King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:9 Mean?

2 Chronicles 34:9 in the King James Version says “And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which th... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 34:9 · KJV


Context

7

And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem. into: Heb. to make powder

8

Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 27 words
הַמּוּבָ֣א1 of 27

And when they came

H935

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

אֶל2 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חִלְקִיָּ֣הוּ׀3 of 27

to Hilkiah

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֣ן4 of 27

priest

H3548

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

הַגָּד֗וֹל5 of 27

the high

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וַֽיִּתְּנוּ֮6 of 27

they delivered

H5414

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

אֶת7 of 27
H853

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

הַכֶּסֶף֮8 of 27

the money

H3701

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

הַמּוּבָ֣א9 of 27

And when they came

H935

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

בֵית10 of 27

into the house

H1004

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

אֱלֹהִים֒11 of 27

of 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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 27
H834

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

אָסְפֽוּ13 of 27

had gathered

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

הַלְוִיִּם֩14 of 27

which the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

שֹֽׁמְרֵ֨י15 of 27

that kept

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

הַסַּ֜ף16 of 27

the doors

H5592

a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)

מִיַּ֧ד17 of 27

of the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מְנַשֶּׁ֣ה18 of 27

of Manasseh

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וְאֶפְרַ֗יִם19 of 27

and Ephraim

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּמִכֹּל֙20 of 27
H3605

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

שְׁאֵרִ֣ית21 of 27

and of all the remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל22 of 27

of Israel

H3478

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

וּמִכָּל23 of 27
H3605

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

יְהוּדָ֖ה24 of 27

and of all Judah

H3063

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

וּבִנְיָמִ֑ן25 of 27

and Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַיָּשֻׁ֖ביּ26 of 27
H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃27 of 27

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


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 34:9 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 34:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study