2 Chronicles 23 14

2 Chronicles 23:14 kjv

Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 23:14 nkjv

And Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, "Take her outside under guard, and slay with the sword whoever follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not kill her in the house of the LORD."

2 Chronicles 23:14 niv

Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: "Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not put her to death at the temple of the LORD."

2 Chronicles 23:14 esv

Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains who were set over the army, saying to them, "Bring her out between the ranks, and anyone who follows her is to be put to death with the sword." For the priest said, "Do not put her to death in the house of the LORD."

2 Chronicles 23:14 nlt

Then Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders who were in charge of the troops, "Take her to the soldiers in front of the Temple, and kill anyone who tries to rescue her." For the priest had said, "She must not be killed in the Temple of the LORD."

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 14 Meaning

2 Chronicles 23:14 details High Priest Jehoiada's decisive command regarding Queen Athaliah's removal and execution. He instructs the military commanders to escort Athaliah out from the sacred temple precincts and kill her between the ranks of the soldiers, emphasizing that anyone who attempts to aid or follow her must also be put to death. The central point of the instruction is the strict prohibition against killing her within the house of the Lord, underscoring the absolute sanctity of the Temple. This action was crucial for cleansing the kingdom both politically by restoring the legitimate Davidic line and ritually by preventing further defilement of God's sanctuary.

2 Chronicles 23 14 Context

2 Chronicles chapter 23 recounts the meticulous and divinely orchestrated coup led by Jehoiada the priest to overthrow Athaliah, the wicked queen who had usurped the throne of Judah for six years and tried to annihilate the Davidic royal line. Athaliah, daughter of the notorious King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, had brought the idolatry of Baal worship into Judah's royal family. Jehoiada had secretly preserved Joash, the sole surviving heir of the Davidic dynasty, and at seven years old, Joash was brought forth to be crowned king. Verse 14 falls at the climax of this strategic operation, immediately after Joash has been publicly revealed and acclaimed king. Athaliah's presence in the sacred temple precincts, where she had entered amidst the shouts of acclamation, was an affront. Jehoiada's instruction reflects not only the necessary political action of removing a usurper but also a deep reverence for the purity of God's house, preventing its defilement by a state execution. The swiftness and severity of the command underscore the urgency and sanctity of restoring legitimate worship and righteous rule in Judah.

2 Chronicles 23 14 Word analysis

• And Jehoiada the priest: יְהוֹיָדָע (Yehoyada) - "the Lord knows." He was the High Priest and chief architect of the coup, a figure of great religious and political authority. His name signifies divine knowledge and purpose, fitting for one who guarded the covenant and preserved the Davidic line. He represents faithful, decisive leadership.
• brought out: יוֹצִיא (yotsi', Hiphil imperfect of יָצָא, yatsa' "to go out") - It implies commanding or causing others to bring her out. Jehoiada is issuing the directive from a position of ultimate authority in this context.
• the captains of hundreds: שָׂרֵי הַמֵּאוֹת (sarei hamm'ot) - Military officers responsible for 100 men. This indicates a disciplined, organized, and effective military force executing the command, reflecting careful planning and control.
• that were set over the host: Literally, "the commanders of the army." They were the designated authority within the military, highlighting the formal and legitimate nature of Jehoiada's orders within the established structure.
• and said to them, 'Bring her out': הוֹצִיאוּהָ (hotsiuha, Hiphil imperative of יָצָא, yatsa') - A direct, authoritative command to remove her from the Temple. This action removes her physically and symbolically from a position of power and sacrilege.
• between the ranks: בֵּין הַשְּׂדֵרוֹת (ben haśśederot) - Literally "between the rows." This specifies the execution method, suggesting a controlled, disciplined escort through a line of soldiers to ensure no escape or disruption. It highlights the orderliness and precision of the purge, distinct from mob justice.
• and whoever follows her: הַבָּא אַחֲרֶיהָ (habba' achareyha) - Literally "whoever comes after her." This refers to anyone attempting to aid, protect, or support Athaliah, indicating a zero-tolerance policy for sedition or complicity with the usurper.
• kill him with the sword: הָמִיתוּ (hamitu, Hiphil imperative of מוּת, mut "to die") בַּחֶרֶב (bacherev "by sword") - A firm, unambiguous command for capital punishment by sword, the standard method for executing criminals, traitors, and enemies of the state in that era. It signifies severe and decisive justice against threats to God's established order.
• For the priest had said: "Ki amar hakohen." This emphasizes Jehoiada's consistent directive and his authority throughout the entire process, framing the immediate command as part of his broader, fundamental instruction.
• 'Do not kill her in the house of the Lord': אַל תָּמִיתוּהָ בְּבֵית יְהוָה (al tamituha bevet YHWH) - The absolute core of the instruction. It is a strict prohibition reflecting the profound sanctity of the Temple. The execution of a wicked person, even a usurper, was considered ritually defiling to the sacred space of God's dwelling, a concept understood from the Mosaic Law. This demonstrates Jehoiada's unwavering commitment to purity and reverence for God's presence, overriding any convenience.

Words-group analysis

• "Bring her out between the ranks": This phrase details the method of removing Athaliah. It signifies an orderly, controlled, and public process, ensuring her complete isolation from any potential allies and preventing chaotic pursuit. The military formation also projects authority and might.
• "whoever follows her, kill him with the sword": This instruction serves as a strong deterrent against any rebellion or resistance. It emphasizes the complete authority of the newly established order under Joash and Jehoiada and the severe consequences for opposition. It signals an unwavering commitment to rooting out all ungodliness and treachery associated with Athaliah's reign.
• "For the priest had said, 'Do not kill her in the house of the Lord'": This part reveals Jehoiada's primary concern: the sanctity of God's house. Even in executing a wicked queen, the reverence for the Temple could not be compromised. This highlights the foundational principle in ancient Israel that holy spaces were to be preserved from ritual impurity, especially from the shedding of blood outside of sacrificial rites. It's a powerful statement about discerning between justice and profanation, illustrating divine priorities.

2 Chronicles 23 14 Bonus section

The immediate obedience of the "captains of hundreds" to Jehoiada's complex, life-or-death commands demonstrates the high priest's immense authority and respect within the community, especially within the military circles, which implies a strong network and trust built over the six years Athaliah was in power. This covert operation speaks to the power of committed, righteous leadership against established, though corrupt, power structures. Furthermore, Athaliah's execution "between the ranks" was symbolic: she who had sought to destroy God's appointed Davidic line was publicly marched out and dealt with by the forces protecting that very line. This scene is a dramatic illustration of God's covenant faithfulness prevailing even when the Davidic lineage was brought to the brink of extinction.

2 Chronicles 23 14 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:14 provides a powerful insight into the intersection of divine will, human authority, and ritual purity in ancient Israel. Jehoiada's directive concerning Athaliah's execution demonstrates a profound commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the Temple even amidst a necessary act of capital punishment. Athaliah, through her Baal worship and tyrannical rule, represented the defilement of the land and the royal line. Her removal was essential for Judah's spiritual and political cleansing. However, Jehoiada ensured that this cleansing did not, in turn, defile the sacred dwelling place of God. The phrase "Do not kill her in the house of the Lord" serves as a crucial theological boundary, reinforcing that the Temple was not merely a public space for legal execution but a hallowed sanctuary for worship and God's presence. This action portrays Jehoiada as a faithful and discerning leader who understood the absolute importance of God's holiness over convenience or even the dramatic satisfaction of immediate retribution. His precise instructions for escorting her "between the ranks" and executing those who would follow underscore the systematic and righteous nature of this purging, signaling an end to the chaotic reign of ungodliness and the restoration of covenant faithfulness.