2 Chronicles 22 12

2 Chronicles 22:12 kjv

And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

2 Chronicles 22:12 nkjv

And he was hidden with them in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.

2 Chronicles 22:12 niv

He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

2 Chronicles 22:12 esv

And he remained with them six years, hidden in the house of God, while Athaliah reigned over the land.

2 Chronicles 22:12 nlt

Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.

2 Chronicles 22 verses

2 Chronicles 22 12 Meaning

This verse details the preservation of the infant Joash, the last surviving heir of Judah's royal line, for six years within the very sacred space of the Lord's house. He was hidden by his aunt, Jehoshabeath, and his guardian, Jehoiada the priest, during the tumultuous reign of the usurper queen Athaliah. The verse underscores God's providential care in preserving the Davidic dynasty and the promise of a perpetual king from Judah, even when facing near extinction by human design. It highlights a period of hidden life, critical for future restoration.

2 Chronicles 22 12 Context

This verse occurs immediately following the brief and tragic reign of Ahaziah, who was king of Judah for only one year. Ahaziah was the son of Athaliah, the granddaughter of King Omri and daughter of Ahab and Jezebel of Israel, infamous for their Baal worship. Upon Ahaziah's death, his mother Athaliah, without regard for God's covenant or the Davidic line, brutally sought to eliminate all the remaining royal offspring, essentially wiping out her own descendants in pursuit of absolute power. This act was a direct attack on God's promise to David of a perpetual kingdom. However, Ahaziah's sister, Jehoshabeath (or Jehosheba in Kings), acted heroically by rescuing the infant Joash, Ahaziah's son, hiding him within the Temple, which was then overseen by her husband, Jehoiada the priest. This six-year period marks a critical hiatus in the direct Davidic rule, during which Athaliah, a worshiper of Baal, reigned as queen, but also highlights God's protective hand over His chosen lineage.

2 Chronicles 22 12 Word analysis

• And he was with her: The subject "he" refers to Joash, the infant son of King Ahaziah. "Her" refers to Jehoshabeath, Ahaziah's sister and the daughter of King Jehoram, who courageously saved the infant. This immediately indicates a close, protective relationship and action.
• in the house of the LORD: Hebrew: bêth Yahweh (בֵּית יְהוָה). This phrase specifies the location as the Temple in Jerusalem. Its sanctity and role as a place of refuge become central. It signifies God's protection in His own dwelling, indicating that the divine presence safeguards the future king. It is a place of sanctuary against the forces of wickedness embodied by Athaliah. The very structure built for divine worship becomes an unlikely, yet powerful, nursery and fortress.
• six years: This specific duration highlights a significant period of hiding, demonstrating both Athaliah's entrenched but illegitimate reign, and God's sustained, patient preservation. This duration allowed the child to grow from infancy, setting the stage for his dramatic reveal and coronation at the age of seven.
• hid with her: The Hebrew verb is nĕḥba' (נֶחְבָּא), meaning "to be hidden, concealed." This word choice emphasizes the clandestine and urgent nature of the act. The infant was not merely placed but "hidden" – an active concealment to avoid certain death. The collective act of Jehoshabeath and Jehoiada implies strategic, loving care. This hidden period is providentially ordained, ensuring the line of David continues unbeknownst to the usurper.
• and Athaliah reigned over the land: This clause, connected by "and" (wāw), juxtaposes the two realities: the hidden preservation of God's chosen heir, and the open, illegitimate rule of the usurper queen. Athaliah's reign signifies a dark period for Judah, characterized by idol worship (Baal) and tyranny. This contrast magnifies God's secret work amidst human chaos and wickedness, emphasizing His sovereignty even over wicked rulers. Her reign was one of opposition to the very essence of Judah's identity, linked to the Davidic covenant and the true God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he was with her in the house of the LORD": This grouping points to the sanctuary as the place of safety and divine custody for the rightful heir. It signifies the spiritual foundation for Joash's protection and future. The "house of the LORD" is not just a building but the very sphere of divine protection, a safe harbor against the storms of evil in the outside world.
• "six years, hid with her": This phrase emphasizes the prolonged, deliberate concealment. It underscores the severity of the threat (requiring such long hiding) and the enduring faithfulness of those who protected him (Jehoshabeath and Jehoiada), as well as God's watchful care during this vulnerable period. It shows the extent of divine patience and providence.
• "and Athaliah reigned over the land": This final clause highlights the usurper's power and provides the dramatic backdrop against which Joash's hidden life unfolds. It sets up the impending conflict between ungodly human authority and divine faithfulness manifested in the legitimate heir. The contrast serves to emphasize the providential miracle of Joash's survival despite Athaliah's brutal control.

2 Chronicles 22 12 Bonus section

The safeguarding of Joash within the Temple precincts by the priestly family of Jehoiada not only preserved the Davidic line but also highlights the vital role of the Levites and priests in upholding the spiritual and royal continuity of Israel. Their actions demonstrate profound faith and commitment to God's covenant promises, placing their lives at risk to protect the heir. This incident also serves as an indirect polemic against the corrupting influence of Baal worship (propagated by Athaliah and her Northern Kingdom heritage). The "house of the LORD" became the symbolic antithesis to Athaliah's idol temples, where the true heir was nurtured away from the rampant idolatry, preparing him for the restoration of faithful worship and legitimate rule. This contrasts sharply with how some of Israel's kings often desecrated the Temple or used it for personal gain, reinforcing the sacred duty and spiritual integrity of Jehoiada and Jehoshabeath.

2 Chronicles 22 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 22:12 reveals a crucial moment in the history of Judah, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with David, even when human actions threaten its very existence. Athaliah's ruthless slaughter of the royal seed was a direct challenge to God's promise of a perpetual king from David's line (2 Sam 7). Yet, in a testament to divine sovereignty, a single infant, Joash, was supernaturally preserved through the courage of his aunt, Jehoshabeath, and the piety of Jehoiada the priest, hidden within the sacred confines of the Temple. This hiding place was significant; the house of the LORD, a place of refuge, represented God's protective hand over His anointed. For six years, while Baal worship under Athaliah dominated the land, the rightful king was being nurtured in God's own house. This period, though dark for Judah, demonstrates God's patient endurance and meticulous planning. It illustrates that even when circumstances appear bleak and evil seems to triumph, God is silently working behind the scenes to fulfill His purposes. It foreshadows the preservation of a righteous remnant and ultimately, the coming of the true Son of David, the Messiah, whose life also involved periods of being hidden from enemies before His public manifestation (Mt 2:13-15).