 36:24
Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments.

Deuteronomy 31:24-26
When Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, / he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD: / “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you.

2 Kings 23:2-3
And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. / So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

Nehemiah 8:9
Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.

Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

Jeremiah 26:18-19
“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and told all the people of Judah that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.’ / Did Hezekiah king of Judah or anyone else in Judah put him to death? Did Hezekiah not fear the LORD and seek His favor, and did not the LORD relent of the disaster He had pronounced against them? But we are about to bring great harm on ourselves!”

2 Chronicles 34:21
“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.”

Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Acts 2:37
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

James 1:23-25
For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. / But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Luke 24:27
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

that he rent.

2 Kings 22:19
Because 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.

2 Chronicles 34:19
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.

Jeremiah 36:24
Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.

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Book Clothes Garments Grief Hands Heard Hearing King's Law Parting Rendeth Rent Robe Robes Sign Tore Violently Words
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Book Clothes Garments Grief Hands Heard Hearing King's Law Parting Rendeth Rent Robe Robes Sign Tore Violently Words
2 Kings 22
1. Josiah's good reign.
3. He takes care for the repair of the temple.
8. Hilkiah having found a book of the law,
12. Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord.
15. Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's time.














When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law
This phrase refers to King Josiah of Judah, who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC. The "Book of the Law" is generally understood to be a portion of the Torah, likely Deuteronomy, discovered during temple renovations. This discovery is significant as it highlights the neglect of God's law in Judah prior to Josiah's reforms. The reading of the law brought awareness of the nation's deviation from God's commandments, emphasizing the importance of Scripture in guiding the moral and spiritual life of the people. This event parallels the rediscovery of God's Word in personal and communal life, leading to repentance and revival.

he tore his clothes
Tearing one's clothes in ancient Israel was a customary expression of deep grief, distress, or repentance. Josiah's reaction indicates his profound sorrow and alarm upon realizing the extent of Judah's disobedience and the impending judgment prophesied in the law. This act of tearing clothes is a physical manifestation of a contrite heart, aligning with biblical themes of repentance seen in other scriptures, such as Joel 2:13, which calls for rending hearts rather than garments. Josiah's response foreshadows the ultimate repentance and atonement found in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and offers redemption through His sacrifice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Josiah
The king of Judah who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC. Known for his religious reforms and dedication to restoring the worship of Yahweh.

2. Hilkiah the High Priest
The high priest who discovered the Book of the Law in the temple during renovations ordered by King Josiah.

3. Shaphan the Scribe
The royal secretary who read the Book of the Law to King Josiah, leading to the king's dramatic reaction.

4. The Book of the Law
Likely a portion of the Torah, possibly Deuteronomy, found during temple repairs, which had been neglected for many years.

5. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where the temple was located and where these events took place.
Teaching Points
The Power of God's Word
The rediscovery of the Book of the Law demonstrates the transformative power of Scripture. When God's Word is read and understood, it can lead to profound personal and communal change.

Repentance and Humility
Josiah's tearing of his clothes is a sign of deep repentance and humility. This act teaches us the importance of responding to God's Word with a contrite heart.

The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
Josiah's leadership in reforming Judah's religious practices shows the impact a godly leader can have. Spiritual leaders today should prioritize the teaching and application of Scripture.

Neglect of Scripture
The fact that the Book of the Law was lost and forgotten serves as a warning against neglecting God's Word. Regular engagement with Scripture is essential for spiritual health.

Revival through Scripture
Josiah's reforms led to a national revival. This illustrates how returning to the foundational truths of Scripture can bring about renewal in our lives and communities.Verse 11. - And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the Law, that he rent his clothes. To Josiah the book was evidently, as to Hilkiah, in some sort a discovery. It was not, however, a wholly new thing; rather, he accepted it as the recovery of a thing that was known to have been lost, and was now happily found. And in accepting it he regarded it as authoritative. It was not to him "a book of Law" (Ewald), but "the book of the Law." We can well imagine that, although the book may have been lost early in Manasseh's reign, yet echoes of it had lingered on

(1) in the liturgies of the Jehovistic worship;

(2) in the teachings of the prophets;

(3) in the traditional teaching of religious families; so that the pious ear recognized its phrases as familiar. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

heard
כִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ (kiš·mō·a‘)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the words
דִּבְרֵ֖י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the Book
סֵ֣פֶר (sê·p̄er)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

of the Law,
הַתּוֹרָ֑ה (hat·tō·w·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

he tore
וַיִּקְרַ֖ע (way·yiq·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7167: To rend

his clothes
בְּגָדָֽיו׃ (bə·ḡā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage


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OT History: 2 Kings 22:11 It happened when the king had heard (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 22:10
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