2 Kings 22:18

But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard,

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The speaker delivers a divine message to the messengers sent by the king of Judah to inquire of the LORD. This occurs between declarations of impending judgment for idolatry and the promise of mercy for the king's humility.

The words — The Hebrew לִדְרֹשׁ (lidrosh) literally means "to consult" or "to inquire," capturing the king's request for divine guidance. It is paired with אֶת־יְהוָה (et-Yahweh), specifying the act of seeking Yahweh as the God of Israel.

The thread — This inquiry motif runs directly into the king's humble response in 2 Kings 22:19 and mirrors the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 34:26. It also aligns with the pattern of God listening to those who fear Him in Malachi 3:16.

Why it lands — The text establishes that divine inquiry precedes divine judgment, making the king's humility the pivot between wrath and relief. It requires the reader to acknowledge that seeking God's word initiates the process that determines whether judgment or mercy follows.

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

וְאֶל־ve./'el-and/ to מֶ֣לֶךְMe.lekh[the] king of יְהוּדָ֗הye.hu.DahJudah הַשֹּׁלֵ֤חַha./sho.Le.achwho/ sent אֶתְכֶם֙'et./Khem<obj.>/ you לִדְרֹ֣שׁli/d.Roshto/ consult אֶת־'et-<obj.>יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh כֹּ֥הkohthus תֹאמְר֖וּto.me.Ruyou will say אֵלָ֑יו'e.La/vto/ him כֹּֽה־koh-thus אָמַ֤ר'a.Marhe says יְהוָה֙Yah.wehYahweh אֱלֹהֵ֣י'e.lo.Hei[the] God of יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElIsrael הַדְּבָרִ֖יםha./de.va.Rimthe/ words אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sherwhich שָׁמָֽעְתָּ׃sha.Ma.'e.tayou have heard

King James Version

But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the Lord, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;

Cross-references

2 Chronicles 34:26 But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard,
Isaiah 3:10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Malachi 3:16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.