2 Kings 12:13 kjv
Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basins, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD:
2 Kings 12:13 nkjv
However there were not made for the house of the LORD basins of silver, trimmers, sprinkling-bowls, trumpets, any articles of gold or articles of silver, from the money brought into the house of the LORD.
2 Kings 12:13 niv
The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD;
2 Kings 12:13 esv
But there were not made for the house of the LORD basins of silver, snuffers, bowls, trumpets, or any vessels of gold, or of silver, from the money that was brought into the house of the LORD,
2 Kings 12:13 nlt
The money brought to the Temple was not used for making silver bowls, lamp snuffers, basins, trumpets, or other articles of gold or silver for the Temple of the LORD.
2 Kings 12 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 12:11 | "And they gave the money, being told out, into the hands of them that did the work... to repair the breaches of the house." | Fund designated for repairs. |
| 2 Kgs 12:12 | "...to masons, and to builders; and to carpenters, and to hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the Lord." | Specific allocation of repair funds. |
| 2 Kgs 12:14 | "But they made therewith for the house of the Lord bowls, and censers, and spoons, and sundry vessels of gold, of the money that was brought into the house of the Lord..." | Confirms specific funds not used for vessels initially, but indicates other funds were later. |
| 2 Chr 24:8-14 | Parallel account of Joash's reign and temple repairs, confirming the special fund. | Historical corroboration of the policy. |
| 2 Chr 24:14 | "And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even bowls and spoons..." | Vessels made from remaining funds after repairs were done. |
| Exod 25:29 | "And you shall make its plates and its dishes, its bowls, and its flagons with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold." | Describes making specific sanctuary vessels. |
| Exod 30:18-21 | Details about the bronze laver for washing in the Tabernacle. | Priestly ritual items for Tabernacle service. |
| Exod 37:23 | "He also made its seven lamps and its wick-trimmers [snuffers] and its trays of pure gold." | Example of wick-trimmers (snuffers) for sanctuary. |
| Num 7:13 | Offering of "one silver plate weighing 130 shekels, one silver basin weighing 70 shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary..." | Presents details of vessels donated to the Tabernacle. |
| 1 Kgs 7:48-50 | Describes the gold and silver vessels Solomon made for the Temple. | Extensive list of valuable temple furnishings by Solomon. |
| Ezra 1:7-11 | Cyrus returning temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar. | Significance and value of sacred vessels. |
| Neh 10:32-33 | Dedication of a fixed portion of silver and other items for temple service and maintenance. | Systematic collection for temple needs. |
| Mal 3:8 | "Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and contributions." | Emphasizes proper use and integrity of offerings to God. |
| Jn 2:16 | "And he said to those who sold doves, 'Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.'" | Principle of honoring the sacred space of God's house. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" | Spiritual understanding of God's dwelling place. |
| Eph 2:21 | "In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." | Emphasizes the structural integrity of the spiritual temple. |
| Phil 4:18 | "...a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God." | Principle of acceptable offerings. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | "...the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth." | Importance of the church's foundation and stability. |
| Heb 13:16 | "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." | Practical application of stewardship and giving. |
| Matt 6:19-21 | "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Spiritual priorities vs. material possessions. |
2 Kings 12 verses
2 Kings 12 13 Meaning
This verse states that the money specifically collected for the repairs and restoration of the Temple, as managed by Joash and Jehoiada, was not to be used for purchasing or fabricating new ornate cultic vessels such as silver cups, snuffers, basins, trumpets, or any gold or silver vessels. It emphasizes that these particular funds were strictly dedicated to the physical structural integrity and necessary maintenance of the house of the Lord, rather than its ceremonial furnishings or opulent embellishments.
2 Kings 12 13 Context
King Joash (Jehoash) ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of seven, having been saved from Athaliah's purge by his aunt Jehosheba and raised by the priest Jehoiada (2 Kgs 11). By the twenty-third year of his reign, the Temple, neglected and perhaps even plundered during Athaliah's idolatrous rule, was in a state of serious disrepair (2 Kgs 12:5-6). Joash initiated a major repair project. Initially, funds were to be handled by the priests, but progress was slow (2 Kgs 12:7-8). Jehoiada then reformed the collection and distribution system, placing a chest at the Temple entrance where people could bring their offerings (2 Kgs 12:9-10). The money was regularly counted, tied into bags, and given directly to the project managers, who then paid the craftsmen and laborers (2 Kgs 12:10-12). This verse explicitly outlines that these specific funds, gathered for repairs, were not to be diverted for new, ornate cultic vessels. This policy highlighted a clear administrative and theological priority: restoring the fundamental structure of God's house before enhancing its lavish adornments.
2 Kings 12 13 Word analysis
- But: This conjunction (Hebrew: וְ 've') serves as a strong contrast, marking a specific limitation or exception to the general handling of the funds. It highlights what was done (repairs) versus what was not done with this particular money.
- there were not made: (Hebrew: לֹא נַעֲשֶׂה lo' na'aśeh - "not made/done"). This phrase signifies a deliberate policy or restriction. It was a conscious decision to refrain from certain expenditures.
- for the house of the Lord: Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, God's dwelling place among His people. The repairs were for this sacred structure, and the prohibition specifically concerns items for it.
- cups of silver: (Hebrew: סִפֹּות כֶּסֶף sîppôt keseph - "bowls/basins of silver"). These were likely libation vessels or bowls for collecting offerings/sacrificial blood. Their material (silver) indicates value.
- snuffers: (Hebrew: מְזַמְּרֹות mezammĕrōth - "trimming shears/wick trimmers"). These were small, specialized instruments used to trim the wicks of the lamps in the sanctuary, maintaining the light. This highlights the specificity of temple service items.
- basins: (Hebrew: מִזְרָקֹות mizrāqōth - "bowls for sprinkling"). Large bowls typically used in sacrificial rituals for collecting or sprinkling blood (Exod 24:6, Lev 1:5, Num 4:14). These are significant cultic implements.
- trumpets: (Hebrew: חֲצֹצְרֹות ḥaṣōṣərōt - "trumpets"). These were silver trumpets used by priests for signaling, calling assemblies, warfare, and at solemn festivals (Num 10:1-10). They were distinct, valuable ritual instruments.
- any vessels of gold: (Hebrew: כָּל־כְּלֵי זָהָב kol-kĕlê zāhāv - "all vessels of gold"). This is a catch-all term emphasizing that no gold items, despite their sacred symbolism and inherent value, were purchased with these funds.
- or vessels of silver: (Hebrew: כְּלֵי כֶסֶף kĕlê keseph - "vessels of silver"). This serves as a broad category, indicating that the prohibition applied to a wide array of precious metallic vessels for temple use. The repetition and specificity (cups, basins, snuffers) followed by a general term show thoroughness.
- of the money that was brought into the house of the Lord: This phrase explicitly identifies the source of the funds: the contributions specifically collected for the temple repairs, clearly distinct from other treasury funds. This underscores the administrative integrity and focused purpose of the fund.
2 Kings 12 13 Bonus section
The specific items listed as not being made from these repair funds (cups, snuffers, basins, trumpets, gold/silver vessels) were all integral and valuable cultic implements used in the Tabernacle and Temple rituals from the time of Moses and Solomon. Their deliberate exclusion from the repair fund indicates a nuanced understanding of priorities. While these items were essential for ongoing service, they were not considered part of the structural repair needs. This financial protocol under Jehoiada showcased an exceptional degree of transparency and focused stewardship, establishing a clear line between capital expenditure for maintenance and funds for new movable sacred furnishings. This administrative integrity served as a bulwark against potential abuse or personal enrichment often seen in ancient Near Eastern temple treasuries.
2 Kings 12 13 Commentary
This verse functions as a crucial clarification within the account of Joash's temple repair initiative. It clarifies that the funds meticulously collected by the people and disbursed through Jehoiada's streamlined system were strictly appropriated for the essential, foundational work of repair: fixing breaches, strengthening structures, and compensating the laborers and artisans (masons, carpenters, builders). The explicit listing of items not made from these funds—precious cups, snuffers, basins, trumpets, and other gold/silver vessels—highlights a wise and practical financial discipline implemented by Jehoiada the priest.
The underlying principle here is that the primary goal was functional restoration rather than aesthetic or ritualistic embellishment. The integrity and soundness of the building itself took precedence. This indicates a profound theological and administrative insight: it is futile to invest in ceremonial pomp when the very house of God is crumbling. Furthermore, it ensured that the people's generous contributions, intended for repairs, were used precisely for that purpose, building trust and maintaining accountability. It contrasts with later kings or periods where temple treasuries might be seen as sources for lavish display or even personal gain. This deliberate distinction likely served as a bulwark against corruption and misallocation, ensuring the sanctity of the collected funds. In 2 Chronicles 24:14, we learn that after the repairs were completed, the remaining money was then indeed used to make new vessels for the Temple service, reinforcing the order of priorities.