2 Chronicles 23 2

2 Chronicles 23:2 kjv

And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 23:2 nkjv

And they went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the chief fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 23:2 niv

They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites and the heads of Israelite families from all the towns. When they came to Jerusalem,

2 Chronicles 23:2 esv

And they went about through Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers' houses of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 23:2 nlt

These men traveled secretly throughout Judah and summoned the Levites and clan leaders in all the towns to come to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 2 Meaning

This verse describes a critical initial step taken by Jehoiada the priest: he organized a concerted effort throughout Judah to gather essential leaders – the Levites from all the cities and the heads of the tribal families of Israel – to Jerusalem. This mobilization was foundational for his plan to depose Queen Athaliah and install Joash, the legitimate heir of the Davidic line, as king, thereby restoring true worship and legitimate rule to Judah.

2 Chronicles 23 2 Context

This verse is part of the narrative detailing Jehoiada the priest's daring coup to overthrow the tyrannical queen Athaliah and restore Joash, the last surviving heir of the Davidic line, to the throne. Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, had unlawfully seized power after her son Ahaziah's death, brutally murdering the royal seed of Judah, except for the infant Joash, who was secretly rescued by Jehoiada and his wife Jehosheba and hidden in the temple for six years (2 Chr 22:10-12). In the seventh year, Jehoiada initiated his plan (2 Chr 23:1). This verse marks the crucial first step: gathering loyal and influential support throughout Judah. The chronicler emphasizes the religious and legitimate nature of this restoration, highlighting the Levites and family heads, who represented the entire nation and had deep connections to the covenant and temple. The broader context includes the preservation of the Davidic covenant and the true worship of Yahweh in contrast to the Baal worship promoted by Athaliah and her lineage.

2 Chronicles 23 2 Word analysis

• And they went about in Judah: (וַיְסֹבְבוּ בִּיהוּדָה - vay'sov'vu biY'hūḏāh) The Hebrew verb sāḇaḇ often implies going around, surrounding, or encircling, suggesting a systematic, widespread movement throughout the land. This indicates a clandestine, yet thorough, operation to discreetly contact key individuals across the territory of Judah, likely Jehoiada's trusted lieutenants carrying out his directives. The phrase highlights the extensive reach of Jehoiada's network and the quiet nature of the preparations to avoid alerting Athaliah.
• and gathered: (וַיַּאַסְפוּ - vayya’as'fū) The Hebrew verb 'asaph means to collect, assemble, or bring together. This term emphasizes the organized and intentional recruitment of these leaders. It signifies not just contacting them, but actively bringing them to a central location. The gathering demonstrates the unification of support under Jehoiada's leadership.
• the Levites: (הַלְוִיִּם - hal'wiyyīm) The Levites were members of the priestly tribe, specifically designated for service in the tabernacle and later the Temple. They were not just ritualistic attendants; they were teachers of the Law (Deut 33:10), administrators of justice, and keepers of the Temple treasury and grounds. They were geographically dispersed throughout Judah's cities, owning no tribal territory themselves but receiving cities among the other tribes. Their inclusion was crucial because they were dedicated to Yahweh's service, loyal to the true cult, and likely resented Athaliah's influence on religious affairs. Their extensive network throughout Judah made them ideal agents for Jehoiada's plan and provided the necessary support base for Temple security.
• from all the cities of Judah: (מִכָּל־עָרֵי יְהוּדָה - mi'kāol-ʿārei Y'hūḏāh) This phrase stresses the comprehensive nature of the recruitment. It shows that Jehoiada's movement was not confined to Jerusalem but sought support from across the entire kingdom. This widespread backing was essential for the legitimacy and ultimate success of the coup, ensuring national unity rather than a localized uprising. It also reflects the Chronicler's emphasis on the unified twelve tribes, though Judah is the primary focus here.
• and the heads of the fathers' houses of Israel: (וְרָאשֵׁי הָאָבוֹת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל - v'rāshei hā’āḇoṯ l'Yiśrā'el) These "heads of fathers' houses" (also translated as "chiefs of ancestral households" or "heads of clans") represented the civic and social leadership of the people. They were patriarchal figures, local dignitaries, and community leaders who held significant influence over their respective families and clans. Their allegiance would grant the coup tribal and popular legitimacy, representing the consensus of the people beyond the strictly religious class. The use of "Israel" here, instead of just "Judah," could be a chronicler's subtle reminder of the aspiration for a reunited Israel, or it could simply be a traditional term referring to the nation of Judah as inheritors of the name and covenant. It underscores their role as representatives of the wider people of God, not just a Jerusalem-centric elite.
• to Jerusalem: (לִירוּשָׁלִָם - lîrušālāim) Jerusalem was the capital city, the seat of the Davidic monarchy, and, most importantly, the location of the Temple. Gathering these key figures to Jerusalem was crucial for strategizing, coordination, and ensuring that the pivotal action – Joash's enthronement – took place in the divinely chosen city, symbolizing the restoration of proper religious and political authority centered in God's chosen dwelling place.

2 Chronicles 23 2 Bonus section

The Chronicler's emphasis on the Levites is particularly pronounced here, aligning with his broader theological agenda that highlights the central role of the temple, its priests, and its liturgical order in the well-being of the kingdom. While the parallel account in 2 Kings 11:4 mentions Jehoiada gathering the captains and the Carian guards, the Chronicler deliberately elevates the role of the Levites, implying that this was fundamentally a restoration rooted in religious purity and order, supported by those most dedicated to it. This highlights that the re-establishment of the Davidic line was not merely a political maneuver but a deeply spiritual and theological act, restoring God's appointed king in God's chosen city with the explicit blessing and active participation of God's appointed religious personnel and the broader representatives of His people. The phrase "heads of the fathers' houses of Israel" suggests a persistent chronicler ideal of a unified "Israel" beyond just Judah, even in times of division, reminding the post-exilic audience of a shared heritage and future hope under Yahweh.

2 Chronicles 23 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:2 vividly depicts the meticulous organization and broad consensus-building underlying Jehoiada's restoration project. Rather than relying on mere military might or a select few conspirators, Jehoiada ensured a widespread base of support by involving two foundational pillars of Israelite society: the Levites and the heads of families. The Levites, being consecrated to God's service and dispersed throughout the cities, provided a loyal network dedicated to the purity of Yahweh worship, inherently antagonistic to Athaliah's idolatrous influences. Their participation underscored the theological necessity of the coup – restoring the Davidic line was intrinsically linked to restoring true worship. The heads of families, representing the various tribal and clan structures, provided the popular legitimacy and authority derived from the people themselves, ensuring the movement was not merely an elite conspiracy but a nationally representative action. Their assembly in Jerusalem, the spiritual and political heart of Judah, served as a symbolic re-gathering of Israel around its rightful king and its God, solidifying the coming re-establishment of both divine covenant and human order. This strategic mobilization was foundational for the swift and successful implementation of Jehoiada's plan in the following verses, ensuring that the overthrow of Athaliah and the enthronement of Joash carried the full weight of both sacred authority and popular support.