Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 34:19
When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The king hears the words of the Law read aloud by Shaphan the scribe in the presence of Hilkiah the priest and other court officials. This occurs immediately after the discovery and public reading of the book found in the temple.
The words — `וַ/יִּקְרַ֖ע` (va/i.yik.Ra') = and/ he tore, paired with `דִּבְרֵ֣י הַ/תּוֹרָ֑ה` (div.Rei ha./to.Rah) = [the] words of the/ law, marks the physical rupture following the auditory reception of divine instruction.
The thread — Tearing clothes appears as a documented reaction to grave spiritual or national crisis in Joshua 7:6 and 2 Kings 19:1. These parallels establish the gesture as a standard biblical response to perceived covenant failure or impending judgment.
Why it lands — The text states the king tore his clothes upon hearing the Law, documenting a visceral reaction to divine revelation. It asks the reader to acknowledge the immediate, unmediated impact of Scripture on human authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
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.
- Deuteronomy 28:3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
- 2 Kings 19:1 On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.
- 2 Kings 22:11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes
- 2 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.
- Jeremiah 36:22 Since it was the ninth month, the king was sitting in his winter quarters with a fire burning before him.
- Joel 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.
- 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.
- Romans 7:7 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.”
- Galatians 2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.