King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 22:11 Mean?

2 Chronicles 22:11 in the King James Version says “But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber . So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

2 Chronicles 22:11 · KJV


Context

9

And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.

10

But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

11

But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber . So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

12

And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Evil family influence leading to destruction. 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 · 37 words
וַתִּקַּח֩1 of 37

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יְהֽוֹשַׁבְעַ֣ת2 of 37

But Jehoshabeath

H3090

jehoshabath, an israelitess

בַּת3 of 37

the daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ4 of 37

of king

H4428

a king

אֶת5 of 37
H853

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

יוֹאָ֣שׁ6 of 37

Joash

H3101

joash, the name of six israelites

בְּנֵֽי7 of 37

sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲחַזְיָ֛הוּ8 of 37

of Ahaziah

H274

achazjah, the name of a jewish and an israelite king

וַתִּגְנֹ֤ב9 of 37

and stole

H1589

to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive

אֹתוֹ֙10 of 37
H853

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

מִתּ֤וֹךְ11 of 37

him from among

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בְּנֵֽי12 of 37

sons

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ13 of 37

of king

H4428

a king

הֱמִיתָֽתְהוּ׃14 of 37

so that she slew

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וַתִּתֵּ֥ן15 of 37

and put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹת֛וֹ16 of 37
H853

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

וְאֶת17 of 37
H853

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

מֵֽינִקְתּ֖וֹ18 of 37

him and his nurse

H3243

to suck; causatively, to give milk

בַּֽחֲדַ֣ר19 of 37

in a bedchamber

H2315

an apartment (usually literal)

הַמִּטּ֑וֹת20 of 37
H4296

a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier

וַתַּסְתִּירֵ֡הוּ21 of 37

hid

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

יְהֽוֹשַׁבְעַ֣ת22 of 37

But Jehoshabeath

H3090

jehoshabath, an israelitess

בַּת23 of 37

the daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ24 of 37

of king

H4428

a king

יְהוֹרָ֡ם25 of 37

Jehoram

H3088

jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites

אֵשֶׁת֩26 of 37

the wife

H802

a woman

יְהֽוֹיָדָ֨ע27 of 37

of Jehoiada

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן28 of 37

the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

כִּ֣י29 of 37
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִיא֩30 of 37
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הָֽיְתָ֨ה31 of 37
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֲח֧וֹת32 of 37

for she was the sister

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

אֲחַזְיָ֛הוּ33 of 37

of Ahaziah

H274

achazjah, the name of a jewish and an israelite king

מִפְּנֵ֥י34 of 37

him from

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ35 of 37

Athaliah

H6271

athaljah, the name of an israelitess and two israelites

וְלֹ֥א36 of 37
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הֱמִיתָֽתְהוּ׃37 of 37

so that she slew

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


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 22:11 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 22:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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