2 Kings 12 10

2 Kings 12:10 kjv

And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 12:10 nkjv

So it was, whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's scribe and the high priest came up and put it in bags, and counted the money that was found in the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 12:10 niv

Whenever they saw that there was a large amount of money in the chest, the royal secretary and the high priest came, counted the money that had been brought into the temple of the LORD and put it into bags.

2 Kings 12:10 esv

And whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, the king's secretary and the high priest came up and they bagged and counted the money that was found in the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 12:10 nlt

Whenever the chest became full, the court secretary and the high priest counted the money that had been brought to the LORD's Temple and put it into bags.

2 Kings 12 verses

2 Kings 12 10 Meaning

This verse describes the methodical and transparent administration of the funds collected for the repair of the house of the Lord under King Joash. When a significant amount of money had accumulated in the offering chest, the king's designated financial officer (scribe) and the chief religious authority (high priest) jointly oversaw the process. They removed, accurately counted, and precisely weighed the silver to ensure its correct value. This meticulously handled money was then handed over to the appointed managers responsible for executing the repair work on the Temple. It highlights the integrity and collaborative effort between the royal and priestly authorities in safeguarding and utilizing sacred contributions for their intended purpose.

2 Kings 12 10 Context

This verse is situated within the narrative of King Joash's reign and his sincere initial efforts to repair the defiled and neglected Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Following years of desecration and idolatry, particularly under Athaliah, the Temple had fallen into severe disrepair. Joash, guided by Jehoiada the priest, initiates a collection method involving a specially designated chest for offerings for the Temple's restoration (2 Kgs 12:4-9). Verse 10 specifically describes the crucial stage of transparent and accountable management of these collected funds before their disbursement. The act of the king's scribe and the high priest collaboratively overseeing the counting and weighing underscores the dual civil and religious authority committed to the project and emphasizes financial integrity. In a period before standardized coinage, weighing silver was the accepted method to verify its purity and precise value, ensuring honesty in transactions.

2 Kings 12 10 Word analysis

• And when they saw: This likely refers to King Joash and Jehoiada the priest, along with their trusted officials, who would have regularly monitored the collection. It denotes an official recognition that a substantial amount had been gathered.
• that there was much money: Hebrew: kesef (כֶּסֶף), which means "silver" or "money." In ancient Israel, silver, often in unminted form or various denominations, served as the primary currency for transactions. "Much" indicates a successful and generous response from the people.
• in the chest: Hebrew: 'aron (אָרוֹן), here referring to the special collection chest with a hole, set up at the entrance to the Temple. Its placement signified transparency and accessibility for all contributors, differentiating it from the general Temple treasury.
• the king's scribe: Hebrew: has-sopher ham-melekh (הַסֹּפֵר הַמֶּלֶךְ). This official was a high-ranking royal administrator, akin to a chancellor or treasurer, responsible for royal accounts and records. Their involvement signifies the king's direct oversight and commitment to accountability, ensuring royal and national funds were properly handled.
• and the high priest: Hebrew: wəhak-kohen hag-gadol (וְהַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל). This refers to Jehoiada, who was central to Joash's rise and played a crucial role as the spiritual leader. His presence affirmed the sacred nature of the funds and guaranteed their use according to God's will and temple protocols, embodying religious oversight and approval.
• came up: Suggests approaching the chest, possibly situated publicly, to begin the process of counting and weighing. This phrase often indicates an upward movement or a coming to a place of authority or importance.
• and counted the money: The first step in auditing, verifying the numerical amount collected. This implies a careful and organized system.
• that was found in the house of the Lord: Reaffirms the origin and holy purpose of the funds, as contributions dedicated for God's sanctuary.
• and weighed it out: Hebrew: way-yiš-qe-luhū (וַיִּשְׁקְלֻהוּ). A critical step in ancient commerce and finance before standardized coinage. Weighing confirmed the precise quantity and purity of the silver, guarding against fraud or misvaluation. It underscores meticulousness and financial integrity.
• to the doers of the work, to the overseers of the house of the Lord: This refers to the master craftsmen, supervisors, and project managers responsible for organizing and executing the Temple repairs (as elaborated in verse 11 and further confirmed in verse 15). The money was not given directly to individual laborers but disbursed through a structured and accountable chain of command. This system implies a trust placed in these "overseers" for proper further distribution, highlighting a well-organized administration for the restoration project.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the king's scribe and the high priest": This grouping highlights the vital collaboration and joint authority between the civil administration (king's realm) and the religious leadership (priesthood) in handling funds dedicated to God's house. It speaks to a unified governance for a sacred project, establishing a strong precedent for transparent stewardship and shared responsibility. This partnership ensured legitimacy from both a national and divine perspective.
• "counted the money...and weighed it out": This phrase encapsulates the core action of the verse: meticulous financial due diligence. The twin actions of counting (for quantity) and weighing (for value and purity, crucial in a pre-coinage economy) demonstrate extreme care, honesty, and accountability. It's a testament to the effort made to prevent embezzlement or misuse of sacred funds, setting a high standard for stewardship.
• "to the overseers of the work...who had charge of the house of the Lord": This identifies the recipients of the funds as responsible intermediaries, not the ultimate laborers. This structured approach ensured that the funds were entrusted to reputable project managers, emphasizing an organized management system for the repairs. It also subtly reinforces the idea of trust in these individuals, as they would disburse the funds for specific work without further audited oversight (as indicated in verse 15).

2 Kings 12 10 Bonus section

• The practice of "weighing out" silver reflects the economic realities of the ancient world before widely circulating, uniform coinage. Silver was often traded as ingots, bars, or uncoined lumps, making weighing crucial to determine its actual value based on its purity and mass. This highlights the practical and diligent approach taken to prevent fraud.
• The absence of a subsequent detailed accounting from the "overseers" for the money they received (mentioned in 2 Kgs 12:15: "they did not ask an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to pay out to the workmen, for they dealt faithfully") speaks to a remarkable level of trust placed in these individuals. This trust, extended by the king's scribe and the high priest, signifies a rare level of perceived integrity among the appointed managers of the Temple project, pointing to a restored culture of faithfulness during this early part of Joash's reign.
• While this verse depicts ideal administration, King Joash's spiritual resolve ultimately waned after Jehoiada's death (2 Kgs 12:17-18 and especially 2 Chr 24:17-27), leading to neglect and even idolatry. This highlights that while systems and structures are important, the ongoing integrity and faithfulness of leaders are paramount for sustained righteous governance and spiritual vitality.

2 Kings 12 10 Commentary

2 Kings 12:10 offers a concise yet profound snapshot of effective and righteous administration in ancient Israel. It demonstrates the diligent process adopted by King Joash and Jehoiada the High Priest for managing the sacred funds collected for Temple repair. The joint presence and action of the king's scribe (representing royal authority and financial oversight) and the high priest (representing spiritual authority and the sanctity of God's house) underscore a commitment to utmost transparency and accountability. The detailed procedure of "counting" and "weighing" the silver speaks volumes about the value placed on accuracy and integrity, a necessary safeguard in an era without standardized coinage. This method ensured that the freewill offerings were honored and channeled directly to the authorized "overseers" of the work, indicating a well-organized project management structure. The verse exemplifies excellent stewardship and stands as a practical lesson in honest handling of communal or sacred resources, marking a period of spiritual revival and focus on the integrity of God's sanctuary.