King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:11 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:11 in the King James Version says “Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses w...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed. to floor: or, to rafter”

2 Chronicles 34:11 · KJV

Context

9

And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.

10

And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and amend the house:

11

Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed. to floor: or, to rafter

12

And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.

13

Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.

Read 2 Chronicles 34 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's Word driving comprehensive spiritual renewal. 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 · 15 words
וַֽיִּתְּנ֗וּ1 of 15

“gave”

H5414

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

לֶחָֽרָשִׁים֙2 of 15

“Even to the artificers”

H2796

a fabricator or any material

וְלַבֹּנִ֔ים3 of 15

“and builders”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לִקְנוֹת֙4 of 15

“they it to buy”

H7069

to erect, i.e., create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own

אַבְנֵ֣י5 of 15

“stone”

H68

a stone

מַחְצֵ֔ב6 of 15

“hewn”

H4274

properly, a hewing; concretely, a quarry

וְעֵצִ֖ים7 of 15

“and timber”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

לַֽמְחַבְּר֑וֹת8 of 15

“for couplings”

H4226

a joiner, i.e., brace or cramp

וּלְקָרוֹת֙9 of 15

“and to floor”

H7136

to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)

אֶת10 of 15
H853

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

הַבָּ֣תִּ֔ים11 of 15

“the houses”

H1004

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִשְׁחִ֖יתוּ13 of 15

“had destroyed”

H7843

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

מַלְכֵ֥י14 of 15

“which the kings”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָֽה׃15 of 15

“of Judah”

H3063

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

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 34:11 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 34:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 33:4-72 Chronicles 33:22

Test Your Knowledge

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