2 Chronicles 24:8

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And at the king's {H4428} commandment {H559} they made {H6213} a {H259} chest {H727}, and set {H5414} it without {H2351} at the gate {H8179} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, at the king's order, they made a box and placed it outside the entrance to the house of ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

At the king’s command a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the house of the LORD.

American Standard Version

So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 24:8 details King Joash's decisive and transparent action to fund the much-needed restoration of the Jerusalem Temple. Following the initial failure of the priests to gather sufficient funds, Joash commanded the creation of a public collection chest, strategically placed at the outer gate of the Lord's house, thereby facilitating widespread community participation and ensuring accountability in the sacred endeavor. This pivotal moment underscores the king's commitment to God's dwelling place and the importance of communal stewardship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of King Joash's reign, specifically detailing his efforts to repair the dilapidated Temple. It follows the account of Joash's miraculous preservation from Athaliah's purge and his ascent to the throne at seven years old, largely under the righteous influence of Jehoiada the priest ([2 Chronicles 24:1-3](/2_chronicles/24-1 "2 Chronicles 24:1-3 - Joash's Early Reign")). The preceding verses describe Joash's initial, yet unsuccessful, command to the priests and Levites to collect money for the Temple's repair ([2 Chronicles 24:4-6](/2_chronicles/24-4 "2 Chronicles 24:4-6 - Joash's Initial Command for Temple Repair")), highlighting their negligence and the Temple's dire state due to Athaliah's desecration ([2 Chronicles 24:7](/2_chronicles/24-7 "2 Chronicles 24:7 - Athaliah's Desecration of the Temple")). Verse 8 introduces Joash's innovative and more effective solution, paving the way for the successful completion of the restoration work described in the subsequent verses ([2 Chronicles 24:9-14](/2_chronicles/24-9 "2 Chronicles 24:9-14 - Successful Temple Restoration")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Joash (Jehoash) ruled Judah from c. 835-796 BC. His early life was marked by the political upheaval caused by his grandmother, Queen Athaliah, who seized power and attempted to eradicate the Davidic line. Joash was saved by Jehoiada and raised in the Temple, which profoundly shaped his early reign. The Temple, built by Solomon, was not merely a place of worship but the spiritual and national heart of Judah, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Its disrepair, exacerbated by Athaliah's use of its sacred items for Baal worship, represented a spiritual decline. Culturally, the act of giving offerings for the maintenance of sacred spaces was a long-standing practice, rooted in the Mosaic Law and the construction of the Tabernacle ([Exodus 35:4-9](/exodus/35-4 "Exodus 35:4-9 - Offerings for the Tabernacle")). However, the specific method implemented by Joash—a public, accessible collection chest—was a novel approach designed to overcome the priests' inertia and foster greater public trust and participation, reflecting a pragmatic response to a pressing need.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the chapter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Decisive Leadership in Restoration**, as King Joash, despite his youth, takes proactive and direct action to address the spiritual and physical decay of God's house, demonstrating a commitment to divine priorities. Secondly, it emphasizes **Communal Participation and Stewardship**, providing a clear and accessible avenue for the entire community to contribute to the sacred work, thereby fostering a sense of shared responsibility for God's dwelling place. This resonates with the broader biblical principle of supporting the work of the Lord through offerings, as seen in passages like [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - Bringing the Whole Tithe"). Thirdly, the placement of the chest "without at the gate" underscores the theme of **Transparency and Accountability** in handling sacred funds, building trust between the leadership and the people, and ensuring that contributions were visibly directed towards their intended purpose. Finally, the entire initiative reaffirms the profound **Reverence for God's House**, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the physical structures dedicated to worship as a reflection of honor for God's presence and the sanctity of His name.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chest (אָרוֹן, _'aron_):** While famously used for the Ark of the Covenant, _'aron_ generally refers to a box, coffer, or chest. In this context, it denotes a collection box specifically designed to receive monetary contributions for the Temple repair. Its use here emphasizes its practical function as a receptacle for public donations, distinct from its more sacred usage for the Ark, yet still serving a holy purpose.
* **Without (חוּץ, _chutz_):** This adverb means "outside," "out of doors," or "in the open." Its placement here is crucial, indicating that the chest was not kept in a private or restricted area but was publicly accessible. This signifies a deliberate move towards transparency and ease of access for all worshippers entering the Temple courts, encouraging widespread participation.
* **Gate (שַׁעַר, _sha'ar_):** A gate in ancient Near Eastern cities and religious complexes was far more than an entrance. It was a bustling public square, a place of commerce, legal proceedings, communal gathering, and public announcements. Placing the chest "at the gate of the house of the LORD" meant it was in a highly visible, high-traffic area, maximizing its exposure to those entering and exiting the Temple, thereby facilitating offerings and reinforcing the public nature of the collection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And at the king's commandment":** This phrase highlights the royal authority and initiative behind the new collection method. It signifies Joash's decisive leadership, stepping in where the priests had failed, and underscores his commitment to the Temple's restoration as a matter of royal priority and divine obedience.
* **"they made a chest":** This clause describes the practical action taken in response to the king's decree. The "they" likely refers to the Temple officials or craftsmen acting under the king's direct instruction, indicating the immediate implementation of the new plan following the previous ineffective methods.
* **"and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD":** This crucial detail specifies the strategic placement of the chest. "Without" (outside the inner sanctuary) and "at the gate" (a public, high-traffic entrance) ensured maximum visibility and accessibility for all worshippers. This public placement was a deliberate act to encourage contributions, foster transparency, and demonstrate accountability in the collection process, contrasting sharply with the previous, less effective, and perhaps less transparent, priestly collection efforts.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message. The strategic placement of the chest "without at the gate" serves as a powerful **Symbolism** for transparency, accessibility, and communal responsibility in supporting God's work. The chest itself becomes a symbol of the people's renewed devotion and the king's commitment to righteous governance. The narrative demonstrates **Narrative Progression**, marking a turning point from the initial failure of the priests to a successful, divinely-blessed restoration effort, driven by the king's direct intervention. Furthermore, the phrase "house of the LORD" is a common **Metonymy** for the Temple, emphasizing its sacred purpose and divine ownership, even in its dilapidated state. The king's "commandment" underscores the **Authority** vested in the monarch for the spiritual well-being of the nation, reflecting the Davidic covenant's implications for righteous rule.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Joash's chest transcends a mere historical anecdote, offering profound theological insights into stewardship, communal responsibility, and the nature of worship. It underscores that the maintenance of God's dwelling place—whether the ancient Temple or the modern church—is a shared responsibility, not solely that of religious leaders. The transparency of the collection method reflects divine principles of integrity and accountability in handling sacred resources, fostering trust within the community. This act of communal giving for a tangible, visible purpose also serves as an act of worship, demonstrating the people's devotion and valuing God's presence among them. It illustrates that true spiritual revival often involves practical, collective efforts to honor God in all spheres, including the physical structures dedicated to Him.

* [Exodus 35:20-29](/exodus/35-20 "Freewill Offerings for the Tabernacle")
* [Nehemiah 10:32-39](/nehemiah/10-32 "Covenant to Support the Temple")
* [2 Corinthians 9:7](/2_corinthians/9-7 "Cheerful Giving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Joash's chest offers timeless principles for believers and faith communities today. It challenges us to consider our own responsibility in supporting the work of God's kingdom, whether through financial contributions, the generous offering of our time, or the diligent application of our talents. Just as Joash identified a need and implemented a clear, accessible solution, leaders in the church are called to discern the needs of their congregations and ministries, communicating them effectively and providing transparent avenues for participation. This account also reminds us that stewardship is not just about giving, but about the integrity with which resources are managed. The public placement of the chest fostered trust, and similarly, transparency in church finances builds confidence and encourages generosity. Ultimately, our willingness to contribute to and care for the physical and spiritual "house of the LORD" today reflects our reverence for God and our commitment to His ongoing work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does King Joash's initiative challenge our understanding of leadership in spiritual matters?**
* **In what ways can modern faith communities ensure transparency and accountability in their financial practices, mirroring the spirit of Joash's chest?**
* **What "dilapidated areas" in our spiritual lives or church communities might God be calling us to actively participate in restoring?**
* **How does our personal giving reflect our value for God's presence and work in the world today?**

### FAQ

**Why was a new method for collecting funds for the Temple repair needed?**

Answer: The initial method, where King Joash commanded the priests and Levites to collect the money directly from the cities of Judah, proved ineffective and slow ([2 Chronicles 24:5](/2_chronicles/24-5 "2 Chronicles 24:5 - Joash's Initial Command")). The text implies a failure on the part of the priests to diligently execute this command. The Temple was in a state of severe disrepair, partly due to the neglect and desecration by the wicked Queen Athaliah and her sons ([2 Chronicles 24:7](/2_chronicles/24-7 "2 Chronicles 24:7 - Athaliah's Desecration")). Joash's new method, involving a publicly placed chest, was a direct response to this failure, designed to streamline the collection process, make it more accessible to all people, and ensure transparency, thereby overcoming the previous obstacles and accelerating the much-needed restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 24:8 describes the repair of a physical edifice, it points forward to the ultimate repair and restoration accomplished through Jesus Christ. The dilapidated Temple, a symbol of God's presence among His people, foreshadows the brokenness of humanity and the need for a greater dwelling place of God. Jesus declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of His body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")). His death and resurrection represent the ultimate "repair"—the cleansing and rebuilding of the true Temple, which is His own resurrected body, and by extension, the Church, His spiritual body. Just as the people contributed to the physical Temple, believers today are living stones, built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")). The transparency of Joash's chest anticipates the open and accessible grace offered through Christ, who, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the sacrificial system, making a way for all to draw near to God. The care for God's house under Joash thus prefigures Christ's zealous cleansing of the Temple ([Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")) and His ultimate work of establishing a new covenant where God dwells not in buildings made with hands, but in the hearts of His people through the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")).

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

2 Kings 12:8

And the priests consented to receive no [more] money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house.

2 Kings 12:9

But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money [that was] brought into the house of the LORD.

Mark 12:41

¶ And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.