King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 22:11 Mean?

“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.”

Context

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.

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.

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.

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

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Jehoshabeath.**—Kings, “Jehosheba.” (Comp. “Elisheba,” Exodus 6:23; and Ἐλισάβετ (LXX.), Luke 1:7.) **The daughter of the king.**—Kings adds “Joram,” and “sister of Ahaziah.” **That were slain.**—*That were to be put to death.* **In a bedchamber.**—Literally, *in the chamber of beds, i.e.,* where the bedding was kept. (See Note on 2Kings 11:2.) **The wife of Jehoiada the priest.**—So Josephus. Thenius questions the fact, on the supposed grounds—(1) that the high priest did not live in the Temple; but the passage he alleges (Nehemiah 3:20-21) does not prove this for Jehoiada; and (2) that the chronicler contradicts himself in asserting that the priest’s wife also lived within the sacred precinct; but again his reference (2Chronicles 8:11) is irrelevant. Ewald calls the statement in question “genuinely historical;” and there is not the smallest reason to doubt it.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.