2 Kings 23:18 net — The king said,“Leave it alone! No one must touch his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, as well as the bones o…

NET Bible

"The 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."

— 2 Kings 23:18, NET Bible

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2 Kings 23:18 in Other Translations

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2 Kings 23 — Context

15

He also tore down the altar in Bethel at the high place made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who encouraged Israel to sin. He burned all the combustible items at that high place and crushed them to dust; including the Asherah pole.

16

When Josiah turned around, he saw the tombs there on the hill. So he ordered the bones from the tombs to be brought; he burned them on the altar and defiled it, just as in the LORD’s message that was announced by the prophet while Jeroboam stood by the altar during a festival. Then the king turned and saw the grave of the prophet who had foretold this.

17

He asked,“What is this grave marker I see?” The men from the city replied,“It’s the grave of the prophet who came from Judah and foretold these very things you have done to the altar of Bethel.”

18

The 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.

19

Josiah also removed all the shrines on the high places in the cities of Samaria. The kings of Israel had made them and angered the LORD. He did to them what he had done to the high place in Bethel.

20

He sacrificed all the priests of the high places on the altars located there, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

21

The king ordered all the people,“Observe the Passover of the LORD your God, as prescribed in this scroll of the covenant.”

2 Kings 23:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Kings 23:18 say?
2 Kings 23:18 in the NET Bible reads: “The 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.”
Where is 2 Kings 23:18 in the Bible?
2 Kings 23:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Kings, chapter 23, verse 18.
Who wrote 2 Kings?
2 Kings is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Jeremiah). It was written c. 561–538 BC.
What is the book of 2 Kings about?
2 Kings carries the divided kingdom from Elijah and Elisha through the fall of both Israel and Judah. Despite the prophets' warnings, both kingdoms decline through idolatry — the north into Assyrian captivity, the south into Babylonian exile — fulfilling the covenant curses.
What are the major themes of 2 Kings?
2 Kings explores themes including Judgment, Exile, Prophets, Covenant Curses, Remnant. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Kings 23:18.
What translation should I read 2 Kings 23:18 in?
2 Kings 23:18 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Kings 23:18?
2 Kings 23:18 reads (NET): “The 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.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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