2 Chronicles 23 7

2 Chronicles 23:7 kjv

And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

2 Chronicles 23:7 nkjv

And the Levites shall surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes into the house, let him be put to death. You are to be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out."

2 Chronicles 23:7 niv

The Levites are to station themselves around the king, each with weapon in hand. Anyone who enters the temple is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes."

2 Chronicles 23:7 esv

The Levites shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand. And whoever enters the house shall be put to death. Be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out."

2 Chronicles 23:7 nlt

You Levites, form a bodyguard around the king and keep your weapons in hand. Kill anyone who tries to enter the Temple. Stay with the king wherever he goes."

2 Chronicles 23 verses

2 Chronicles 23 7 Meaning

This verse details specific commands given by Jehoiada the priest to the Levites concerning the security of King Joash within the Temple precincts during the overthrow of Queen Athaliah. It mandates that Levites form a protective circle around the king, each armed with their designated implements or weapons, strictly prohibits unauthorized entry into the Temple on pain of death, and ensures the Levites' constant attendance to the king during his public appearances. This established a sacred, guarded zone around the anointed king, safeguarding his person and the holy space during a critical moment of political and spiritual restoration.

2 Chronicles 23 7 Context

Chapter 23 of 2 Chronicles details Jehoiada the priest's strategic and divinely inspired plan to restore the Davidic lineage to the throne of Judah. After the death of King Ahaziah, his mother Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, seized the throne, attempting to eliminate all royal heirs and establish her own rule, which likely involved promoting Baal worship. Unknown to her, Ahaziah's infant son, Joash, was secretly rescued and hidden in the Temple by Jehoiada's wife, Jehosheba.

Seven years later, Jehoiada meticulously planned a coup. He gathered faithful Levites and chiefs, secured oaths of loyalty, and organized the defense. Verse 7 specifically addresses the role of the Levites in protecting the young King Joash during the anointing and enthronement ceremony. The Temple was chosen for its sacredness and security, a place Athaliah dared not enter. This command ensures the king's safety against any opposition from Athaliah's supporters, highlights the sanctity of the Temple, and re-establishes the legitimate rule divinely appointed under the Davidic covenant, contrasting sharply with Athaliah's illegitimate, idolatrous reign.

2 Chronicles 23 7 Word analysis

• And the Levites (וְהַלְוִיִּם - v'ha-l'viyim): "The Levites," members of the tribe of Levi, consecrated for Temple service. Their duties primarily involved assisting the priests, maintaining the Temple, leading worship, and acting as guardians and porters. Here, they are called upon for military-style security duty, a temporary but vital deviation, underscoring the severity and sacredness of the occasion. This shows the adaptability of God's servants in times of crisis to protect His anointed and His House.
• shall compass (יַקִּיפוּ - yakifu): Hebrew verb meaning "to go around," "to surround," "to encompass." It signifies a complete encirclement, indicating full protective custody. It emphasizes the planned and organized nature of the security operation.
• the king (הַמֶּלֶךְ - ha-melekh): Refers to Joash, the legitimate, divinely appointed descendant of David, who had been hidden for six years. Protecting "the king" was synonymous with protecting God's chosen lineage and the covenant with David.
• round about (סָבִיב - saviv): Adverb meaning "all around," reinforcing the completeness of the encirclement. It highlights a secure, impenetrable perimeter.
• every man (אִישׁ - ish): Emphasizes individual responsibility within the collective task. Each Levite was personally accountable for his post and duty.
• with his weapons (כְּלָיו - k'lav): Literally "his implements," "his vessels," or "his articles." While keli can mean general tools or equipment, in this context of military protection, it specifically refers to weapons, armaments, or instruments used for defense/offense. This is unique, as Levites were not typically armed for battle. Their normal "implements" would be for temple service, but here they were adapted or explicitly referred to as instruments of defense. This demonstrates their dedication to securing God's established order.
• in his hand (בְּיָדוֹ - b'yado): Indicates immediate readiness for action. The weapons were not merely present but held firmly, poised for use. This reflects preparedness and determination.
• and whosoever else cometh (וְהַבָּא - v'ha-ba): "And the one who comes," indicating any unauthorized person, literally "the coming one." The phrase expresses strict exclusivity for access. This contrasts with Athaliah's desecration of authority and highlights the holiness required for presence in God's Temple.
• into the house (אֶל הַבַּיִת - el ha-bayit): "Into the House," referring specifically to the Temple (God's House) in Jerusalem. This was not a king's palace, but the sacred dwelling place of God. Its sanctity was paramount, and unauthorized entry was a grave offense.
• he shall be put to death (יוּמָת - yumath): Hebrew yumath (Hophal imperfect of mut) means "he shall certainly be put to death," "he is to be killed." This is a severe legal consequence, emphasizing the sacred boundaries of the Temple and the king's person. This was not merely a military order but a priestly decree reflecting the holiness of the sanctuary, as seen in priestly law regarding entry into the tabernacle/temple (e.g., Num 1:51; 3:10). This command underscores the zero-tolerance policy for defilement or attack in this holy space.
• but be ye with the king (וִהְיוּ אֶת־הַמֶּלֶךְ - vi-hyu et-ha-melekh): "And you shall be with the king," instructing constant accompaniment. This wasn't just about a physical presence but full allegiance and watchful support.
• when he cometh in, and when he goeth out (בְּבֹאוֹ וּבְצֵאתוֹ - b'vo'o u-v'tze'to): A Hebrew idiom signifying continuous, complete, or total supervision and support. It encompasses all his movements, publicly and privately, demonstrating constant vigilance and unwavering loyalty throughout his reign. This implies the Levites were to act as his comprehensive escort and guardians.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand": This phrase describes the formation of a secure, armed perimeter around Joash by the Levites. It demonstrates Jehoiada's strategic brilliance and trust in the Levites, transforming them into a protective detail. The readiness "with his weapons in his hand" indicates immediate defensive capability. This visual depicts Joash as guarded by those who serve the Lord directly, imbuing his protection with spiritual authority.
• "and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death": This is a strict proscription for unauthorized entry into the Temple, an offense punishable by death. It reiterates the inviolability of God's House and, by extension, the sacred ritual taking place within it. It acts as a clear warning to Athaliah's supporters, separating the legitimate (Levites) from the illegitimate (intruders), echoing similar divine prohibitions concerning the sanctuary from Mosaic Law. This polemic directly contrasts the order and holiness of God's plan with Athaliah's profane and tyrannical actions outside the Temple.
• "but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out": This instruction demands continuous, comprehensive protection and allegiance from the Levites to the king. The idiom "coming in and going out" signifies the full extent of their commitment, implying that they were to be his constant companions and protectors in all his official duties and movements. This establishes a profound relationship of loyalty between the priesthood and the restored Davidic monarchy, foundational for a divinely ordained kingdom.

2 Chronicles 23 7 Bonus section

• The deployment of Levites as armed guards in the Temple was extraordinary. While their duties included guarding the Temple, arming them with personal "weapons" for a coup signifies a heightened and very specific, one-time martial purpose, demonstrating that even those set apart for worship might be called upon for physical defense in service to God's ultimate plan and order. This was not typical Levite military duty, but an emergency activation to ensure divine justice.
• This passage demonstrates the concept of holy war or rather, divine intervention through human action to restore legitimate, righteous rule in a defiled land. The Temple serves not just as a religious site but as the strategic center for the restoration of the covenant king.
• The emphasis on "the House" being guarded reinforces the strong biblical principle of distinguishing the holy from the common and the clean from the unclean. Any "stranger" (non-Levite/priest in specific areas) was to face capital punishment for profaning holy space. This strict boundary underscores the covenant people's responsibility to preserve the purity of their worship and physical sacred space.

2 Chronicles 23 7 Commentary

2 Chronicles 23:7 outlines the precise security measures implemented by Jehoiada the priest to protect young King Joash during his enthronement, emphasizing the sacredness of both the king and the Temple. The Levites, ordinarily engaged in temple service, are now mobilized as a dedicated security force, symbolizing a blend of spiritual authority and temporal necessity. Their active role with "weapons" underscores the urgency and seriousness of displacing Athaliah's idolatrous regime, highlighting that even sacred personnel must take defensive action to uphold God's righteous order. The extreme penalty for unauthorized entry ("he shall be put to death") reinforces the sanctity of the Temple precincts. This echoes ancient prohibitions concerning the holy place and serves as a powerful deterrent against any attempt to disrupt the legitimate transfer of power or desecrate the Temple during the ceremony. Furthermore, the command for Levites to be continuously with the king ("when he cometh in, and when he goeth out") speaks to constant vigilance and unwavering loyalty, providing full protection for God's anointed throughout his public life. This verse beautifully illustrates how divine sovereignty works through human agency, involving careful planning, resolute action, and the unwavering protection of the God-ordained authority against chaos and wickedness.