King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:5 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:5 in the King James Version says “And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of a...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.”

2 Chronicles 24:5 · KJV

Context

3

And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters.

4

And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD. to repair: Heb. to renew

5

And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.

6

And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?

7

For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.

Read 2 Chronicles 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.

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 · 26 words
וְקִבְצוּ֩1 of 26

“And he gathered together”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

אֶת2 of 26
H853

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

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים3 of 26

“the priests”

H3548

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

הַלְוִיִּֽם׃4 of 26

“Howbeit the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר5 of 26

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֡ם6 of 26
H0
צְא֣וּ7 of 26

“to them Go out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לְעָרֵ֪י8 of 26

“unto the cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֟ה9 of 26

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וְקִבְצוּ֩10 of 26

“And he gathered together”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

מִכָּל11 of 26
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל12 of 26

“of all Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כֶּ֜סֶף13 of 26

“money”

H3701

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

לְחַזֵּ֣ק׀14 of 26

“to repair”

H2388

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

אֶת15 of 26
H853

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

בֵּ֣ית16 of 26

“the house”

H1004

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

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם17 of 26

“of your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִדֵּ֤י18 of 26

“from”

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

בְּשָׁנָ֔ה19 of 26

“to year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּשָׁנָ֔ה20 of 26

“to year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וְאַתֶּ֖ם21 of 26
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מִֽהֲר֖וּ22 of 26

“and see that ye hasten”

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

לַדָּבָ֑ר23 of 26

“the matter”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וְלֹ֥א24 of 26
H3808

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

מִֽהֲר֖וּ25 of 26

“and see that ye hasten”

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

הַלְוִיִּֽם׃26 of 26

“Howbeit the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

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 24:5 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 24:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 12:4-72 Chronicles 21:22 Chronicles 29:32 Chronicles 34:8-9

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