King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:12 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:12 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 24:12 · KJV

Context

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

14

And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada. to offer: or, pestils

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.

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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 · 24 words
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨הוּ1 of 24

“gave”

H5414

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

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ2 of 24

“And the king”

H4428

a king

וִיהֽוֹיָדָ֗ע3 of 24

“and Jehoiada”

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

אֶל4 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עוֹשֵׂה֙5 of 24

“it to such as did”

H6213

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

מְלֶ֙אכֶת֙6 of 24

“the work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

עֲבוֹדַ֣ת7 of 24

“of the service”

H5656

work of any kind

בֵּ֥ית8 of 24

“of the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָֽה׃9 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ10 of 24
H1961

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

שֹֽׂכְרִים֙11 of 24

“and hired”

H7936

to hire

חֹֽצְבִ֣ים12 of 24

“masons”

H2672

to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

לְחָֽרָשֵׁ֤י13 of 24

“and also such as wrought”

H2796

a fabricator or any material

לְחַדֵּ֖שׁ14 of 24

“to repair”

H2318

to be new; causatively, to rebuild

בֵּ֥ית15 of 24

“of the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָֽה׃16 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְ֠גַם17 of 24
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

לְחָֽרָשֵׁ֤י18 of 24

“and also such as wrought”

H2796

a fabricator or any material

בַרְזֶל֙19 of 24

“iron”

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

וּנְחֹ֔שֶׁת20 of 24

“and brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

לְחַזֵּ֖ק21 of 24

“to mend”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

אֶת22 of 24
H853

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

בֵּ֥ית23 of 24

“of the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָֽה׃24 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 24:12 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 24:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 5:152 Chronicles 34:9-11

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