2 Chronicles 23 11

2 Chronicles 23:11 kjv

Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.

2 Chronicles 23:11 nkjv

And they brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, gave him the Testimony, and made him king. Then Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, "Long live the king!"

2 Chronicles 23:11 niv

Jehoiada and his sons brought out the king's son and put the crown on him; they presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him and shouted, "Long live the king!"

2 Chronicles 23:11 esv

Then they brought out the king's son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they said, "Long live the king."

2 Chronicles 23:11 nlt

Then Jehoiada and his sons brought out Joash, the king's son, placed the crown on his head, and presented him with a copy of God's laws. They anointed him and proclaimed him king, and everyone shouted, "Long live the king!"

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 11 Meaning

In 2 Chronicles 23:11, the high priest Jehoiada, assisted by his sons, ceremonially installs Joash as king in the temple. This sacred act involved three key components: placing a crown upon his head, presenting him with "the testimony" (likely a scroll of the law or a royal decree), and anointing him with oil. This solemn ritual marked the transfer of divine authority and confirmed Joash's legitimate rule as the rightful heir of the Davidic covenant, followed by the joyous acclamation of the people, "Long live the king!" This act decisively countered Athaliah's usurpation and idolatry by reinstating the legitimate Davidic line and covenant worship.

2 Chronicles 23 11 Context

The events of 2 Chronicles 23:11 occur during a pivotal moment in Judah's history. After the death of King Ahaziah, his mother Athaliah—daughter of the wicked King Ahab and Jezebel of Israel—unleashed a ruthless purge, attempting to exterminate all potential heirs to the Davidic throne. However, the infant Joash, Ahaziah's son, was secretly rescued by his aunt Jehosheba (sister of Ahaziah and wife of Jehoiada the priest) and hidden in the temple for six years (2 Chron 22:10-12).

Jehoiada, the high priest, carefully orchestrated a coup d'état during Athaliah's reign. He strategically gathered the Levites and heads of families throughout Judah, ensuring loyal support. The ceremony itself takes place within the confines of the temple, underscoring the spiritual and divine legitimacy of Joash's kingship, in direct contrast to Athaliah's ungodly and idolatrous rule. This anointing of Joash re-establishes the legitimate Davidic line and signifies the return to a proper covenant relationship with God after a period of widespread apostasy and Baal worship, actively countering the polemical influence of the Omride dynasty's idolatry introduced through Athaliah.

2 Chronicles 23 11 Word analysis

• Then Jehoiada and his sons:
  • Jehoiada: (יְהוֹיָדָע, Yehowyadaʿ) - "Yahweh knows." The high priest, pivotal figure in preserving the Davidic line and orchestrating the covenant-based restoration. His leadership embodies faith and commitment to God's promises amidst a period of political and spiritual darkness. His authority as high priest lends immense religious weight to the anointing.
  • his sons: Implies active participation and support, lending further legitimacy and continuity through the priestly lineage. They are involved in this sacred, highly significant act.
• brought out the king's son:
  • king's son: (בֶן־הַמֶּלֶךְ, ben-hammelech) - Specifically refers to Joash, the sole surviving legitimate heir of the Davidic lineage, previously hidden to protect him from Athaliah's purge. This phrase emphasizes his royal identity and rightful claim to the throne.
• and put the crown on him:
  • crown: (נֵזֶר, nezer) - This term signifies royalty, separation, dedication, and sacred consecration. It represents the symbol of kingship and the king's authority derived from God, not merely human election. In a broader biblical context, the "nezer" also refers to the high priest's consecration (Exod 29:6) and the Nazirite vow of separation, highlighting the sacred, dedicated nature of the kingship. Placing the crown officially bestowed royal authority.
• and presented him with the testimony:
  • testimony: (הָעֵדוּת, ha'edut) - This is a highly significant term. While it can broadly refer to a witness or decree, in the context of royal enthronement and the temple, it most likely signifies the "Law" or "Covenant" given by God (e.g., Deut 17:18-20, where a king is to keep a copy of the law). It underscores that the king's authority is not absolute but bound by God's commands and covenant. It reminds the king of his foundational duty to uphold divine law. Some scholars suggest it might refer to an anointing-formula scroll, a copy of the Deuteronomic law given at coronation, or a symbolic royal charter outlining the king's obligations. Its presentation implies Joash's duty to govern according to God's righteous standards.
• They anointed him:
  • anointed: (וַיִּמְשְׁחוּ, vayyimshěkhu) - The ritual act of pouring sacred oil upon the king. This act symbolized divine selection, empowerment by God's Spirit, and dedication to his royal office. Anointing differentiated a legitimate king, divinely chosen and endowed for his task, from an illegitimate usurper. This act formally consecrated Joash to his divinely ordained role.
• and said, "Long live the king!":
  • Long live the king!: (יְחִי הַמֶּלֶךְ, Yeḥî hammeleḵ!) - A standard acclamation or shout of allegiance and loyalty to the new monarch. This public declaration served to acknowledge and legitimate the king's reign among the people. It solidified his claim and invited public obedience, echoing ancient Near Eastern and biblical traditions for public endorsement of a new sovereign.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "put the crown on him and presented him with the testimony": These two actions together symbolize the nature of biblical kingship. It's not just about worldly power (crown) but also divine mandate and accountability to God's law (testimony). The crown represents royal dignity; the testimony, divine governance and righteousness.
• "put the crown on him and presented him with the testimony. They anointed him": This sequence encapsulates the three core components of enthronement for Israelite kings: donning royal regalia (crown), receiving the divine law (testimony), and receiving divine consecration (anointing). These acts establish legitimacy rooted in both covenant and sacred ritual, signifying the unique nature of Israelite monarchy under God.

2 Chronicles 23 11 Bonus section

• The timing of this enthronement ceremony, being within the temple courts and guarded by Levites and priests, signifies the centrality of God and His worship in the re-establishment of the kingdom. It underscored that the coup was not merely political but profoundly spiritual, a reassertion of YHWH's sovereignty.
• The parallel account in 2 Kgs 11:12 mentions "the royal emblem" instead of "testimony," highlighting different emphases. However, biblical scholars largely agree that both terms likely refer to a foundational legal or covenant document that was binding upon the king, often interpreted as a copy of the Law or a special royal covenant scroll.
• Joash, being a young boy (seven years old at the time, 2 Chron 24:1), further highlights that his kingship was by divine right and through the actions of the faithful, rather than his own capabilities. His anointing thus symbolizes a commitment to upholding the covenant despite the king's personal age or capacity.
• This act stands as a powerful testament to God's covenant faithfulness to David (2 Sam 7), ensuring that a lamp always remained for his dynasty, even when threatened by seemingly insurmountable evil.

2 Chronicles 23 11 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:11 describes the pivotal moment when the legitimate Davidic kingship was restored in Judah after six years of illegitimate rule by Athaliah. The high priest Jehoiada, acting with divine authority and steadfast faith in God's covenant with David, performs a highly symbolic and sacred coronation ceremony in the temple. The three key elements—the crown, the testimony, and the anointing—were not mere formalities but profoundly significant acts. The crown bestowed royal authority and dignity, establishing Joash as the rightful sovereign. The presentation of "the testimony" served as a powerful reminder that the king's rule was always subservient to God's Law and covenant, holding him accountable to divine standards rather than arbitrary will. The anointing, through the sacred oil, signified divine election and empowerment by God's Spirit for the daunting task of leading the nation righteously. This threefold action, culminated by the people's enthusiastic acclamation, underscored the divine basis of the Davidic throne and God's faithfulness to His promises, directly countering the pagan influence and usurpation of Athaliah. This verse speaks to the ultimate triumph of God's covenant over human evil and the necessity of rightful leadership being founded on divine principles.