King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:23 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:23 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerus...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. at the: Heb. in the revolution of the year Damascus: Heb. Darmesek”

2 Chronicles 24:23 · KJV

Context

21

And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

22

Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.

23

And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. at the: Heb. in the revolution of the year Damascus: Heb. Darmesek

24

For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.

25

And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.

Read 2 Chronicles 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.

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 · 22 words
וַיְהִ֣י׀1 of 22
H1961

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

לִתְקוּפַ֣ת2 of 22

“And it came to pass at the end”

H8622

a revolution, i.e., (of the sun) course, (of time) lapse

הַשָּׁנָ֗ה3 of 22

“of the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

עָלָ֣ה4 of 22

“came up”

H5927

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

עָלָיו֮5 of 22
H5921

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

חֵ֣יל6 of 22

“that the host”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

אֲרָם֒7 of 22

“of Syria”

H758

aram or syria, and its inhabitants; also the name of the son of shem, a grandson of nahor, and of an israelite

וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ8 of 22

“against him and they came”

H935

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

אֶל9 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוּדָה֙10 of 22

“to Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם11 of 22

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיַּשְׁחִ֛יתוּ12 of 22

“and destroyed”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

אֶת13 of 22
H853

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

כָּל14 of 22
H3605

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

שָׂרֵ֥י15 of 22

“all the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מֵעָ֑ם16 of 22

“from among the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מֵעָ֑ם17 of 22

“from among the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְכָל18 of 22
H3605

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

שְׁלָלָ֥ם19 of 22

“all the spoil”

H7998

booty

שִׁלְּח֖וּ20 of 22

“and sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְמֶ֥לֶךְ21 of 22

“of them unto the king”

H4428

a king

דַּרְמָֽשֶׂק׃22 of 22

“of Damascus”

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

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 24:23 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 24:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 12:17-18Psalms 2:10-11Deuteronomy 32:35Psalms 82:6-72 Chronicles 24:17-181 Kings 20:22

Places in This Verse

DamascusSettlement · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E58 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
Syria 1Region · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E89 verses across 10 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 24 →

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