2 Kings 12 15

2 Kings 12:15 kjv

Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.

2 Kings 12:15 nkjv

Moreover they did not require an account from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to be paid to workmen, for they dealt faithfully.

2 Kings 12:15 niv

They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.

2 Kings 12:15 esv

And they did not ask for an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to pay out to the workmen, for they dealt honestly.

2 Kings 12:15 nlt

No accounting of this money was required from the construction supervisors, because they were honest and trustworthy men.

2 Kings 12 verses

2 Kings 12 15 Meaning

The verse describes the system of trust employed during the temple repairs in the reign of King Joash. It highlights that the men entrusted with disbursing the collected funds to the workmen were not required to provide a detailed accounting or audit of the money they handled. This exceptional measure was taken because their consistent and proven integrity meant they were entirely trusted to manage the sacred funds honestly and accurately. It underscores the high value placed on personal faithfulness in ancient Israelite administration, particularly concerning matters related to God's temple.

2 Kings 12 15 Context

2 Kings 12 details King Joash’s efforts to repair and restore the temple in Jerusalem, which had fallen into disrepair, particularly during the apostate reign of Athaliah. Joash, influenced by Jehoiada the priest, initiates a collection for the temple repair fund. Initially, the process of handling the money by the priests was not effective (vv. 7-8). Jehoiada then introduces a revised and more secure system, collecting money directly from the people into a chest, counting it, and placing it into bags (vv. 9-11). This verse, 2 Kings 12:15, highlights a specific, critical aspect of this system: the unparalleled trust placed in the overseers or foremen who disbursed the funds to the workmen. While the general system improved accountability, an exception was made for these particular individuals, signaling their exceptional and recognized integrity.

2 Kings 12 15 Word analysis

• And they did not ask an accounting: The Hebrew phrase for "ask an accounting" (לא בקשו חשבון, lō biqqĕshū ḥešbôn) indicates that no detailed audit or demand for receipts and ledgers was made. The term ḥešbôn (חשבון) literally means reckoning or calculation. This signifies an extraordinary level of confidence in the financial managers. In a time where detailed record-keeping was practiced, as evidenced by Mesopotamian and Egyptian administrative texts, this omission for these specific men is a strong commendation, not a lack of oversight for others.
• from the men: The original Hebrew here is simply "from the men" (מידי האנשים, mîde ha’anāšîm). These were likely designated officials or trusted individuals directly responsible for overseeing the repairs, possibly the ones mentioned as "those who had the oversight of the work of the house of the Lord" in 2 Ki 12:11. Their identity emphasizes a personal character attribute rather than an institutional policy.
• into whose hand the money was delivered: The "hand" (יד, yad) often symbolizes authority, control, or power. Money was placed under their direct control for its designated purpose. This suggests delegation of significant responsibility.
• to pay out to the workmen: Literally, "to give to the doers of the work" (לשאת בידי העשים, lāśē't bîdē hā'ośîm). This refers to the master craftsmen and laborers (masons, carpenters, builders, etc.) actually performing the repairs. The money was specifically for wages and materials, highlighting practical and direct use of funds.
• for they dealt faithfully: The pivotal phrase is "they dealt faithfully" (כי באמונה הם עשים, kî ba'ĕmūnâ hēm ‘ōśîm). The noun ’ĕmūnâ (אֱמוּנָה) is profound, rooted in 'āman (אמן), meaning firmness, stability, trustworthiness, truth, fidelity. It is the very characteristic of God Himself (Dt 32:4, Ps 36:5). Here, it attributes the highest degree of reliability and integrity to these individuals. Their actions were characterized by unswerving honesty and reliability, so much so that no formal checks were deemed necessary for them specifically. This is a rare biblical commendation, demonstrating earned trust through consistent ethical conduct.

2 Kings 12 15 Bonus section

• The extraordinary nature of the trust described in 2 Kings 12:15 underscores the rarity and value of such faithfulness. In ancient Near Eastern societies, where corruption and misuse of funds were common concerns, such explicit confidence would have been remarkable.
• This verse stands in stark contrast to numerous other biblical instances where detailed audits, inventories, and careful records of offerings and expenditures were strictly maintained, highlighting that the deviation here was due to exceptional character, not a general practice. This detail may also implicitly commend Joash and Jehoiada for their discernment in identifying truly trustworthy individuals.
• The integrity demonstrated by these nameless individuals serving in the temple reflects the core biblical teaching that a person’s inner character—their emunah—is of paramount importance in the sight of God and crucial for any form of responsible stewardship, especially within His kingdom's affairs.

2 Kings 12 15 Commentary

2 Kings 12:15 presents an unusual testament to exemplary character and trustworthiness within the sacred work of God's temple. While principles of good stewardship generally demand careful accounting (as seen in Ezra's detailed recording of temple treasures or Nehemiah's appointment of specific treasurers), this verse highlights a situation where such customary checks were forgone. This was not due to a flawed administrative policy or neglect, but rather because the specific men handling the disbursement of the temple repair funds had demonstrated such consistent and profound faithfulness (אמונה, emunah) that their integrity was beyond question. Their conduct served as a living audit. This specific detail serves as a strong biblical affirmation of how integrity, when consistently demonstrated, builds an unparalleled level of trust. It suggests that while systems and structures are vital for accountability, they are ultimately secondary to the personal character of those entrusted with resources, particularly in God’s service. This example provides a high standard for those handling sacred resources or responsibilities in any era.