2 Kings 12:9 kjv
But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD.
2 Kings 12:9 nkjv
Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one comes into the house of the LORD; and the priests who kept the door put there all the money brought into the house of the LORD.
2 Kings 12:9 niv
Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in its lid. He placed it beside the altar, on the right side as one enters the temple of the LORD. The priests who guarded the entrance put into the chest all the money that was brought to the temple of the LORD.
2 Kings 12:9 esv
Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in the lid of it and set it beside the altar on the right side as one entered the house of the LORD. And the priests who guarded the threshold put in it all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD.
2 Kings 12:9 nlt
Then Jehoiada the priest bored a hole in the lid of a large chest and set it on the right-hand side of the altar at the entrance of the Temple of the LORD. The priests guarding the entrance put all of the people's contributions into the chest.
2 Kings 12 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Kgs 12:4-5 | Jehoash said to the priests, "All the money...for the house of the Lord." | King Joash's initial decree for temple repair funds. |
| 2 Kgs 12:6-8 | But by the twenty-third year...the priests had not repaired. | Failure of earlier collection methods, necessitating Jehoiada's new approach. |
| 2 Kgs 12:10-14 | When they saw that there was much money...the king and Jehoiada paid. | How the collected money was utilized for the Temple repair. |
| 2 Chr 24:4-14 | Parallel account: Joash sets his heart to repair the house of the Lord. | More detailed and specific parallel narrative regarding the repairs. |
| Ex 30:11-16 | half a shekel...for the service of the tent of meeting. | Mosaic law regarding temple upkeep tax. |
| Num 3:28, 38 | The keepers of the charge of the sanctuary...camp before the tabernacle. | Priestly and Levite roles in guarding sacred spaces. |
| 1 Chr 9:18-27 | These were the gatekeepers of the thresholds...by lot, office by office. | Description of temple gatekeepers and their specific duties. |
| 1 Chr 29:6-9 | Then the leaders of fathers' houses...offered willingly to the Lord. | Example of voluntary and generous giving for Temple building. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the Lord with your wealth... | Principle of giving one's first and best to God. |
| Mal 3:10 | Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food. | Call to faithful and complete contributions to the sanctuary. |
| Mt 21:12-13 | Jesus entered the temple...and overturned the tables of the money-changers. | Emphasizes the sanctity of the temple against commercial exploitation. |
| Jn 2:16 | Jesus said to those who sold pigeons, "Take these things away." | Cleansing the temple; ensuring its proper use for worship and prayer. |
| Acts 4:32-35 | No one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own. | Early Christian communal sharing and transparent distribution of resources. |
| Acts 6:1-4 | seven men of good repute...to serve tables. | Appointment of deacons for fair and accountable distribution. |
| 1 Cor 16:1-3 | Now concerning the collection...on the first day of every week. | Instructions for systematic and orderly collection for the needy saints. |
| 2 Cor 8:12-15 | For if the eagerness is there... | Principle of proportionate and cheerful giving. |
| 2 Cor 8:20-21 | We take this precaution so that no one may blame us in this generous gift. | Paul's emphasis on transparency and integrity in handling collected funds. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart... | Emphasis on willing, joyful, and purposeful giving. |
| Php 4:18 | I have received full payment, and more...a fragrant offering. | Giving as a spiritual act of worship pleasing to God. |
| Ps 84:10 | For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. | Value placed on being in God's presence, even as a doorkeeper. |
| Dt 14:28-29 | At the end of every three years...you shall bring out all the tithe. | Regulations for regular community contributions to sustain sacred services. |
| Luke 16:10 | One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much. | Principle of integrity and stewardship in managing resources, great or small. |
2 Kings 12 verses
2 Kings 12 9 Meaning
This verse describes a practical and innovative measure implemented by Jehoiada the high priest under King Joash for the collection of funds to repair the desecrated and dilapidated Temple in Jerusalem. A dedicated chest was introduced with a hole bored into its lid, making it a secure collection receptacle. It was strategically placed next to the altar, at the common entrance of the Lord's house, symbolizing that giving was an act of worship and was to be transparent. The responsibility for depositing the money into this chest was given to the priests who served as doorkeepers or guardians of the threshold, ensuring an orderly and accountable process for gathering the contributions brought by the people for the Temple's restoration.
2 Kings 12 9 Context
2 Kings chapter 12 details the reign of King Joash (also called Jehoash) of Judah. He began his rule at seven years old under the spiritual guidance of Jehoiada the priest, who had saved him from the murderous hand of Athaliah. The Temple, neglected and plundered during Athaliah's idolatrous reign (2 Chr 24:7), was in a severe state of disrepair. King Joash commanded the priests to use dedicated money from various sources for the repairs (2 Kgs 12:4-5). However, by the twenty-third year of his reign, the priests had not acted (2 Kgs 12:6-8), leading to Jehoiada’s intervention. This verse describes the pragmatic and transparent system that Jehoiada instituted to collect funds efficiently and honestly, circumventing the previous ineffective and potentially corrupt practices by some priests, thereby facilitating the crucial restoration of the House of the Lord.
2 Kings 12 9 Word analysis
- And Jehoiada the priest: Refers to the faithful high priest who raised King Joash and spearheaded spiritual reforms. His position implies authority and trusted leadership in religious matters.
- took a chest: Hebrew: אַרְבַּע (ʾarbaʿ). This particular type of chest or box (also קֻפָּה - quppah in 2 Chr 24:8) was a novel concept for public Temple donations at the time, indicating a new, standardized collection system designed for communal giving, distinct from funds previously collected by individual priests. It highlights an innovative and practical solution.
- and bored a hole in its lid: Hebrew: וַיִּקֹּב חֹר בְּדַלְתּוֹ (wayyiqqōv ḥōr bədaltō). This detail signifies a system of anonymous giving and security, preventing direct handling of money by collectors at the point of deposit. It was designed to ensure transparency for contributors and to prevent accusation or temptation for those receiving the offerings.
- and set it beside the altar: The placement near the main altar, the focal point of sacrifice and worship, suggests that giving was understood as an act of worship and devotion to God. It made giving central to their religious practice and easy for worshipers.
- on the right side: Hebrew: עַל יַד הַמִּזְבֵּחַ מִיָּמִין (ʿal yaḏ hamizbēaḥ miyyāmîn). "On the right" generally denoted a place of prominence, favor, or a strategically accessible position. Here, it likely means the right side as one faces the altar or as one enters the Temple from the outer court, making it readily visible and accessible.
- as one enters the house of the Lord: Refers to the main entrance of the Temple courtyard accessible to the common Israelite. This positioning maximized visibility and convenience for worshippers to deposit their contributions as they came for services.
- and the priests who guarded the threshold: Hebrew: וְשֹׁמְרֵי הַסַּף הַכֹּהֲנִים (wəšōmərê hassap hakoḥanîm). These were gatekeepers, most likely Levites assigned to guard the Temple precincts and maintain order. Their involvement ensured accountability as they would oversee the collection and handle the actual emptying of the chest, reinforcing trust and integrity.
- put in it all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord: Hebrew: הַכֶּסֶף הַמּוּבָא בֵית יְהוָה (hakkesep hammûḇāʾ bêt Yahweh). Emphasizes that every monetary contribution for the Temple repairs was placed in this central, public, and secure receptacle. It signifies a shift from a potentially fragmented and unaccountable collection system to a unified and transparent one, ensuring that "all" the funds collected served their intended sacred purpose.
2 Kings 12 9 Bonus section
- The innovative collection method described here allowed contributions to be gathered directly from the public for specific temple repairs, distinct from other temple taxes or priestly dues.
- The system was a brilliant way to bypass previous channels of collection which had proven inefficient or had led to misallocation of funds, directly addressing the failings mentioned in 2 Kings 12:6-8.
- While 2 Kings uses "chest" (אַרְבַּע - ʾarbaʿ), the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 24:8 uses "coffer" or "box" (קֻפָּה - quppah), but the function and purpose remain consistent, signifying a new type of collection box introduced by Jehoiada.
- The success of this method is evident in subsequent verses (2 Kgs 12:10-14), showing that the large sums collected allowed the repair work to progress effectively. This highlights the blessings that accompany faithful and transparent stewardship.
2 Kings 12 9 Commentary
This verse stands as a testament to Jehoiada's wisdom and spiritual integrity, highlighting a pivotal moment in the Temple's history when financial transparency and accountability became paramount. His innovative approach, centered on a public donation chest overseen by trusted officials, was a practical solution to the problem of mismanagement and delayed repairs. It transformed the act of giving from a simple transaction into a participatory act of worship and stewardship, allowing the people to see their contributions directly funnelling towards the House of God. This system not only facilitated the crucial restoration of the Temple but also rebuilt public trust in its administration, demonstrating how proper organization and transparency are vital for maintaining the sanctity and functionality of God's dwelling place. It reminds us of the importance of integrity in handling communal resources for God's work.