Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. New Living Translation Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since. English Standard Version Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. Berean Standard Bible Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses. King James Bible And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. New King James Version Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. New American Standard Bible Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart, all his soul, and all his might, in conformity to all the Law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. NASB 1995 Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. NASB 1977 And before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. Legacy Standard Bible And before him there was no king like him who turned to Yahweh with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. Amplified Bible Before him there was no king like Josiah who turned to the LORD with all his heart and all his soul and all his might, in accordance with all the Law of Moses; nor did anyone like him arise after him. Christian Standard Bible Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength according to all the law of Moses, and no one like him arose after him. Holman Christian Standard Bible Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his mind and with all his heart and with all his strength according to all the law of Moses, and no one like him arose after him. American Standard Version And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to Jehovah with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. Contemporary English Version No other king before or after Josiah tried as hard as he did to obey the Law of Moses. English Revised Version And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. GOD'S WORD® Translation No king before Josiah had turned to the LORD with all his heart, soul, and strength, as directed in Moses' Teachings. No other [king] was like Josiah. Good News Translation There had never been a king like him before, who served the LORD with all his heart, mind, and strength, obeying all the Law of Moses; nor has there been a king like him since. International Standard Version There had been no king like him before him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his strength, in obeying everything in the Law of Moses. No king arose like Josiah after him. NET Bible No king before or after repented before the LORD as he did, with his whole heart, soul, and being in accordance with the whole law of Moses. New Heart English Bible Like him was there no king before him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. Webster's Bible Translation And like him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNeither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses. World English Bible There was no king like him before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose after him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd like him there has not been before him a king who turned back to YHWH with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, and after him there has none risen like him. Young's Literal Translation And like him there hath not been before him a king who turned back unto Jehovah with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses, and after him there hath none risen like him. Smith's Literal Translation And like him was there not a king before him who turned back to Jehovah with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and after him there arose not like him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere was no king before him like unto him, that returned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with ail his strength, according to all the law of Moses: neither after him did there arise any like him. Catholic Public Domain Version There was no king before him similar to him, who returned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his strength, in accord with the entire law of Moses. And after him, there rose up no one similar to him. New American Bible Before him there had been no king who turned to the LORD as he did, with his whole heart, his whole being, and his whole strength, in accord with the entire law of Moses; nor did any king like him arise after him. New Revised Standard Version Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd like unto him was there no king before him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all that which is written in the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And there was not a King like him before him, for he was turned to LORD JEHOVAH with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his power, as it is written in the Torah of Moshe, and after him none arose like him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. Brenton Septuagint Translation There was no king like him before him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his strength, according to all the law of Moses; and after him there rose not one like him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Josiah Restores the Passover…24Furthermore, Josiah removed the mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this to carry out the words of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD. 25Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses. 26Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the fury of His burning anger, which was kindled against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to provoke Him to anger.… Cross References Deuteronomy 6:5 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 2 Kings 18:5-6 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. Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 2 Chronicles 34:31 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. Matthew 22:37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Luke 10:27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 2 Chronicles 34:33 And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 15:17 The high places were not removed from Israel, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted all his days. 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God. / He acted with all his heart in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments, in order to seek his God. And so he prospered. 1 Kings 8:61 So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.” 1 Kings 15:14 The high places were not removed, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days. Jeremiah 22:15-16 Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. / He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD. 2 Chronicles 17:3-4 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. Treasury of Scripture And like to him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. A. 2 Kings 18:5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. that turned. 2 Kings 23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant. Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. according. Nehemiah 10:29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; Malachi 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Jump to Previous Heart Law Moses Soul TurnedJump to Next Heart Law Moses Soul Turned2 Kings 23 1. Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly.3. He renews the covenant of the Lord. 4. He destroys idolatry. 15. He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Bethel, as was prophesied. 21. He keeps a most solemn Passover. 24. He puts away witches and all abomination. 26. God's final wrath against Judah. 29. Josiah, provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo. 31. Jehoahaz, succeeding him, 33. is imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco, who makes Jehoiakim king. 36. Jehoiakim's wicked reign. Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him This phrase highlights the uniqueness of King Josiah's reign in the history of Judah. Josiah's reforms and dedication to God set him apart from other kings. His reign is marked by a significant religious revival, as he sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. This statement underscores the rarity of such devotion among the kings of Judah, emphasizing Josiah's exceptional commitment to God. who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength according to all the Law of Moses Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe King of Judah who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC. Known for his religious reforms and dedication to the LORD, he sought to restore true worship in Judah. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, where Josiah reigned. It was a time of spiritual decline before Josiah's reforms. 3. The Law of Moses The commandments and instructions given by God to Moses, which Josiah sought to follow wholeheartedly. 4. The Temple The central place of worship in Jerusalem, which Josiah cleansed of idolatry and restored to proper use. 5. Idolatry The worship of idols, which was rampant in Judah before Josiah's reforms. Josiah took significant steps to eradicate it. Teaching Points Wholehearted DevotionJosiah's life teaches us the importance of seeking God with all our heart, soul, and strength. This involves a complete commitment to God's ways and commands. The Power of Reform Josiah's reforms show that one person's dedication to God can lead to significant spiritual renewal and change in a community or nation. Obedience to God's Word Josiah's adherence to the Law of Moses highlights the importance of knowing and obeying Scripture as a guide for righteous living. Legacy of Faithfulness Josiah's legacy is a reminder that our actions and faithfulness to God can leave a lasting impact on future generations. Repentance and Renewal Josiah's actions demonstrate the need for repentance and the removal of anything that hinders true worship of God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 23:25?2. How did Josiah's devotion to God surpass previous kings in 2 Kings 23:25? 3. What actions demonstrated Josiah's commitment to the Law of Moses? 4. How can we emulate Josiah's wholehearted devotion in our daily lives? 5. What scriptural connections highlight the importance of following God's commandments wholeheartedly? 6. How does Josiah's example challenge us to renew our commitment to God today? 7. How did Josiah's reforms compare to other kings in 2 Kings 23:25? 8. Why was Josiah's devotion unique according to 2 Kings 23:25? 9. What historical evidence supports Josiah's religious reforms in 2 Kings 23:25? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 23? 11. Why does 2 Kings 23:25 suggest Josiah surpassed even David in devotion, seemingly contradicting other texts that exalt David’s faithfulness? 12. 2 Kings 18:5–6 – How can we verify Hezekiah’s unprecedented devotion when other kings are also praised elsewhere? 13. Why should anyone despise your youth? 14. Ezekiel 4:6: How do the 40 days for Judah align with or contradict other biblical timelines found in Kings and Chronicles? What Does 2 Kings 23:25 Mean Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him• The text sets Josiah apart in all of Judah’s royal line. Earlier reforms by kings such as Asa (1 Kings 15:11–14) and Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:5–6) were commendable, yet Scripture singles out Josiah as unmatched. • His reforms filled two full chapters (2 Kings 22–23), sweeping away everything from high places to occult practices. What makes him unique is the total scope and speed of obedience described in 2 Chronicles 34:3–7. • The wording “before nor after” is God’s own evaluation. It invites us to view Josiah’s reign as a model for genuine revival—proof that wholehearted devotion can flourish even in a dark era (cf. Philippians 2:15). who turned to the LORD with all his heart • “Turned” signals repentance and decisive redirection, as illustrated when Josiah tore his robes after hearing the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:11). • “Heart” in Scripture points to the control center of thoughts, motives, and desires (Proverbs 4:23). Josiah’s reforms weren’t cosmetic; they sprang from an inner, personal relationship with the LORD (Psalm 119:10). • By removing idolatry from the temple precincts (2 Kings 23:4–7), Josiah demonstrated that true repentance starts with clearing out rival loves (Matthew 6:24). and with all his soul • “Soul” brings depth—life, identity, personhood (Genesis 2:7). Josiah’s pursuit of God shaped not only his private faith but his national policies, public worship, and judicial acts (2 Kings 23:24). • The Passover he reinstated “had not been observed like it since the days of the judges” (2 Kings 23:22). That event involved every citizen, showing that revival at the top can influence the spiritual life of an entire people (Acts 3:19). • Josiah’s soul-level commitment challenges believers to integrate devotion into every sphere—family, work, civic engagement (Colossians 3:17). and with all his strength • “Strength” highlights energy, resources, and resolve (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Josiah’s zeal mobilized craftsmen, priests, and Levites; he personally supervised demolitions of pagan sites (2 Chronicles 34:8). • His reforms were costly. Valuable idols were pulverized (2 Kings 23:15). Emptying treasuries for temple repair (2 Kings 22:4–7) shows that genuine obedience affects the budget. • New-covenant believers are called to the same vigorous discipleship (Romans 12:11; 1 Corinthians 15:58). according to all the Law of Moses • Josiah’s standard was not popular opinion or political expediency but the written Word discovered in the temple (2 Kings 22:8). • He submitted the nation to Scripture by publicly reading it (2 Kings 23:2), echoing Deuteronomy 31:11–13. • Obedience “to all” the Law emphasizes completeness—no selective morality. James 2:10 echoes this principle: break one part, and the whole is violated. • The discovery of the Law ignited reform; Scripture still carries power to revive hearts today (Psalm 19:7). summary Josiah’s legacy is unmatched devotion: head, heart, hands, and national policy aligned with God’s Word. By turning fully to the LORD, investing every ounce of passion and resource, and conforming strictly to Scripture, he models the type of revival God’s people in any era can seek—wholehearted, comprehensive, and courageous. (25) And. like unto him was there no king before him.--Comp. 2Kings 18:5-6, where a similar eulogy is passed upon Hezekiah. It is not, perhaps, necessary to insist upon any formal contradiction which may appear to result from a comparison of the two passages. A writer would not be careful to measure his words by the rule of strict proportion in such cases. Still, as the preceding account indicates, the Mosaic law does not appear to have been so rigorously carried out by any preceding king as by Josiah. (See Note on 2Chronicles 30:26.)With all his heart . . .--An echo of Deuteronomy 6:5. That Josiah's merits did not merely consist in a strict observance of the legitimate worship and ritual, is evident from Jeremiah 22:15-16, where he is praised for his righteousness as a judge. Verse 25. - And like unto him was there no king before him (see the comment on 2 Kings 18:5). The writer of Kings cannot be said to place Josiah above Hezekiah, or Hezekiah above Josiah. He accords them the same degree of praise, but, in Hezekiah's case, dwells upon his trust in God; in Josiah's, upon his exact obedience to the Law. On the whole, his judgment accords very closely with that of the son of Sirach (Ecclus. 49:4). "All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were defective: for they forsook the Law of the Most High." That turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might. This triple enumeration is intended to include the whole moral and mental nature of man, all the energies of his understanding, his will, and his physical vitality (see the comment on Deuteronomy 6:5 - a passage which is in the writer's mind). According to all the Law of Moses. This is an indication that, in the writer's view, the whole Law was contained in the book found by Hilkiah. Neither after him arose there any like him. This is but moderate praise, since the four kings who reigned after him - Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah - were, one and all, wicked princes.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Neitherלֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no before לְפָנָ֜יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face nor לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no after [Josiah] וְאַחֲרָ֖יו (wə·’a·ḥă·rāw) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 310: The hind or following part was there קָ֥ם (qām) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand any king מֶ֗לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king like him, וְכָמֹהוּ֩ (wə·ḵā·mō·hū) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 3644: Like, as, when who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that turned שָׁ֤ב (šāḇ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel with all בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every his heart לְבָב֤וֹ (lə·ḇā·ḇōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart and with all וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every his soul נַפְשׁוֹ֙ (nap̄·šōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion and with all וּבְכָל־ (ū·ḇə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every his strength, מְאֹד֔וֹ (mə·’ō·ḏōw) Adverb | third person masculine singular Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily according to all כְּכֹ֖ל (kə·ḵōl) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the Law תּוֹרַ֣ת (tō·w·raṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law of Moses. מֹשֶׁ֑ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver Links 2 Kings 23:25 NIV2 Kings 23:25 NLT 2 Kings 23:25 ESV 2 Kings 23:25 NASB 2 Kings 23:25 KJV 2 Kings 23:25 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 23:25 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 23:25 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 23:25 French Bible 2 Kings 23:25 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 23:25 Like him was there no king before (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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