2 Chronicles 24:13

KJV

So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the workmen {H4399}{H6213} wrought {H6213}, and the work {H4399} was {H5927} perfected {H724} by them {H3027}, and they set {H5975} the house {H1004} of God {H430} in his state {H4971}, and strengthened {H553} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

The workers got on with their tasks, so that the restoration progressed well, until they had returned the house of God to its earlier condition and strengthened it.

Berean Standard Bible

So the workmen labored, and in their hands the repair work progressed. They restored the house of God according to its specifications, and they reinforced it.

American Standard Version

So the workmen wrought, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 24:13 succinctly describes the successful culmination of the Temple restoration project initiated by King Joash. Through the diligent and skilled labor of the workmen, the sacred "house of God" was not merely repaired but brought to a state of complete perfection, re-establishing its structural integrity and returning it to its original, proper condition. This verse marks a significant moment of spiritual and physical renewal for the nation of Judah under the early, righteous leadership of Joash and Jehoiada.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within the narrative of King Joash's reign in 2 Chronicles 24. It follows the account of Joash's early, faithful leadership under the guidance of the high priest Jehoiada, his efforts to gather funds for the Temple repair (2 Chronicles 24:4-11), and the subsequent commissioning of skilled laborers. The preceding verses detail the collection of the "tax of Moses" and the enthusiastic response of the people, which provided ample resources for the work. Verse 13 serves as the triumphant climax of this restoration effort, immediately preceding the description of the new Temple vessels made from the leftover funds (2 Chronicles 24:14). Tragically, this period of faithfulness is contrasted by Joash's later apostasy after Jehoiada's death, leading to the Temple's subsequent desecration and Judah's decline, as recounted in 2 Chronicles 24:17-27.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Temple in Jerusalem, originally built by King Solomon, had fallen into severe disrepair and even desecration during the tumultuous reign of Athaliah, Joash's grandmother (2 Chronicles 24:7). Athaliah, a devotee of Baal, allowed her sons to plunder and defile the Temple. Joash, having been hidden and then enthroned at a young age (2 Chronicles 23), was deeply influenced by Jehoiada, who had preserved him. The restoration project was not just a physical repair but a significant act of national repentance and renewed commitment to the God of Israel. Culturally, the Temple was the central place of worship, sacrifice, and the perceived dwelling place of God's presence among His people. Its dilapidated state reflected the spiritual decay of the nation, and its restoration symbolized a return to proper worship and covenant fidelity. The method of collecting funds through chests placed at the Temple gate was an innovative and effective way to involve the people directly in the sacred work.
* **Key Themes:** 2 Chronicles 24:13 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Chronicles. Foremost is the theme of **restoration and renewal**, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant people even after periods of decline, and the importance of human diligence in responding to His call. The verse also underscores the theme of **righteous leadership**, as Joash's early obedience, guided by Jehoiada, directly led to this successful outcome, contrasting sharply with the destructive reign of Athaliah ([2 Chronicles 22:10-12](/2_chronicles/22-10 "2 Chronicles 22:10-12 - Athaliah's Usurpation")). The **centrality of the Temple** as the physical embodiment of God's presence and the proper place of worship is also emphasized; its restoration signified a renewed reverence for God. Finally, the **diligence and excellence in service** of the workmen reflect a broader biblical principle that work done for God should be of the highest quality, as seen in the detailed instructions for the tabernacle in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wrought (Hebrew, עָשָׂה _asah_):** This verb means "to do," "to make," or "to work." In this context, it signifies the active, purposeful labor of the workmen. It implies not just casual effort but dedicated, hands-on engagement in the task of repair and construction. The use of this word emphasizes the human agency and industry involved in bringing the project to fruition.
* **Perfected (Hebrew, חָזַק _chazaq_):** This word carries the meaning of "to be strong," "to be firm," "to strengthen," or "to repair thoroughly." It suggests that the work was not merely superficial or temporary, but robust and complete. The Temple was not just patched up; it was made strong and stable, indicating a comprehensive and durable restoration that brought it to its intended state of structural integrity.
* **State (Hebrew, מַתְכֹּנֶת _matkonet_):** This noun refers to a "measure," "pattern," "proportion," or "proper state/condition." When the text says they "set the house of God in his state," it means they restored it to its original, prescribed, or appropriate condition and standard. It implies a return to the divinely intended design and functionality, not just a generic improvement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the workmen wrought":** This phrase highlights the active and diligent labor of the skilled individuals commissioned for the task. It emphasizes their commitment and the physical effort they invested in the restoration project, directly linking the success to their work.
* **"and the work was perfected by them":** This clause signifies the successful and complete execution of the repairs. The use of "perfected" (חָזַק) implies that the work was thorough, robust, and brought the Temple to a state of strength and stability, not just a superficial fix. It underscores the quality and comprehensiveness of their efforts.
* **"and they set the house of God in his state":** This means the workmen restored the Temple to its original, proper condition or standard. It suggests a return to the divinely intended design and functionality, implying that the structure was brought back to its former glory and sacred order, as it was meant to be.
* **"and strengthened it":** This final phrase reiterates and reinforces the idea of comprehensive restoration. It emphasizes that the Temple was made structurally sound and resilient, ensuring its durability for future generations. This is not just about aesthetics but about foundational integrity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively. **Emphasis** is achieved through the repetition and reinforcement of the idea of thorough completion and strength. Phrases like "perfected by them" and "strengthened it" convey a sense of comprehensive and lasting repair. The narrative also uses **Culmination** as a device, presenting this verse as the triumphant peak of the Temple restoration efforts under Joash's early reign, providing a satisfying resolution to the problem of the Temple's disrepair. Furthermore, the Temple itself acts as a powerful **Symbolism**. Its physical restoration symbolizes the spiritual renewal and renewed covenant faithfulness of the people and their king, reflecting a return to proper worship and reverence for God after a period of apostasy and neglect. The diligent work of the craftsmen also serves as an **Exemplum**, providing an example of dedication and excellence in service to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's desire for His dwelling place to be honored and maintained, and His willingness to bless diligent efforts towards restoration. The Temple's repair signifies a renewed commitment to God's presence and covenant among His people, reflecting a spiritual revival that began with Joash's early faithfulness. It underscores the principle that human effort, when aligned with divine purpose and guided by righteous leadership, can bring about significant and lasting renewal. The thoroughness of the work ("perfected," "strengthened") speaks to the biblical emphasis on excellence in all things done for the Lord, mirroring the detailed and precise instructions God gave for the building of the Tabernacle and the first Temple.

* [Ezra 6:14-15](/ezra/6-14 "Ezra 6:14-15 - Completion of the Second Temple")
* [Nehemiah 4:6](/nehemiah/4-6 "Nehemiah 4:6 - Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem")
* [Haggai 1:8](/haggai/1-8 "Haggai 1:8 - Rebuilding the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 24:13 offers a profound lesson on the importance of diligence, excellence, and the transformative power of restoration, both physically and spiritually. Just as the physical Temple, God's dwelling place, required dedicated effort to be brought back to its proper state, so too do our spiritual "houses"—our individual lives, our families, our churches, and our communities—often require intentional work to be restored and strengthened. This verse calls us to examine areas of neglect or disrepair in our own spiritual walk or in the collective body of Christ. It encourages us to approach tasks for the Lord, no matter how mundane, with the same commitment to perfection and thoroughness demonstrated by the workmen. Furthermore, it reminds us that true restoration is not just about superficial fixes but about rebuilding foundational strength and returning to God's intended design. This process often requires courageous leadership, collective effort, and a renewed reverence for God's presence among us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "spiritual houses" in your life or community might be in disrepair and require diligent "workmen" to restore them to their proper "state"?**
* **In what ways can you apply the principle of "perfected" and "strengthened" work to your service for God, ensuring excellence rather than mere adequacy?**
* **How does the success of this physical restoration encourage you about God's capacity and desire for spiritual renewal in your life or in the church?**
* **What role do you see yourself playing in the ongoing work of restoration and strengthening within your sphere of influence, whether as a leader or a diligent worker?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that the work was "perfected" and the Temple "set in his state"?**

Answer: The term "perfected" (Hebrew: `chazaq`) implies that the work was not just completed, but done thoroughly and robustly, bringing the structure to a state of strength and stability. It wasn't a superficial repair but a comprehensive restoration. "Set in his state" (Hebrew: `matkonet`) means the Temple was returned to its original, proper condition, standard, or design. This indicates that the goal was to bring the "house of God" back to its intended glory and functionality, as it was when first built, rather than merely making it functional. It speaks to a complete and high-quality restoration.

**Why was the Temple in disrepair in the first place, requiring such extensive work?**

Answer: The Temple had suffered significant neglect and even desecration during the reign of Queen Athaliah, Joash's grandmother. As recorded in [2 Chronicles 24:7](/2_chronicles/24-7 "2 Chronicles 24:7 - Athaliah's Sons Desecrate the Temple"), "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." This indicates not only structural damage but also the plundering of sacred items and the introduction of pagan worship, which led to the Temple's physical and spiritual decline. Joash's restoration was a direct response to this desecration and a move towards national repentance and renewed covenant fidelity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 24:13 describes the physical restoration of a material temple, its deeper fulfillment is found in Christ. Jesus declared, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")," speaking of the temple of His body ([John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")). Just as the physical Temple was God's dwelling place among His people, Christ is the ultimate and perfect dwelling place of God, "for in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). The diligent work of the craftsmen in restoring the earthly sanctuary foreshadows the perfect and complete work of Christ on the cross, which not only repairs but utterly perfects and strengthens the spiritual "house" of God's people. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus restores humanity to a right "state" with God, making us living stones built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), the church, which is His body and the new temple where God dwells by His Spirit ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone, Church as the Temple")). The thoroughness of the Temple's restoration points to the comprehensive spiritual renewal and strengthening that Christ provides, making us new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")) and enabling us to stand firm in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Haggai 2:3

Who [is] left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? [is it] not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?

1 Chronicles 22:5

And David said, Solomon my son [is] young and tender, and the house [that is] to be builded for the LORD [must be] exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will [therefore] now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

Nehemiah 4:7

¶ But it came to pass, [that] when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, [and] that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

Mark 13:1

¶ And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings [are here]!

Mark 13:2

And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.