2 Chronicles 34:14

A book of the law—given by Moses— See note on 2 Kings 22:8. The word given is not in the Hebrew. It is literally, A book of the law of Jehovah, by the hand of Moses. It is scarcely possible for words more naturally to describe a book written by Moses himself, or to vouch more fully that the manuscript of the law at this time found was in the hand-writing of Moses: and though there are fifteen places in the Old Testament (Joshua 8:31. 1 Kings 2:3. 2 Kings 14:6; 2 Kings 23:25. 2 Chronicles 23:18; 2 Chronicles 25:4; 2 Chronicles 30:16; 2 Chronicles 35:12.Ezra 3:2; Ezra 6:18. Nehemiah 13:1. Daniel 11:13 and Malachi 4:4.) which contain the words, law of Moses, and book of Moses; yet this one place only mentions the book of the law in the hand or by the hand of Moses: the reason of which seems to be, that the other places speak of that law in general, but this place speaks of one particular manuscript, namely, the original. As to the point of age, this manuscript might certainly be the original, distance of time leaving it very possible; for the most extended chronology does not make the interval from the death of Moses to the death of Josiah, 950 years; an age exceeded by that of several manuscripts preserved at this day. Kennicott's Diss. vol. 2: p. 299.