2 Kings 12 14

2 Kings 12:14 kjv

But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 12:14 nkjv

But they gave that to the workmen, and they repaired the house of the LORD with it.

2 Kings 12:14 niv

it was paid to the workers, who used it to repair the temple.

2 Kings 12:14 esv

for that was given to the workmen who were repairing the house of the LORD with it.

2 Kings 12:14 nlt

It was paid to the workmen, who used it for the Temple repairs.

2 Kings 12 verses

2 Kings 12 14 Meaning

2 Kings 12:14 describes what the money collected for the repair of the Temple was explicitly not used for. While the funds were for the physical restoration of the house of the LORD, they were specifically not spent on creating new liturgical implements such as silver bowls, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets, or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple service. This highlights a clear distinction and diligent management of the consecrated funds for their intended purpose: the structural renovation of the Temple, not the acquisition of new ceremonial vessels.

2 Kings 12 14 Context

Chapter 12 of 2 Kings details the reign of King Joash (also called Jehoash) of Judah. At seven years old, Joash was made king under the guidance of the high priest Jehoiada, after his grandmother Athaliah's usurpation. The Temple, neglected and plundered during Athaliah's rule (2 Chr 24:7), was in a state of disrepair. King Joash took the initiative to repair the house of the LORD (v. 4). Initially, the money was to be collected directly by the priests from the people and used for repairs (v. 5), but this method proved ineffective (v. 6).

Joash and Jehoiada then devised a new system: a chest was placed by the altar into which offerings for the Temple were put (v. 9). When the chest was full, the king's secretary and the high priest would count and bag the money (v. 10). This money was then handed directly to the foremen who oversaw the workmen – carpenters, builders, masons, and stonecutters – and purchased timber and hewn stone (v. 11-12). Verse 14 makes a critical clarification: the collected money was strictly designated for these repair works. It was not used to fashion new valuable liturgical vessels, contrasting with practices from Solomon's time or potentially with times of temple misuse or enrichment, thus emphasizing financial integrity and the priority of structural restoration over ceremonial embellishment with this specific fund.

2 Kings 12 14 Word Analysis

• But (אַךְ – akh): This conjunction serves as a strong adversative, introducing a contrasting or restrictive statement. It marks a clear break from what might otherwise be assumed or was done with other temple resources, emphasizing the specific and limited use of these particular funds.

• they made no (לֹא יַעֲשׂוּ – lo ya'asu): The direct negation highlights a deliberate decision and policy. It indicates that the responsible parties (presumably the king, Jehoiada, and their overseers) consciously abstained from using these repair funds for anything other than their designated purpose. This negates the possibility of acquiring, fabricating, or adding to the existing inventory of temple articles with this specific money.

• bowls of silver (סִפּוֹת כֶּסֶף – sippot keseph):

  • Sippot: Derived from a root meaning "to draw, to collect," these were bowls or basins often used for collecting blood, water, or oil in cultic rituals. Examples include their use in the Tabernacle (Exod 24:6). Being made of "silver" (keseph) signifies their value and importance in temple service.

• snuffers (מְזַמְּרוֹת – mᵊzammᵊrōth): These were tools specifically designed for trimming or maintaining the wicks of the menorah (lampstand) in the Temple. They ensured the lamps burned brightly and cleanly (Exod 25:38, Num 4:9). Their specific function underscores their ceremonial and maintenance role.

• basins (מִזְרָקוֹת – mizrākōth):

  • Mizraqot: These bowls were typically used for sprinkling, particularly blood or other liquids during purification rituals or offerings (Exod 27:3, Num 4:14). Distinct from sippot, they emphasize another category of ceremonial vessels. Like sippot, they were likely of valuable material, here implicitly silver given the broader context of precious metals.

• trumpets (חֲצוֹצְרוֹת – ḥatzōtzrōth):

  • Hatzotzrot: These were specific metal trumpets (often silver, Num 10:2) used for various sacred purposes: signaling the assembly of the congregation, directing the journey of the camp, giving alarm for war, and sounding over sacrifices and festivals (Num 10:1-10). They were essential for the liturgical and communal life of Israel.

• nor any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver (וְכָלֵי זָהָב וּכְלֵי כָסֶף – vəkhālê zhāhāḇ ūḵəlê khāsep): This phrase serves as a catch-all, expanding the prohibition beyond the specifically listed items to include any type of utensil or article made of "gold" (zhāhāḇ) or "silver" (khāsep). This general category encompasses all the valuable implements used for ritual and cultic purposes within the Temple, underscoring the broad scope of what these funds did not cover.

  • Kelei: "vessels," "articles," "utensils," "implements."

• of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD (מֵהַכֶּסֶף הַמּוּבָא בֵּית יְהוָה – mēhakkeseph hamûvā bêṯ YHWH):

  • "The money": Emphasizes the specific origin and sacred nature of the funds – collections specifically given by the people for temple maintenance.
  • "House of the LORD": Clearly identifies the sacred space to which the offerings were dedicated. This phrase establishes the inviolability and specific purpose of these funds, ensuring accountability.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But they made no bowls...nor any vessels...of the money": This segment highlights the careful, perhaps even austere, management of the temple funds during Joash's reign for this specific project. It communicates that while these items (bowls, trumpets, etc.) are indeed sacred and valuable, the money raised for the structural repair of the Temple was not to be diverted for manufacturing new such items. This demonstrated fiscal discipline and integrity in stewardship of sacred funds, ensuring they were used for their explicitly stated purpose. The exclusion shows a prioritization of foundational needs over decorative or ceremonial additions at this juncture.

2 Kings 12 14 Bonus section

• The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 24:14 offers a nuanced addition: "And when they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, and it was made into vessels for the house of the LORD, utensils for ministering, and dishes, and silver and gold vessels." This indicates that while the initial, dedicated funds for repairs were not used for vessels, any surplus money after the repairs were completed was then allocated for creating new vessels. This shows meticulous accounting and management of temple funds, demonstrating that sacred objects were not devalued but simply procured from separate, leftover funds after the primary repair mission was fulfilled.
• This specific management of funds could be seen as an act of faithfulness in a broader sense, emphasizing that God's house is built upon integrity and sound practice, not just grand ceremonies or valuable artifacts alone. The emphasis shifts from opulence to diligent care.
• The enumeration of specific items (bowls, snuffers, basins, trumpets) is important. These are not merely decorative pieces but functionally essential items for temple rituals as prescribed in the Mosaic Law, emphasizing that even such important ceremonial objects were not made from these specific repair funds.

2 Kings 12 14 Commentary

2 Kings 12:14 serves as a testament to the fiscal integrity and clear priorities observed during King Joash's temple repair initiative. The verse highlights that the funds specifically collected for "repairing the damage" (v. 5) were diligently applied solely to the structural renovation and upkeep of the physical building. This was a critical policy for several reasons: it prevented misappropriation, ensured focused stewardship, and avoided any perceived embellishment at the expense of core maintenance. Unlike Solomon's initial temple construction which included extensive new vessels (1 Kgs 7:48-50), Joash's project was one of restoration, thus the need for structural components took precedence over acquiring new ceremonial items, even those used in worship. This careful distinction might also serve as an implicit corrective to potential misuse or less stringent practices in previous eras, signaling a renewed commitment to holiness and responsible financial management within the Lord's house. It reinforces the principle that consecrated offerings have a designated purpose and must be stewarded faithfully, honoring both the giver's intent and God's holiness.