King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 12:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 12:9 in the King James Version says “So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasu...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.”

2 Chronicles 12:9 · KJV

Context

7

And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. some: or, a little while

8

Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.

9

So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

10

Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king's house.

11

And when the king entered into the house of the LORD, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Divine discipline for unfaithfulness, mercy through humility. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיַּ֨עַל1 of 25

“came up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

שִׁישַׁ֥ק2 of 25

“So Shishak”

H7895

shishak, an egyptian king

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ3 of 25

“king”

H4428

a king

מִצְרַיִם֮4 of 25

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

עַל5 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֒6 of 25

“against Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיִּקַּח֙7 of 25

“all he carried away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת8 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֹֽצְרוֹת֙9 of 25

“and the treasures”

H214

a depository

בֵּ֣ית10 of 25

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֗ה11 of 25

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְאֶת12 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֹֽצְרוֹת֙13 of 25

“and the treasures”

H214

a depository

בֵּ֣ית14 of 25

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ15 of 25

“king”

H4428

a king

אֶת16 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֹּ֖ל17 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

וַיִּקַּח֙18 of 25

“all he carried away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

וַיִּקַּח֙19 of 25

“all he carried away”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת20 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מָֽגִנֵּ֣י21 of 25

“also the shields”

H4043

a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile

הַזָּהָ֔ב22 of 25

“of gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

אֲשֶׁ֥ר23 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֖ה24 of 25

“had made”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃25 of 25

“which Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 12:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 12:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 10:16-172 Chronicles 9:15-162 Kings 16:8Lamentations 1:102 Kings 18:15-161 Kings 15:18

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 12 →

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