2 Kings 12 11

2 Kings 12:11 kjv

And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,

2 Kings 12:11 nkjv

Then they gave the money, which had been apportioned, into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of the LORD; and they paid it out to the carpenters and builders who worked on the house of the LORD,

2 Kings 12:11 niv

When the amount had been determined, they gave the money to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. With it they paid those who worked on the temple of the LORD?the carpenters and builders,

2 Kings 12:11 esv

Then they would give the money that was weighed out into the hands of the workmen who had the oversight of the house of the LORD. And they paid it out to the carpenters and the builders who worked on the house of the LORD,

2 Kings 12:11 nlt

Then they gave the money to the construction supervisors, who used it to pay the people working on the LORD's Temple ? the carpenters, the builders,

2 Kings 12 verses

2 Kings 12 11 Meaning

This verse details the crucial step of transferring funds, collected for the repair of the Jerusalem Temple under King Joash, from the priests/overseers to the craftsmen. The money was weighed, a testament to its value and the ancient system of commerce, before being disbursed to the carpenters, builders, and other workers dedicated to restoring the House of the LORD. It emphasizes careful stewardship and direct allocation of resources for the sacred work.

2 Kings 12 11 Context

This verse is part of the narrative of King Joash's reign over Judah. Following a period of neglect and misuse of Temple resources, Joash initiated a reform to repair and restore the deteriorating Temple of the LORD. He established a system to collect funds from the people for this specific purpose (2 Kgs 12:4-9), bypassing previous protocols where funds were sometimes used by priests. Verse 11 specifically describes the moment of distributing these collected funds, signifying the commencement of the actual repair work after a period of diligent collection. The broader context highlights Joash's zeal for God's house and the importance of physical infrastructure for worship.

2 Kings 12 11 Word analysis

• And they gave the money, being weighed,

  • "Money" (כֶּסֶף, kesef): Refers to silver, which served as the primary form of currency and medium of exchange in ancient Israel. Value was determined by weight rather than coinage, emphasizing purity and quantity.
  • "being weighed" (שָׁקַל, shaqal): Indicates the ancient practice of assessing the exact value of silver by weighing it. This was critical for large sums to ensure precision, transparency, and prevent fraud, as a dishonest scale was an abomination (Prov 11:1). It highlights meticulous and accountable financial practices.

• into the hands of them that did the work,

  • "hands" (יָד, yad): Signifies direct control, authority, and responsibility.
  • "them that did the work" (עֹשֵׂי הַמְּלָאכָה, ose ha-melakhah): These are not necessarily the craftsmen themselves but rather the appointed overseers and managers of the Temple repair project, to whom the large sum was entrusted for distribution. This highlights a clear chain of command and delegation.

• that had the oversight of the house of the LORD:

  • "oversight" (פְּקֻדָּה, pequddah): Refers to a specific administrative duty, responsibility, or appointment. It signifies the role of trust and accountability placed upon these individuals regarding the Temple's finances and repairs. These were Levites and scribes (2 Chr 24:11), chosen for their integrity.
  • "house of the LORD" (בֵּית יְהוָה, beit Yahweh): The Jerusalem Temple, the central place of Israelite worship, signifying the sacred nature and divine importance of the task.

• and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders,

  • "laid it out" (יָצְאוּ, yatse'u, lit. "went out"): Indicates the disbursement or payment of the funds from the overseers to the actual craftsmen and laborers. This confirms the specific purpose of the collected money.
  • "carpenters" (חָרָשִׁים, harashim): Skilled artisans primarily working with wood.
  • "builders" (בּנִים, bonim): Those involved in construction, especially masons who worked with stone. The mention of these specific trades indicates the diverse scope of the Temple repair.

• that wrought upon the house of the LORD:

  • "wrought upon" (עֹשֵׂי, ose): "Performing" or "working upon," clearly linking the laborers directly to the repair efforts of the Temple, the sacred purpose for which the funds were collected.

2 Kings 12 11 Bonus section

The remarkable trust exhibited by King Joash and Jehoiada is highlighted in verse 15, which states they did not require an accounting from those handling the money "for they dealt honestly." This suggests the spiritual quality and trustworthiness of the appointed overseers were of utmost importance, validating their character above procedural checks common in other ancient societies. This principle of entrusting vital tasks to those with proven integrity continues to be a cornerstone in ministry and service within the Body of Christ, emphasizing character over mere credentials.

2 Kings 12 11 Commentary

2 Kings 12:11 provides insight into the practical and honest administration of funds for a divine purpose. The meticulous weighing of money underscored a commitment to integrity, crucial in an age predating coinage and official audits. This act was not merely about accuracy but about establishing and maintaining trust among all involved, from the public who donated to the laborers who performed the work. The transfer to appointed overseers before final disbursement to craftsmen like carpenters and builders highlights an organized structure, ensuring that resources were directly channeled to the restoration of God's sacred dwelling. This methodical approach reflects diligent stewardship and the high value placed on maintaining the physical structure central to their worship.