New International Version“Leave it alone,” he said. “Don’t let anyone disturb his bones.” So they spared his bones and those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
New Living TranslationJosiah replied, “Leave it alone. Don’t disturb his bones.” So they did not burn his bones or those of the old prophet from Samaria.
English Standard VersionAnd he said, “Let him be; let no man move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.
Berean Standard Bible“Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
King James BibleAnd he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
New King James VersionAnd he said, “Let him alone; let no one move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
New American Standard BibleAnd he said, “Leave him alone; no one is to disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
NASB 1995He said, “Let him alone; let no one disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
NASB 1977And he said, “Let him alone; let no one disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd he said, “Let him alone; let no one move his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
Amplified BibleHe said, “Let him alone; let no one disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
Christian Standard BibleSo he said, “Let him rest. Don’t let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
Holman Christian Standard BibleSo he said, “Let him rest. Don’t let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.
American Standard VersionAnd he said, Let him be; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
Contemporary English VersionJosiah replied, "Then leave it alone. Don't dig up his bones." So they did not disturb his bones or the bones of the old prophet from Israel who had also been buried there.
English Revised VersionAnd he said, Let him be; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSo Josiah said, "Let him rest. Don't disturb his bones." So they left his bones with the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
Good News Translation"Leave it as it is," Josiah ordered. "His bones are not to be moved." So his bones were not moved, neither were those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
International Standard VersionJosiah replied, "Leave him alone. No one is to disturb his bones." So they preserved his bones undisturbed, along with the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
NET BibleThe king said, "Leave it alone! No one must touch his bones." So they left his bones undisturbed, as well as the bones of the Israelite prophet buried beside him.
New Heart English BibleHe said, "Let him be. Let no man move his bones." So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
World English BibleHe said, “Let him be! Let no one move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he says, “Leave him alone, let no man touch his bones”; and they let his bones escape with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.
Young's Literal Translation And he saith, 'Let him alone, let no man touch his bones;' and they let his bones escape, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will say, Give rest to him; a man shall not move his bones; and they will let escape his bones and the bones of the prophet who came from Shomeron. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said: Let him alone, let no man move his bones. So his bones were left untouched with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd he said: “Permit him. Let no one move his bones.” And his bones have remained untouched, with the bones of the prophet who had arrived from Samaria.
New American Bible“Let him be,” he said, “let no one move his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed together with the bones of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
New Revised Standard VersionHe said, “Let him rest; let no one move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said, Let him alone; let no man touch his sepulchre, and let no man move his bones, so the bones of the prophet of God spared the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria from being burned.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he said: “Leave him! Do not let a man come to the tomb, and no man shall move his bones!” And they saved his bones, the bones of the Prophet who came from Samaria. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said: 'Let him be; let no man move his bones.' So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd he said, Let him alone; let no one disturb his bones. So his bones were spared, together with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Josiah Destroys Idolatry… 17Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?” And the men of the city replied, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and pronounced these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel.” 18“Let him rest,”said Josiah.“Do notlet anyonedisturbhis bones.”So they left his bonesundisturbed,along with thoseof the prophetwhohad comefrom Samaria.19Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger.…
Cross References 2 Chronicles 34:5Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 34:7He tore down the altars and Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 34:33And 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.
1 Kings 13:2And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”
1 Kings 13:31-32After he had buried him, the prophet said to his sons, “When I die, you must bury me in the tomb where the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones, / for the message that he cried out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel and against all the shrines on the high places in the cities of Samaria will surely come to pass.”
Jeremiah 1:1-2These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. / The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,
Jeremiah 3:6-10Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. / I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. / She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. ...
Jeremiah 7:30-34For the people of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it. / They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind. / So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place will no longer be called Topheth and the Valley of Ben-hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter. For they will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room. ...
Jeremiah 8:1-2“At that time,” declares the LORD, “the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of the officials, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be removed from their graves. / They will be exposed to the sun and moon, and to all the host of heaven which they have loved, served, followed, consulted, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered up or buried, but will become like dung lying on the ground.
Jeremiah 26:18“Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and told all the people of Judah that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.’
Matthew 23:29-32Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. / And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ / So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. ...
Matthew 27:52-53The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. / After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.
Luke 11:47-48Woe to you! For you build tombs for the prophets, but it was your fathers who killed them. / So you are witnesses consenting to the deeds of your fathers: They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.
Luke 19:44They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.”
John 4:20-24Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.” / “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ...
Treasury of Scripture And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria. alone. 1 Kings 13:1-22,31 And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense… Jump to Previous AloneBonesDisturbEscapeLeaveMoveMovedProphetSamariaSama'riaSavedSparedTouchUndisturbedJump to Next AloneBonesDisturbEscapeLeaveMoveMovedProphetSamariaSama'riaSavedSparedTouchUndisturbed2 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.“Let him rest,” said Josiah.Josiah, the king of Judah, is known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh. His command to let the bones rest reflects his respect for the prophets and the sacredness of their mission. This action aligns with Josiah's commitment to purging idolatry and honoring true worship, as seen in his broader reforms ( 2 Kings 23:4-25). “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.”
This phrase underscores the importance of respecting the dead, particularly those who served God faithfully. In ancient Israel, disturbing graves was considered a serious offense, as it violated the sanctity of the deceased. Josiah's directive may also reflect a belief in the future resurrection, a theme that appears in later Jewish thought and is echoed in Christian teachings about the resurrection of the dead (Daniel 12:2,John 5:28-29). So they left his bones undisturbed,
The obedience to Josiah's command indicates the respect and authority he held as king. It also highlights the fulfillment of the prophecy given in1 Kings 13:2, where a man of God from Judah prophesied against the altar at Bethel, predicting Josiah's actions. This fulfillment of prophecy serves as a testament to the reliability of God's word. along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
The prophet from Samaria refers to the man of God who had earlier prophesied against the altar at Bethel (1 Kings 13:1-32). His inclusion in the narrative emphasizes the unity of God's message across the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience, as this prophet was deceived and met an untimely death, yet his bones were honored due to his initial faithfulness. This act of leaving the bones undisturbed can be seen as a type of Christ, who was also a prophet not fully recognized in His time but honored posthumously. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. 2. The Prophet from JudahA man of God who had previously prophesied against the altar at Bethel, as recorded in 1 Kings 13. 3. The Prophet from SamariaA prophet who had come from Samaria and was buried alongside the prophet from Judah. 4. BethelA significant religious site in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where Jeroboam had set up a golden calf. 5. Josiah's ReformsThe religious reforms led by King Josiah, which included the destruction of idolatrous sites and the restoration of true worship. Teaching Points Respect for God's ServantsJosiah's command to leave the bones of the prophets undisturbed shows respect for those who faithfully served God, even after their death. Fulfillment of ProphecyThe preservation of the prophets' bones fulfills the prophecy given in 1 Kings 13, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His word. The Importance of True WorshipJosiah's reforms emphasize the need to worship God in truth, removing any form of idolatry or false worship. Legacy of FaithfulnessThe account encourages believers to leave a legacy of faithfulness that honors God and impacts future generations. God's Sovereignty in HistoryThe events surrounding Josiah's reforms remind us of God's sovereign control over history and His ability to bring about His purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 2 Kings 23:18?
2.How does 2 Kings 23:18 demonstrate respect for the faithful servants of God?
3.What can we learn about honoring past leaders from 2 Kings 23:18?
4.How does this verse connect with honoring the righteous in Hebrews 11?
5.How can we apply the respect shown in 2 Kings 23:18 today?
6.What does 2 Kings 23:18 teach about preserving the legacy of godly leaders?
7.Why was the prophet's grave left undisturbed in 2 Kings 23:18?
8.How does 2 Kings 23:18 reflect on the respect for God's messengers?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in 2 Kings 23:18?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 23?
11.If animal sacrifices were central (Leviticus 17), why does archaeological evidence not consistently support such frequent rituals across the entire region?
12.Why do 2 Chronicles 35 and 2 Kings 23 differ in their accounts of Josiah's death, raising questions about the actual historical events?
13.Why does 2 Kings 23:25 suggest Josiah surpassed even David in devotion, seemingly contradicting other texts that exalt David's faithfulness?
14.What are the key events in 2 Kings?What Does 2 Kings 23:18 Mean “Let him rest,” said Josiah• Setting: King Josiah is purging Judah of idolatry (2 Kings 23:15–17). While dismantling the altar at Bethel he notices a tomb—identified as that of “the man of God who proclaimed these things” long before (1 Kings 13:2, 32). • Josiah’s words show reverence for God’s faithful servant whose prophecy has just come true before his eyes (2 Kings 23:16). • Respecting the dead who served the LORD reflects the command to honor those who speak His word (Hebrews 13:7;1 Thessalonians 5:12–13).
“Do not let anyone disturb his bones.”• Josiah orders protection of the tomb, treating it as sacred testimony that God keeps His word (Psalm 105:15;Isaiah 44:26). • Disturbing bones was associated with desecration (Amos 2:1). By forbidding it, Josiah guards against impiety and underscores the seriousness of fulfilled prophecy. • The directive mirrors earlier examples where bones were preserved as a witness to future generations (Genesis 50:25;Joshua 24:32).
“So they left his bones undisturbed”• Immediate obedience follows the king’s command, illustrating that honoring God’s messengers outweighs zeal for reform (Ecclesiastes 8:2–5;James 2:17). • Leaving the tomb intact also prevents mixing the prophet’s remains with the ashes of idolatrous altars, preserving a clear distinction between faithful worship and paganism (2 Kings 23:4;2 Chronicles 34:5).
“Along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.”• The old prophet from Samaria who had buried the man of God (1 Kings 13:11–31) rests beside him; Josiah spares both graves. • Their shared burial site testifies that—even amid earlier failure—the old prophet ultimately honored the word of the LORD (1 Kings 13:30). • By leaving both graves untouched, Josiah silently acknowledges God’s sovereignty over both Judah and the former northern kingdom (Hosea 1:11;Ezekiel 37:22).
summary2 Kings 23:18 shows Josiah pausing his zealous reforms to honor the remains of two prophets whose lives—despite human frailty—validated God’s unbreakable word. The king’s respectful command and the people’s immediate compliance highlight the importance of remembering and preserving testimonies of divine faithfulness, reinforcing that true reform is always anchored in reverence for the LORD and for those who proclaimed His truth. (18) Let him alone.--Or, Let him rest.So they let his bones alone.--A different verb.And they suffered his bones to escape, scil., disturbance. With the bones of the prophet . . .--See1Kings 13:31-32. That came out of Samaria.--This simply designates the old prophet who deceived the Judaean man of God, as a citizen of the Northern kingdom, which was called Samaria, after its capital. Verse 18. - And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. Josiah remembered the circumstances when they were recalled to him, and, in order to show honor to the "man of God" ( 1 Kings 13, passim), commanded that his tomb should be undisturbed. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria; i.e. with the bones of the Israelite prophet, who had taken care to be buried with him. The reference is to 1 Kings 13:31.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew “Let him rest,”הַנִּ֣יחוּ(han·nî·ḥū)Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3240:Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place,said [Josiah].וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notlet anyoneאִ֖ישׁ(’îš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376:A man as an individual, a male persondisturbיָנַ֣ע(yā·na‘)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5128:To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totterhis bones.”עַצְמֹתָ֑יו(‘aṣ·mō·ṯāw)Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6106:A bone, the body, the substance, selfsameSo they left his bonesעַצְמֹתָ֔יו(‘aṣ·mō·ṯāw)Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6106:A bone, the body, the substance, selfsameundisturbed,וַֽיְמַלְּטוּ֙(way·mal·lə·ṭū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4422:To be smooth, to escape, to release, rescue, to bring forth young, emit sparksalong with thoseעַצְמ֣וֹת(‘aṣ·mō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6106:A bone, the body, the substance, selfsameof the prophetהַנָּבִ֔יא(han·nā·ḇî)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030:A spokesman, speaker, prophetwhoאֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thathad comeבָּ֖א(bā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gofrom Samaria.מִשֹּׁמְרֽוֹן׃(miš·šō·mə·rō·wn)Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8111:Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel
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OT History: 2 Kings 23:18 He said Let him be (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
