2 Chronicles 24 23

2 Chronicles 24:23 kjv

And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.

2 Chronicles 24:23 nkjv

So it happened in the spring of the year that the army of Syria came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the leaders of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.

2 Chronicles 24:23 niv

At the turn of the year, the army of Aram marched against Joash; it invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus.

2 Chronicles 24:23 esv

At the end of the year the army of the Syrians came up against Joash. They came to Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.

2 Chronicles 24:23 nlt

In the spring of the year the Aramean army marched against Joash. They invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the nation. Then they sent all the plunder back to their king in Damascus.

2 Chronicles 24 verses

2 Chronicles 24 23 Meaning

2 Chronicles 24:23 describes the immediate divine consequence of King Joash's and Judah's apostasy. Following their abandonment of the Lord and the murder of Zechariah, God allowed a Syrian army, led by King Hazael, to invade Judah at the "turn of the year" (often indicating springtime, a typical season for military campaigns). This seemingly small Syrian force reached Jerusalem, ravaged the land, eliminated the very princes who had led Joash astray, and took vast plunder back to their king in Damascus. This event served as God's righteous judgment and swift retribution upon Judah for their unfaithfulness.

2 Chronicles 24 23 Context

This verse is a crucial turning point in the reign of King Joash of Judah, serving as the fulfillment of a prophecy of judgment. Joash had begun his reign positively under the mentorship of Jehoiada the priest, leading the people in repairing the temple and serving the Lord (2 Chr 24:1-14). However, immediately following Jehoiada's death, Joash succumbed to the flattery and corrupt counsel of the princes of Judah, abandoning the temple of the Lord and serving Asherah poles and idols (2 Chr 24:17-18). Despite God sending prophets to warn them and call them back, they refused to listen (2 Chr 24:19). The crisis peaked when the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, who courageously confronted the people and the king for their apostasy. In a heinous act of ingratitude, Joash, in open defiance of God's messenger and out of bitterness towards Jehoiada's family, commanded Zechariah to be stoned to death within the court of the house of the Lord (2 Chr 24:20-22). Zechariah's dying words, "May the Lord see and avenge!" (2 Chr 24:22), serve as the direct antecedent and prophetic backdrop for the invasion described in 2 Chronicles 24:23, signaling that this military disaster is divine retribution.

Word Analysis

• And it came to pass at the end of the year: The Hebrew phrase is tequphath ha'shanah (תְּקוּפַת הַשָּׁנָה), literally meaning "at the circuit/revolution of the year." This typically refers to the turn of the year, often associated with the spring or new year season (Exod 34:22; 1 Sam 1:20). It signifies a cyclical period, and historically, spring was a customary time for kings to go out to war, after the rainy season (2 Sam 11:1). Its mention here emphasizes the swiftness and perhaps the inevitable, recurring nature of God's judgment once Judah had definitively turned from Him.
• that the host of Syria came up against him: The "host" is ḥayil (חַיִל), referring to an army or military force. "Syria" is Aram (אֲרָם) in Hebrew. The ascent of this Syrian army under King Hazael (as identified in 2 Kgs 12:17, a parallel account) signifies a divine instrument of judgment. Hazael was himself raised up by God through Elisha to execute judgment upon Israel (1 Kgs 19:15-17; 2 Kgs 8:12-13), now extended to Judah due to their unfaithfulness. The Chronicler emphasizes that this was not merely a random geopolitical event, but a direct consequence sanctioned by God.
• and they came to Judah and Jerusalem: This indicates a targeted and successful invasion that penetrated the heartland of Judah and reached its capital. Jerusalem was often considered impregnable, especially given its fortifications. The fact that the Syrians could reach it underscores the withdrawal of God's protection.
• and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people: The word "destroyed" is wayya'abadu (וַיַּאֲבִידוּ), from abad (אָבַד), meaning to perish or to destroy. This destruction of the "princes" (sarim, שָׂרִים) is highly significant. These were the very officials who had flattered Joash, turned him away from the Lord, and convinced him to allow idolatry back into Judah, and possibly instigated or approved Zechariah's murder (2 Chr 24:17-21). Their being singled out and "destroyed" serves as precise poetic justice or specific divine retribution, directly addressing their guilt in leading the nation astray and offending God. This demonstrates that judgment often begins with the leaders who bear greater responsibility.
• and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus: The "spoil" (shalal, שָׁלָל) refers to the plunder, the vast wealth taken as booty. Damascus was the capital of Syria/Aram, ruled by King Hazael. This act signifies the complete subjugation and humiliation of Judah, turning it into a tributary state to its enemy. The flow of Judah's wealth to a foreign pagan king further underlines the severity of the divine judgment and the stripping away of God's blessings that had accumulated during the period of faithfulness. This also implies Judah's economic devastation, impacting its long-term strength.

2 Chronicles 24 23 Commentary

2 Chronicles 24:23 acts as the immediate, visible divine retribution for Judah's apostasy and the grievous sin of shedding innocent prophetic blood. The invasion by a Syrian army, at the strategic turn of the year, was no mere coincidence but God's judgment manifesting through an already established instrument of His wrath (Hazael). The targeting and "destruction" of the princes, those who had corrupted Joash and misled the nation, serve as a striking example of specific justice, demonstrating that God holds leaders accountable for their influence. The plunder sent to Damascus solidifies the notion of a nation stripped of its blessing and strength due to forsaking the One who was its ultimate protector. This verse powerfully illustrates the Chronicler's theological premise: faithfulness brings blessing, but unfaithfulness brings swift and severe judgment. It shows God's immediate response to national sin and particularly the egregious act against His messenger, fulfilling Zechariah's dying plea.

Bonus Section

• The Chronicler's emphasis on "at the end of the year" might also imply that the judgment came swiftly, without much delay, following the murder of Zechariah. It contrasts with the gradual decline or long-term consequences often found elsewhere in Israel's history.
• The parallel account in 2 Kings 12:17-18 focuses more on the political/military aspects, simply stating Hazael attacked and Joash paid him off. The Chronicler, however, prioritizes the theological "why"—framing the invasion entirely as a divine punishment for the people's sins, particularly the murder of Zechariah, which 2 Kings does not explicitly link. This highlights the Chronicler's central theme of immediate divine retribution.
• The narrative subtly emphasizes the tragic irony: the nation's spiritual leaders (the princes) led them to physical and national ruin, specifically being "destroyed" in the very consequence they helped bring about.