Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 34:2
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler introduces Josiah as an eight-year-old king who reigns thirty-one years in Jerusalem. This verse functions as a formal biographical header marking the start of his royal career.
The words — וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ הַ/יָּשָׁ֖ר (va/i.Ya.'as hai./ya.Shar) literally translates to “and he did the right,” stating Josiah’s alignment with divine expectation. The verb וַ/יֵּ֗לֶךְ (va/i.Ye.lekh) means “and he walked,” describing his sustained movement along a designated path.
The thread — The text places this assessment alongside the chronicler’s identical phrasing for Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 29:2 and the Deuteronomic prohibition in Deuteronomy 5:32 against turning to the right or left. Joshua 1:7 similarly links steadfast leadership to strict law observance.
Why it lands — The passage states that Judah’s kingship is validated only by unswerving adherence to Yahweh’s standards and Davidic precedent. It requires a reader to measure leadership by consistent obedience rather than ceremonial display.
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 he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 29:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.
- Joshua 1:7 Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.
- Deuteronomy 5:32 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.
- Deuteronomy 28:14 Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from any of the words I command you today, and do not go after other gods to serve them.
- Joshua 23:6 Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left.
- 1 Kings 14:8 I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes.
- 1 Kings 15:5 For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
- 2 Chronicles 14:2 And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
- 2 Chronicles 17:3 Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals,
- Deuteronomy 17:11 according to the terms of law they give and the verdict they proclaim. Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from the decision they declare to you.