King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 12:18 Mean?

2 Kings 12:18 in the King James Version says “And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem. went: Heb. went up

2 Kings 12:18 · KJV


Context

16

The trespass money and sin money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests'.

17

Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.

18

And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem. went: Heb. went up

19

And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

20

And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo , which goeth down to Silla. the house: or, Bethmillo


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 12: Religious reform and temple restoration. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical events. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. This passage occurs during the decline toward Israel's exile, demonstrating how persistent covenant unfaithfulness leads to national disaster.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 12 takes place during the declining years of the northern kingdom, 8th century BCE, culminating in exile in 722 BCE. The chapter's theme (Joash Repairs the Temple) reflects the historical reality of progressive political instability and external threats, particularly from Aram (Syria) and later Assyria. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 12 regarding religious reform and temple restoration?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וַיִּקַּ֞ח1 of 33

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

יְהוֹאָ֣שׁ2 of 33

And Jehoash

H3060

jehoash, the name of two israelite kings

מֶ֣לֶךְ3 of 33

and in the king's

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָה֙4 of 33

of Judah

H3063

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

אֵ֣ת5 of 33
H853

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

כָּל6 of 33
H3605

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

קֳדָשָׁ֔יו7 of 33

all the hallowed things

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

אֲשֶׁר8 of 33
H834

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

הִקְדִּ֣ישׁוּ9 of 33

had dedicated

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֣ט10 of 33

that Jehoshaphat

H3092

jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem

וִֽיהוֹרָם֩11 of 33

and Jehoram

H3088

jehoram, the name of a syrian and of three israelites

וַֽאֲחַזְיָ֨הוּ12 of 33

and Ahaziah

H274

achazjah, the name of a jewish and an israelite king

אֲבֹתָ֜יו13 of 33

his fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

מֶ֣לֶךְ14 of 33

and in the king's

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָה֙15 of 33

of Judah

H3063

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

וְאֶת16 of 33
H853

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

קֳדָשָׁ֔יו17 of 33

all the hallowed things

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְאֵ֣ת18 of 33
H853

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

כָּל19 of 33
H3605

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

הַזָּהָ֗ב20 of 33

and all the gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

הַנִּמְצָ֛א21 of 33

that was found

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְּאֹֽצְר֥וֹת22 of 33

in the treasures

H214

a depository

וּבֵ֣ית23 of 33

house

H1004

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

יְהוָ֖ה24 of 33

of the LORD

H3068

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

וּבֵ֣ית25 of 33

house

H1004

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ26 of 33

and in the king's

H4428

a king

וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח27 of 33

and sent

H7971

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

לַֽחֲזָאֵל֙28 of 33

it to Hazael

H2371

chazael, a king of syria

מֶ֣לֶךְ29 of 33

and in the king's

H4428

a king

אֲרָ֔ם30 of 33

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

וַיַּ֖עַל31 of 33

and he went away

H5927

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

מֵעַ֥ל32 of 33
H5921

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃33 of 33

from Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 12:18 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 Kings 12:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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