2 Chronicles 24:12 kjv
And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 24:12 nkjv
The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of the house of the LORD; and they hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also those who worked in iron and bronze to restore the house of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 24:12 niv
The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who carried out the work required for the temple of the LORD. They hired masons and carpenters to restore the LORD's temple, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the temple.
2 Chronicles 24:12 esv
And the king and Jehoiada gave it to those who had charge of the work of the house of the LORD, and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 24:12 nlt
The king and Jehoiada gave the money to the construction supervisors, who hired masons and carpenters to restore the Temple of the LORD. They also hired metalworkers, who made articles of iron and bronze for the LORD's Temple.
2 Chronicles 24 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 24:4 | "Now after this it was in the heart of Joash to repair the house of the Lord." | Joash's intent to repair |
| 2 Chr 24:8 | "So the king commanded and they made a chest and set it outside..." | Collection method for temple funds |
| 2 Chr 24:13 | "So the workmen labored, and the repair work prospered... restored it to its former state and strengthened it." | Successful completion of repairs |
| 2 Chr 24:14 | "And when they had finished, they brought the rest of the silver before the king and Jehoiada..." | Accountability in resource management |
| Exo 35:21 | "And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him... and brought the Lord’s contribution..." | Willing contributions for sanctuary |
| Exo 36:1-7 | "Bezalel and Oholiab... whom the LORD has gifted... have been given skill to know how to perform all the work..." | God's provision of skilled craftsmen |
| 1 Kgs 6:7 | "When the house was being built, only finished stones... so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard..." | Skill and care in initial temple construction |
| Ezra 1:2-3 | "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD... has charged me to build him a house... in Jerusalem..." | Temple rebuilding decree after exile |
| Hag 1:2-4 | "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" | Exhortation to prioritize God's house |
| Neh 4:6 | "So we built the wall... for the people had a mind to work." | Willingness of people to work for God's project |
| Acts 7:47-48 | "But Solomon built him a house. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands..." | Spiritual nature transcends physical temple |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" | Believers as spiritual temples |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | "...for we are the temple of the living God..." | Believers as the dwelling of God |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." | The church as a spiritual building |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house..." | Believers built into God's spiritual house |
| Psa 127:1 | "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." | God's indispensable role in all endeavors |
| Psa 84:10 | "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere." | Reverence for God's dwelling place |
| Prov 24:27 | "Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house." | Principle of proper planning and preparation |
| Tit 3:1 | "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work..." | Submission to leadership for good works |
| 1 Tim 5:18 | "The laborer is worthy of his wages." | Principle of fair compensation |
2 Chronicles 24 verses
2 Chronicles 24 12 Meaning
2 Chronicles 24:12 details the practical implementation of the temple repair project during King Joash's early reign, under the guidance of Jehoiada the High Priest. It describes how the collected silver from the "chest of Jehoiada" was given by the king and Jehoiada to the appointed overseers. These funds were then used to hire various skilled craftsmen—masons, carpenters, and metalworkers (iron and bronze)—to actively restore and repair the damaged and neglected House of the LORD. The verse highlights diligent administration, the purposeful allocation of resources, and the active labor involved in reverently restoring God's sanctuary.
2 Chronicles 24 12 Context
Chapter 24 of 2 Chronicles opens with the beginning of Joash's reign at the tender age of seven. His initial success and godliness are heavily attributed to the faithful guidance of Jehoiada the High Priest (2 Chr 24:1-2). During this period, Joash expressed a desire to repair the Lord's house, which had fallen into disrepair, partly due to the neglect and desecration by the sons of Athaliah (2 Chr 24:7). The previous method of collecting funds had failed, leading Jehoiada to institute a new system by placing a chest at the gate of the Temple (2 Chr 24:8-11). The people responded with generosity and zeal, bringing in abundant offerings. Verse 12 immediately follows the description of the ample funds collected, detailing the precise and orderly distribution of these resources to initiate and sustain the actual physical renovation of the temple, marking a high point of collaboration between civil and religious authority for the glory of God.
2 Chronicles 24 12 Word analysis
- And the king and Jehoiada: This highlights the crucial partnership between King Joash (the civil authority) and Jehoiada (the high priestly, religious authority). Joash, still young, was significantly influenced and guided by Jehoiada, underscoring the importance of righteous mentorship in leadership. Their combined authority provided legitimacy and executive power to the project.
- gave them: Refers to the significant sum of silver collected from the people via the chest. The giving was not merely a passive transfer but an active, purposeful allocation of the gathered resources.
- to those who had charge of the work of the house of the LORD: These were the appointed supervisors or overseers (Hebrew: paqîd or paqad, related to "to visit, appoint, inspect, take charge"). Their role was critical for accountability, efficient management, and ensuring that the funds were used properly and that the work was done to a high standard. This implies a structured and organized approach to project management.
- the house of the LORD: Refers to the Jerusalem Temple, the physical dwelling place chosen by God (Hebrew: bêt Yahweh). Its repair was not just about fixing a building, but restoring a sacred space central to Israelite worship, identity, and the nation's covenant relationship with God. The dilapidation reflected a spiritual decline; its restoration signified spiritual renewal.
- who hired masons and carpenters:
Masons(chōrāsh 'eben, lit. "cutters of stone") worked with stone, andcarpenters(chōrāsh 'ēṣ, lit. "cutters of wood") with timber. These were fundamental trades for any construction or renovation project. The act of "hiring" signifies compensation for skilled labor, an ethical and practical approach to obtaining expertise. - to restore the house of the LORD, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the LORD: The repetition of "the house of the LORD" emphasizes the singular focus of all these efforts.
- to restore/repair: (Hebrew:
chazaq- "to strengthen, mend, repair") These verbs denote comprehensive efforts to make the building strong, functional, and beautiful again.chazaqspecifically means to reinforce or fortify, indicating that structural integrity and strength were primary goals, not just superficial fixes. The addition of "workers in iron and bronze" highlights specialized craftsmanship needed for fixtures, ornamentation, and possibly structural reinforcement that goes beyond basic stone and wood work, showing the thoroughness of the repair. - workers in iron and bronze: These were metal smiths, specialized craftsmen necessary for detailed work, fittings, and more advanced elements of the temple, indicating a thorough and comprehensive repair effort beyond merely basic structural fixes.
- to restore/repair: (Hebrew:
2 Chronicles 24 12 Bonus section
The methodical approach to temple repair described here – clear leadership, appointed overseers, a system for funds collection, hiring skilled laborers, and meticulous allocation of resources – provides an enduring blueprint for any major project, especially those undertaken in service of God. This narrative also subtly serves as a polemic against idleness and neglect, emphasizing proactive service and demonstrating that a robust, organized effort can reverse years of desecration or apathy. The success here highlights Jehoiada's integrity and Joash's early obedience, contrasting starkly with the spiritual decline and disastrous consequences that afflicted Joash and the nation after Jehoiada's death (2 Chr 24:15-27), when the very structures rebuilt here were once again neglected and even idolatry resurfaced. The thoroughness of the repairs extended beyond basic fixes to include the provision of new vessels for temple service once the structural work was complete (2 Chr 24:14).
2 Chronicles 24 12 Commentary
2 Chronicles 24:12 stands as a testament to the power of united, God-honoring leadership and a generous populace. It depicts the orderly transition from fundraising to tangible progress in the sacred task of temple repair. The emphasis is on faithful stewardship: the funds collected for a specific sacred purpose were precisely used for that purpose, facilitated by competent overseers and skilled laborers. This verse beautifully illustrates how collective vision, proper administration, and diligent work, when empowered by God's people and leadership, can bring about significant and lasting restoration. It underlines that practical action, utilizing human skill and resources, is a vital component of spiritual revival and commitment to God's work on earth.