2 Kings 23:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Standing by the pillar, Josiah renews the covenant to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, and all the people join him.
What Does 2 Kings 23:3 Mean?
Standing at the customary royal place by a pillar, Josiah makes a solemn pledge before the Lord to walk after Him and keep His commandments with all his heart and soul. The people rise and bind themselves to the same covenant, ratifying it as one body.
Hearing the word leads naturally to commitment. The phrase 'with all their heart and all their soul' echoes the great command to love God completely. This is not partial reform but whole-hearted return, a picture of the devotion the Lord has always sought from His people and supremely fulfilled in Christ.
2 Kings 23:3 in the Original Language
berith (בְּרִית), 'covenant' -- a binding bond of mutual commitment, here a solemn pledge to belong wholly to the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 23:3
What does 2 Kings 23:3 mean?
Standing by the pillar, Josiah renews the covenant to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, and all the people join him.