King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 24:6 Mean?

2 Chronicles 24:6 in the King James Version says “And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

2 Chronicles 24:6 · KJV

Context

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.

8

And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD.

Read 2 Chronicles 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

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 · 23 words
וַיִּקְרָ֣א1 of 23

“called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

הַמֶּלֶךְ֮2 of 23

“And the king”

H4428

a king

לִיהֽוֹיָדָ֣ע3 of 23

“for Jehoiada”

H3077

jehojada, the name of three israelites

הָרֹאשׁ֒4 of 23

“the chief”

H7218

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר5 of 23

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֗וֹ6 of 23
H0
מַדּ֙וּעַ֙7 of 23
H4069

what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?

לֹֽא8 of 23
H3808

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

דָרַ֣שְׁתָּ9 of 23

“unto him Why hast thou not required”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

עַל10 of 23
H5921

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

הַלְוִיִּ֔ם11 of 23

“of the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

לְהָבִ֞יא12 of 23

“to bring in”

H935

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

מִֽיהוּדָ֣ה13 of 23

“out of Judah”

H3063

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

וּמִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם14 of 23

“and out of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֶת15 of 23
H853

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

מַשְׂאַת֙16 of 23

“the collection”

H4864

properly, (abstractly) a raising (as of the hands in prayer), or rising (of flame); figuratively, an utterance; concretely, a beacon (as raised); a pr

מֹשֶׁ֣ה17 of 23

“according to the commandment of Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

עֶֽבֶד18 of 23

“the servant”

H5650

a servant

יְהוָ֔ה19 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְהַקָּהָ֖ל20 of 23

“and of the congregation”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל21 of 23

“of Israel”

H3478

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

לְאֹ֖הֶל22 of 23

“for the tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

הָֽעֵדֽוּת׃23 of 23

“of witness”

H5715

testimony

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 24:6 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 24:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 30:12-16Numbers 1:50Numbers 17:7-82 Samuel 24:3Numbers 18:2Acts 7:44

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 24 →

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