2 Kings 12 4

2 Kings 12:4 kjv

And Jehoash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD,

2 Kings 12:4 nkjv

And Jehoash said to the priests, "All the money of the dedicated gifts that are brought into the house of the LORD?each man's census money, each man's assessment money?and all the money that a man purposes in his heart to bring into the house of the LORD,

2 Kings 12:4 niv

Joash said to the priests, "Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the LORD?the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the temple.

2 Kings 12:4 esv

Jehoash said to the priests, "All the money of the holy things that is brought into the house of the LORD, the money for which each man is assessed ? the money from the assessment of persons ? and the money that a man's heart prompts him to bring into the house of the LORD,

2 Kings 12:4 nlt

One day King Joash said to the priests, "Collect all the money brought as a sacred offering to the LORD's Temple, whether it is a regular assessment, a payment of vows, or a voluntary gift.

2 Kings 12 verses

2 Kings 12 4 Meaning

2 Kings 12:4 states King Joash's directive to the priests concerning the financial management of the offerings dedicated to the Lord's house. It specifies three categories of money: general sacred offerings, money received from individuals according to a census tax, and funds from personal freewill vows or estimations. The purpose of this directive was to use these gathered monies for the repair and maintenance of the temple, which had fallen into disrepair. It marks Joash's early zeal for God's house, prompted by the priest Jehoiada, aiming to restore its proper function and reverence.

2 Kings 12 4 Context

2 Kings 12:4 immediately follows the account of Joash becoming king at seven years old and reigning righteously under the tutelage of the high priest Jehoiada (2 Ki 11:21-12:3). This verse initiates the description of Joash's early reforms, specifically focusing on the neglected Temple. For generations, the Temple had likely suffered from a lack of proper maintenance, potentially exacerbated by Queen Athaliah's period of Baal worship, where temple treasures may have been plundered or diverted (2 Chron 24:7). The historical context is a time of spiritual awakening and return to covenant with Yahweh after the idolatrous rule of Athaliah. The immediate task was to repair and restore the physical house of the Lord, making it functional for proper worship. This act by Joash mirrored previous royal actions of zealous kings (like Asa in 1 Ki 15:15), emphasizing a return to established religious practices. The chapter later details the execution of this directive, including how the money was collected and how it was managed by the priests and temple officials.

2 Kings 12 4 Word analysis

• And Joash said: The use of "said" (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer) indicates a direct royal command or decree. Joash, though young, held kingly authority. His initiative here demonstrates his early devotion to Yahweh under Jehoiada's influence (2 Ki 12:2).
• to the priests: Refers to the Levitical priests responsible for the Temple's spiritual functions and maintenance. However, as the chapter later reveals, the priests initially failed to implement the king's command effectively, leading to a revised approach (2 Ki 12:7-8). This highlights a potential challenge in delegation or a lack of accountability, necessitating direct intervention from the king and Jehoiada.
• "All the money of the dedicated things: Hebrew qodašîm (קְדָשִׁים), often translated as "holy things" or "dedicated gifts." This term broadly covers all sacred offerings brought by the people, encompassing various types of donations presented to the Lord or designated for sacred purposes within the Temple system. These were considered distinct from secular funds.
• which is brought into the house of the LORD: Refers to the physical collection point within the Temple, underscoring the purpose and destination of these funds: for the divine, specifically within God's chosen dwelling place. The "house of the LORD" (בֵּית יְהוָה - bêth Yahweh) is the Temple in Jerusalem.
• the money of every one that passeth the account: This phrase points to the census tax, specifically the "atonement money" (Ex 30:12-16) or the half-shekel temple tax levied during a census. It was a fixed amount required of every male twenty years and older, regardless of their wealth, serving as a reminder of their redemption and contributing to the maintenance of the tabernacle/temple. It signifies an obligation rather than a freewill gift.
• the money that every man is set at: Refers to funds from personal vows or assessments (Lev 27:1-8). Individuals could dedicate themselves, their property, or a portion of their income to the Lord, and if redeemed, a monetary value was "set" by the priest. This category emphasizes voluntary personal commitment and vows, often requiring monetary redemption rather than direct service or giving of the item itself.
• and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD: This describes spontaneous, freewill offerings, donations given out of personal desire or devotion without any prior vow, assessment, or census requirement. It highlights generosity prompted by spiritual conviction or gratitude, supplementing the more formal offerings. This shows that the Lord welcomed offerings beyond strict obligation.

2 Kings 12 4 Bonus section

The initiative for temple repair under Joash highlights a recurring pattern in Israel's history: periods of spiritual revival often accompanied by renewed focus on God's dwelling place. This also draws a parallel with later reforms under kings like Josiah (2 Ki 22) and Hezekiah (2 Chron 29-31), showing that neglect of the Temple was a symptom of spiritual backsliding and its restoration a sign of returning to God. The distinction between obligated offerings (census money) and freewill gifts speaks to the two dimensions of generosity God desires from His people: dutiful obedience and joyful giving. This approach provides a practical framework for maintaining the physical infrastructure that supports worship, a lesson relevant to the upkeep of religious structures across history.

2 Kings 12 4 Commentary

King Joash's directive in 2 Kings 12:4 reveals his, and primarily Jehoiada's, early spiritual foresight and administrative zeal for the proper upkeep of the Temple. The categorization of funds—general consecrated monies, the obligatory census-based atonement money, and personal freewill vows—demonstrates a comprehensive approach to financing the sacred edifice. This structure of funding, blending commanded obligation with spontaneous devotion, mirrors Mosaic principles found in the Pentateuch regarding Tabernacle construction and maintenance. The neglect of the Temple's physical structure signified a spiritual decline and disregard for God's presence among His people, making its restoration a crucial act of renewed covenant loyalty. Joash's command initiated a period of essential repair, which ultimately relied on both priestly integrity and communal generosity for its success, reflecting a principle that the upkeep of God's sanctuary is a collective responsibility supported by diverse forms of giving.