King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:11 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:11 in the King James Version says “Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.

2 Chronicles 24:11 · KJV


Context

9

And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness. a proclamation: Heb. a voice

10

And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.

11

Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.

12

And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.

13

So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it. the work: Heb. the healing went up upon the work


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Initial faithfulness deteriorating after mentor's death. 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 34 words
וַיְהִ֡י1 of 34
H1961

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

בְּעֵת֩2 of 34

Now it came to pass that at what time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

וּבָ֨א3 of 34

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת4 of 34
H853

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

הָ֣אָר֔וֹן5 of 34

the chest

H727

a box

אֶל6 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פְּקֻדַּ֣ת7 of 34

office

H6486

visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙8 of 34

the king's

H4428

a king

בְּיַ֣ד9 of 34

by the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַלְוִיִּם֒10 of 34

of the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וְכִרְאוֹתָ֞ם11 of 34

and when they saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

כִּי12 of 34
H3588

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

רַ֣ב13 of 34

that there was much

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

כֶ֖סֶף14 of 34

money

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וּבָ֨א15 of 34

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

סוֹפֵ֤ר16 of 34

scribe

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙17 of 34

the king's

H4428

a king

וּפְקִיד֙18 of 34

officer

H6496

a superintendent (civil, military or religious)

כֹּהֵ֣ן19 of 34

priest's

H3548

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

הָרֹ֔אשׁ20 of 34

and the high

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וִיעָ֙רוּ֙21 of 34

and emptied

H6168

to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish

אֶת22 of 34
H853

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

הָ֣אָר֔וֹן23 of 34

the chest

H727

a box

וְיִשָּׂאֻ֖הוּ24 of 34

and took

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

וִֽישִׁיבֻ֣הוּ25 of 34

again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל26 of 34
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְקֹמ֑וֹ27 of 34

it to his place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

כֹּ֤ה28 of 34
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

עָשׂוּ֙29 of 34

Thus they did

H6213

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

בְּי֔וֹם30 of 34

by day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בְּי֔וֹם31 of 34

by day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וַיַּֽאַסְפוּ32 of 34

and gathered

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

כֶ֖סֶף33 of 34

money

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

לָרֹֽב׃34 of 34

in abundance

H7230

abundance (in any respect)


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 24:11 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 24:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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