2 Chronicles 24 26

2 Chronicles 24:26 kjv

And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.

2 Chronicles 24:26 nkjv

These are the ones who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.

2 Chronicles 24:26 niv

Those who conspired against him were Zabad, son of Shimeath an Ammonite woman, and Jehozabad, son of Shimrith a Moabite woman.

2 Chronicles 24:26 esv

Those who conspired against him were Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonite, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabite.

2 Chronicles 24:26 nlt

The assassins were Jozacar, the son of an Ammonite woman named Shimeath, and Jehozabad, the son of a Moabite woman named Shomer.

2 Chronicles 24 verses

2 Chronicles 24 26 Meaning

This verse identifies the two individuals who conspired and murdered King Joash: Zabad, the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad, the son of Shimrith. The significant detail added by the Chronicler is the foreign origin of their mothers, an Ammonitess and a Moabitess, highlighting the presence and impact of prohibited foreign elements within the kingdom and subtly emphasizing the moral decay that led to the regicide.

2 Chronicles 24 26 Context

Chapter Context (2 Chronicles 24): The chapter recounts the reign of King Joash of Judah. It begins with his positive early years, mentored by the high priest Jehoiada, during which the Temple was repaired and worship restored. However, after Jehoiada's death, Joash yielded to wicked counsel, abandoned the Lord, and tragically sanctioned the murder of Zechariah, Jehoiada's son, who rebuked the nation for its apostasy. As divine judgment, a small Aramean army defeated Judah, severely injuring Joash. The verse under analysis directly follows the account of Joash's afflictions and humiliation, specifying the immediate agents of his death.

Historical Context: Joash reigned for 40 years (835-796 BC). The kingdom of Judah at this time was experiencing varying degrees of faithfulness and political stability. The Chronicler, writing post-exile, often emphasized the direct consequences of obedience or disobedience to God, particularly concerning the Temple, priesthood, and the Davidic line. The mention of Ammonite and Moabitess mothers touches on long-standing Old Testament prohibitions against intermarriage, which were meant to preserve Israel's religious purity and unique covenant relationship with God. The infiltration of foreign elements, especially at a high level (influencing the conspirators), implicitly connects to the general moral and spiritual decline within the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 24 26 Word analysis

• And these are they that conspired against him: The Hebrew phrase "וְאֵלֶּה הַקּוֹשְׁרִים עָלָיו" (v'elleh haqqosh'rim 'alayv) directly identifies the individuals responsible for the conspiracy ("הַקּוֹשְׁרִים" - "haqqosh'rim" from the root "קָשַׁר" - qashar, meaning "to bind," "to conspire," "to revolt"). The Chronicler pinpoints culpability, indicating a definitive judgment enacted through human agents. This underscores that Joash's death was not random but a direct consequence orchestrated by individuals, interpreted as divine retribution.
• Zabad the son of Shimeath, an Ammonitess:
  • Zabad (זָבָד - Zavad): Meaning "gift" or "endowed." In the parallel account (2 Kgs 12:21), he is called Jozachar (יוֹזָכָר - Yozakhar), meaning "Yahweh has remembered." This naming variance is common in ancient texts and does not negate identity. The irony of "gift" is striking as he is instrumental in taking a life.
  • Shimeath (שִׁמְעָת - Shim'at): The mother of Zabad. Her name, perhaps related to "hearing," is overshadowed by her ethnic identifier.
  • an Ammonitess (עַמּוֹנִית - Ammonit): This is a critical detail. Ammonites were historical enemies of Israel, descendants of Lot. Mosaic Law strictly forbade Ammonites and Moabites from entering "the assembly of the LORD" (Deut 23:3), a severe restriction underscoring their theological opposition and the spiritual danger they posed. Her presence as the mother of a conspirator highlights foreign impurity influencing the inner court, perhaps leading to unholy motives for the conspiracy.
• and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith, a Moabitess:
  • Jehozabad (יְהוֹזָבָד - Yehozavadi): Meaning "Yahweh has endowed" or "Yahweh has given." In 2 Kgs 12:21, he is simply "Zabad." Similar to the first conspirator, his name ironically speaks of divine gifting, contrasting with his role in murder.
  • Shimrith (שִׁמְרִית - Shimrit): The mother of Jehozabad. In 2 Kgs 12:21, she is called Shomer (שׁוֹמֵר - Shomer), meaning "guardian" or "keeper." Again, a minor variation.
  • a Moabitess (מוֹאֲבִית - Moabiti): Like Ammonites, Moabites were descendants of Lot and longstanding adversaries of Israel, also explicitly prohibited from entering God's assembly (Deut 23:3). They were notorious for idolatry (e.g., Chemosh). The Chronicler emphasizes these foreign connections to underscore a spiritual dimension to the conspiracy – a symptom of national apostasy and disregard for divine law that even allowed such figures influence.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "conspired against him": This phrase directly identifies the act as a plot, a premeditated act rather than a random incident. The choice of "conspired" ("קָשַׁר" - qashar) implies betrayal from within the king's own household or court, typical of such regicides in the ancient Near East and within Israelite history (e.g., King Amon in 2 Kgs 21:23).
• "the son of Shimeath, an Ammonitess, and the son of Shimrith, a Moabitess": This double mention of maternal lineage is highly significant. The Chronicler often highlights genealogies to underscore moral character or covenant standing. By specifically naming the mothers and their forbidden national origins, the narrative subtly reinforces the consequences of Israel's spiritual compromises and Joash's failure to maintain holiness within his kingdom. These are not merely factual details; they carry theological weight. It serves as a reminder that turning away from God can lead to judgment carried out even by those with prohibited foreign backgrounds, highlighting God's sovereign control even amidst human wickedness. It implies a further degradation of moral order when those forbidden by covenant law can gain proximity and influence over the king to the point of assassination.

2 Chronicles 24 26 Bonus section

The Chronicler's emphasis on the maternal lineage, rather than paternal, could imply a deeper concern for ritual purity and the "seed" principle in line with Mosaic Law, or perhaps, it specifically highlights that these specific foreigners had entered and established a family within Judah, contrary to the prohibitions. The names of the assassins, Zabad and Jehozabad, both meaning "gift of Yahweh" or "Yahweh has given," carry a stark irony given their role in ending the life of a king who himself had betrayed the gifts and calling of Yahweh. This grim twist on their names serves to underscore the divine orchestration of events, where even instruments with names reflecting God's grace become agents of His justice against an unfaithful ruler. This also serves as a warning against complacent trust in leadership that turns away from God; external judgment (Syrians) and internal decay (assassination by foreign-linked conspirators) combine to show a holistic divine reckoning.

2 Chronicles 24 26 Commentary

2 Chronicles 24:26 is more than a simple identification of assassins; it is a profound theological statement. Having detailed Joash's apostasy, his responsibility for Zechariah's death, and the subsequent divine judgment through military defeat, the Chronicler names the human instruments of Joash's ultimate demise. The critical detail is not just who killed him, but whose sons they were—specifically, the mothers' foreign lineage as an Ammonitess and a Moabitess. This inclusion highlights the deep-seated decay within Joash's reign and kingdom. Israel's Law strictly prohibited association with these peoples, and their presence, especially with such close proximity and lethal influence, serves as a poignant illustration of how far the nation had drifted from God's commands. It symbolizes the corrupting influence allowed into the royal court, leading to internal strife and divine judgment. This verse underlines the Chronicler's recurring theme: faithfulness to God leads to blessing, and apostasy results in judgment, often manifesting through internal breakdown and conflict. The regicide, facilitated by these individuals, is presented as the final, internal working out of God's righteous verdict upon Joash's unfaithfulness.