2 Chronicles 23:10 kjv
And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
2 Chronicles 23:10 nkjv
Then he set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and by the temple, all around the king.
2 Chronicles 23:10 niv
He stationed all the men, each with his weapon in his hand, around the king?near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.
2 Chronicles 23:10 esv
And he set all the people as a guard for the king, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the south side of the house to the north side of the house, around the altar and the house.
2 Chronicles 23:10 nlt
He stationed all the people around the king, with their weapons ready. They formed a line from the south side of the Temple around to the north side and all around the altar.
2 Chronicles 23 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Ki 11:7-8 | Let two parts of you, all who come on duty on the Sabbath... form a guard... to the king. | Parallel account of security details for king. |
| 1 Chr 9:18-27 | ...doorkeepers for the tents of the Levites at the sanctuary... in charge of the treasuries of the house of God. | Levites responsible for temple security. |
| Num 3:38 | ...those encamping before the tabernacle on the east... keeping guard for the sons of Israel... | Levitical responsibility for guarding the sanctuary. |
| 1 Chr 23:28-32 | The duty of the Levites was to assist the sons of Aaron... charge of the holy things... all the service. | Broad duties of Levites include temple service and oversight. |
| Neh 13:9 | I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back there the vessels... | Zealous restoration of temple order. |
| Psa 121:7-8 | The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your soul... going out and coming in. | God's watchful protection, akin to the human guards. |
| Isa 42:6 | I am the Lord; I have called You in righteousness... keep You and give You as a covenant to the people... | God establishes and preserves His chosen king/servant. |
| Dan 4:17 | The Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whomever He wishes. | God's sovereignty over earthly kingship and its transfer. |
| Pro 28:15-16 | A roaring lion and a ranging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people... | Contrast with Athaliah's destructive rule and Joash's rightful claim. |
| 1 Sam 24:6 | The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed... | Reverence for God's anointed, even when flawed. |
| Psa 20:6 | Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him... with saving strength. | Divine protection for the Lord's anointed. |
| Psa 18:35 | Your right hand sustains me; Your gentleness makes me great. | God as the ultimate protector of His king. |
| Exo 20:24-25 | You shall make for Me an altar of earth... not build it of cut stones. | Refers to the sacred space of the altar, protected here. |
| Heb 12:28-29 | ...let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service... a consuming fire. | Importance of reverent service in God's presence. |
| Rom 13:1-2 | Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities... resisting has opposed the ordinance of God. | While advocating for authority, the overthrow here corrects a usurpation. |
| Gal 5:1 | It was for freedom that Christ set us free... not subject again to a yoke of slavery. | Echoes the liberation from oppressive rule. |
| Zec 4:6 | Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. | While armed, the ultimate success of Jehoiada's plan was divine. |
| Mat 21:12-13 | And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling... a den of robbers. | Zeal for the house of God, keeping it pure and sacred. |
| Isa 56:7 | ...their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; for My house will be called a house of prayer for all... | Importance of the temple as a place of true worship, being restored here. |
| Hag 2:9 | 'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says the Lord of hosts... | Prophetic hope for the temple, reinforced by its proper use. |
2 Chronicles 23 verses
2 Chronicles 23 10 Meaning
2 Chronicles 23:10 describes the meticulous security arrangements implemented by Jehoiada the priest during the coup that overthrew Queen Athaliah and installed the legitimate king, Joash, in Jerusalem. It signifies a strategic deployment of armed Levites and priests, ensuring a secure perimeter within the temple area, protecting both the sacred space and the rightful Davidic king during his coronation. This act restored divine order and fidelity to God's covenant within Judah.
2 Chronicles 23 10 Context
2 Chronicles 23:10 is set amidst a pivotal moment in Judah's history: the overthrow of the tyrannical Queen Athaliah, who had seized the throne after the death of her son Ahaziah and had systematically eliminated all royal heirs, except for the infant Joash, who was secretly rescued by Jehoiada the priest and his wife Jehoshabeath. For six years, Joash was hidden within the temple. This verse describes a crucial element of Jehoiada's meticulously planned coup to restore the rightful Davidic king. The broader chapter details Jehoiada gathering the Levites, priests, and chief men from all Judah, making a covenant with them, and revealing Joash. The action described in verse 10 is the strategic stationing of armed guards around the sacred temple precinct, protecting the young king who was to be publicly presented and crowned there. This context highlights the tension between illegitimate rule and God's covenant faithfulness to the Davidic line, with the temple serving as the stage for this divine intervention and restoration.
2 Chronicles 23 10 Word analysis
- And he set: Transliteration:
וַיַּעֲמֵד(va-ya'amod). Root:עָמַד(amad), meaning "to stand," "to establish," "to appoint." This emphasizes Jehoiada's decisive and authoritative action, reflecting his role as the orchestrator of the entire operation and a man acting under divine authority to restore proper order. It shows leadership and deliberate placement. - all the people: This refers to the armed contingents assembled by Jehoiada—Levites, priests, and possibly some faithful soldiers from Judah's cities—who had entered into the covenant to support Joash. It highlights a unified effort of faithful individuals committed to God's law and the legitimate monarchy.
- every man with his weapon: Transliteration:
אִישׁ כְּלִיּוֹ(ish k'liyo).כְּלִי(k'li) means "vessel," "instrument," "weapon." This specifies the armed nature of the gathered men, indicating preparation for a military or security operation. It underscores the danger of the situation and the necessity of force to restore order. - from the right side of the house to the left side of the house: Transliteration:
לְמַן הַכָּתֵף הַיְמָנִית לְכָתֵף הַשְּׂמָאלִית(lemin ha-katef ha-yemanit l'katef ha-s'malit).כָּתֵף(katef) literally means "shoulder" but here refers to a "flank," "wing," or "side." This imagery portrays a complete and encompassing protective cordon around the temple and the king, a solid, unbroken line of defense. - by the altar and the house: Transliteration:
לַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְלַבַּיִת(la-mizbeach v'la-bayit).מִזְבֵּחַ(mizbeach) is "altar,"בַּיִת(bayit) is "house" (referring to the Temple building itself). This indicates that the strategic position of the guards was precisely in the most sacred parts of the temple complex: around the great altar of burnt offering and the holy Temple structure, emphasizing the sacredness of the event and the protection of holy space. It subtly polemicizes against any defilement of the Temple that Athaliah's reign may have permitted by emphasizing its sanctity. - by the king, all around: Transliteration:
עַל הַמֶּלֶךְ סָבִיב(al ha-melech saviv).עַל(al) means "upon" or "by/over,"סָבִיב(saviv) means "around." This re-emphasizes the primary purpose of the deployment: the direct and absolute protection of the young king Joash, forming an unbreakable human shield. This detail highlights the vulnerable position of Joash and the total commitment to his safety as the rightful heir.
2 Chronicles 23 10 Bonus section
The highly detailed deployment described in this verse demonstrates Jehoiada's profound understanding of both military tactics and theological symbolism. By stationing the Levites and priests—who were usually responsible for temple duties and less for military engagement—fully armed within the sacred precincts, he achieved multiple objectives. First, it leveraged the spiritual authority and trust the people held for the Levites. Second, it infused the political coup with religious legitimacy, framing it as a divinely sanctioned act rather than mere rebellion. Third, the temple, ordinarily a place of peace, became a secure command center for the reestablishment of righteous rule, showcasing the truth that God's house stands against lawlessness. This act of safeguarding the young king within the "house of the Lord" reinforced the sanctity of the Davidic covenant and provided a clear visual demonstration of God's protective presence over His chosen monarch.
2 Chronicles 23 10 Commentary
2 Chronicles 23:10 is a testament to the meticulous planning and divine zeal characterizing Jehoiada's coup against Queen Athaliah. The precise detailing of the guard positions – "every man with his weapon, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, by the altar and the house, by the king, all around" – highlights the extreme caution and strategic acumen employed. This wasn't merely a show of force but a disciplined encirclement by those consecrated to God (the Levites and priests), transforming the sacred Temple into an unassailable fortress for the Lord’s anointed. This specific location, near the altar and the main Temple building, not only maximized security but also underscored the spiritual legitimacy of Joash's enthronement, aligning it with the sacred rituals of God's house and effectively reclaiming the Temple from any potential profane use or foreign influence during Athaliah's reign. The guards formed a living covenant, signifying both a human protective shield and a visible demonstration of God's watchful care over His covenant people and the Davidic line, restoring integrity to both crown and altar in Judah.