2 Kings 23:25
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.

Majority 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.

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.

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 Version
And 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 Bible
There 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 Bible
And 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 1917
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.

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.

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2 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 him
This phrase sets the stage for a comparison, indicating that Josiah's actions were unprecedented. In the Hebrew text, the word "before" is "לְפָנָיו" (lefanav), which can also mean "in his presence" or "in his time." This suggests that Josiah's reforms were unique and unparalleled in the history of the kings of Judah. Historically, this highlights the spiritual decline that had occurred before Josiah's reign, emphasizing the depth of his commitment to God.

nor after him
This phrase continues the comparison, indicating that no king after Josiah matched his dedication. The Hebrew "אַחֲרָיו" (acharav) implies a lasting legacy, suggesting that Josiah's reforms were not only significant in his time but also set a standard for future generations. This underscores the rarity and depth of his devotion, as no subsequent king achieved the same level of faithfulness.

was there a king like him
This statement is a powerful testament to Josiah's unique character and leadership. The Hebrew word for "king" is "מֶלֶךְ" (melech), which denotes not just a ruler but one who is divinely appointed. Josiah's kingship is thus portrayed as divinely favored, setting him apart from other rulers. This highlights the importance of godly leadership and the impact it can have on a nation.

who turned to the LORD
The phrase "turned to the LORD" is significant, as it indicates a complete and wholehearted return to God. The Hebrew verb "שׁוּב" (shuv) means to return or repent, suggesting a radical change of direction. Josiah's turning to the LORD was not superficial but involved a deep, personal commitment to follow God's ways. This serves as an inspirational model for repentance and renewal in one's spiritual life.

with all his heart
The phrase "with all his heart" emphasizes the sincerity and totality of Josiah's devotion. In Hebrew, "heart" is "לֵב" (lev), which represents the center of one's being, including mind, will, and emotions. Josiah's commitment was not partial or divided but complete and undivided, serving as a powerful example of wholehearted devotion to God.

and with all his soul
This phrase further intensifies the description of Josiah's dedication. The Hebrew word for "soul" is "נֶפֶשׁ" (nephesh), which encompasses one's life force or essence. Josiah's devotion involved his entire being, indicating a profound spiritual commitment that permeated every aspect of his life. This challenges believers to pursue a deep, all-encompassing relationship with God.

and with all his strength
The inclusion of "all his strength" highlights the physical and practical aspects of Josiah's devotion. The Hebrew "מְאֹד" (me'od) can mean "muchness" or "abundance," suggesting that Josiah's efforts were vigorous and exhaustive. This reflects the idea that true devotion to God involves not just inner commitment but also outward action and effort.

according to all the Law of Moses
This phrase underscores the standard by which Josiah's reforms were measured. The "Law of Moses" refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain God's commandments. Josiah's adherence to the Law signifies his commitment to God's revealed will, serving as a reminder of the importance of Scripture as the foundation for faith and practice.

No king like him
The repetition of this phrase reinforces the uniqueness of Josiah's reign. It serves as a bookend to the verse, emphasizing the unparalleled nature of his devotion and reforms. This repetition highlights the importance of Josiah's example and the impact of a life fully dedicated to God.

(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
Neither
לֹֽא־ (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


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OT History: 2 Kings 23:25 Like him was there no king before (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 23:24
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