2 Chronicles 24 6

2 Chronicles 24:6 kjv

And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?

2 Chronicles 24:6 nkjv

So the king called Jehoiada the chief priest, and said to him, "Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD and of the assembly of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?"

2 Chronicles 24:6 niv

Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, "Why haven't you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the tent of the covenant law?"

2 Chronicles 24:6 esv

So the king summoned Jehoiada the chief and said to him, "Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax levied by Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the congregation of Israel for the tent of testimony?"

2 Chronicles 24:6 nlt

So the king called for Jehoiada the high priest and asked him, "Why haven't you demanded that the Levites go out and collect the Temple taxes from the towns of Judah and from Jerusalem? Moses, the servant of the LORD, levied this tax on the community of Israel in order to maintain the Tabernacle of the Covenant. "

2 Chronicles 24 verses

2 Chronicles 24 6 Meaning

King Joash of Judah, advised by the high priest Jehoiada, confronts the Levites for failing to collect the mandatory contributions from the people of Judah and Jerusalem. This collection was required by the Law of Moses to maintain and repair the tabernacle (and by extension, the temple), highlighting the king's concern for the neglected state of God's house and a desire to restore proper adherence to the divine command for its upkeep.

2 Chronicles 24 6 Context

This verse is situated early in the reign of King Joash of Judah (2 Chronicles 24). Joash began his rule at a young age, fostered and guided by the righteous high priest Jehoiada. Following the apostate reign of Athaliah, who neglected and plundered the temple, the house of the Lord was in severe disrepair. Joash, under Jehoiada's positive influence, developed a zeal for God's house and initiated a restoration project. Verses 4 and 5 indicate that Joash had already commanded the priests and Levites to collect money for the temple repair from all Judah. Verse 6 reveals that after some time, this initial command had not been executed efficiently or fully. Joash, noticing the lack of progress in repairs despite his decree, calls Jehoiada to account for the failure of the Levites under his oversight to collect the necessary funds, referencing the ancient Mosaic law as the basis for the required contribution. This highlights the problem of religious functionaries not carrying out their duties and the king's attempt to enforce obedience to divine statutes for the upkeep of the sacred space.

Word Analysis

• And the king: Refers to Joash. Despite being young (7 years old when he became king), he is taking initiative, showing the authority given to him. This demonstrates the influence of Jehoiada in shaping a responsible monarch early on.
• called Jehoiada the chief: Jehoiada, the high priest, held immense authority and influence as Joash's guardian and spiritual mentor. "Chief" (רֹאשׁ - ro'sh) signifies his preeminent position among the priests and possibly as a leading figure in the kingdom's administration. He was responsible for overseeing the Levites and their duties.
• and said to him: This indicates a direct address and a tone of questioning, or perhaps an implicit rebuke, reflecting Joash's growing awareness and displeasure. It shows the king's expectation for the temple's needs to be met.
• Why have ye not required: The word "required" (דָּרַשׁ - darash) implies not merely asking but seeking earnestly, demanding, or holding someone accountable. Joash is expressing his concern and holding Jehoiada responsible for the Levites' inaction. It suggests a lack of diligence or urgency in executing the king's earlier command (2 Chr 24:5).
• of the Levites to bring in out of Judah: The Levites were designated as the ones responsible for collection. They served as spiritual administrators and custodians of God's house (Num 1:50-53, Num 3:25-37). "Out of Judah" refers to the general population from the tribal territory of Judah, from whom these contributions were due.
• and out of Jerusalem: Specifies the capital city, implying contributions were to be collected from all segments of the kingdom.
• the collection: The Hebrew word used here, מַשָּׂא (massa'), can mean "a burden," "a carrying," or "a tribute/levy." In this context, it refers to the financial levy or required contribution that the people were expected to provide for the upkeep of the sanctuary. It indicates a mandatory, not voluntary, offering.
• according to the commandment of Moses: This anchors the present levy in ancient, foundational divine law. It legitimizes the king's demand and reminds Jehoiada and the Levites of their sacred duty. This command is primarily found in Exod 30:11-16.
• the servant of the Lord: A title of great honor given to Moses, highlighting his direct divine appointment and fidelity to God. This phrase emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the law being invoked, adding weight to Joash's expectation.
• for the tabernacle of witness: Refers to the original tent of meeting (also "tabernacle of the testimony" in Exodus). This specifies the original purpose of the half-shekel tax: to fund the upkeep of the mobile sanctuary, later implicitly extended to the standing temple in Jerusalem, demonstrating continuity of purpose and divine expectation for the upkeep of God's dwelling place.

2 Chronicles 24 6 Bonus section

The phrase "tabernacle of witness" or "tabernacle of the testimony" (מִשְׁכַּן הָעֵדֻת - mishkan ha-edut) carries theological weight beyond just being a structure. The "witness" or "testimony" refers to the stone tablets of the Law placed within the Ark of the Covenant, signifying God's covenant with Israel and His ongoing presence and commands. Thus, the collection for its upkeep wasn't merely for a building but for the maintenance of a sacred space central to the covenant relationship and God's manifested presence, where the "witness" of His covenant resided. This failure to collect contributions represented a neglect of the covenant itself. Joash's subsequent action (2 Chr 24:8-11) by introducing a new, more efficient method of collection demonstrates adaptive leadership in upholding divine principles when traditional methods fail. It shows that even good intentions (as Jehoiada likely had) are not enough; effective action and accountability are necessary for stewardship of God's resources and His house.

2 Chronicles 24 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 24:6 encapsulates a crucial moment in Joash's early reign, reflecting his commendable zeal for the Lord's house under Jehoiada's guidance. The verse reveals Joash's concern that his prior command (2 Chr 24:5) for temple repairs had not been effectively implemented by those charged with the duty – the Levites under Jehoiada's oversight. The king's challenge, "Why have ye not required?", underscores a lack of diligence and accountability among the religious leadership regarding financial administration. By rooting the required collection in "the commandment of Moses... for the tabernacle of witness," Joash not only legitimizes the demand but also reminds Jehoiada of a foundational, covenantal responsibility. This points to the principle that caring for God's physical sanctuary is an act of obedience to divine law, and a reflection of a people's spiritual health and commitment to God's presence among them. The delay implies negligence, leading to Joash taking a more direct and assertive role to ensure the Lord's house was not neglected.