2 Chronicles 34:10

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:

And they put {H5414} it in the hand {H3027} of the workmen {H6213}{H4399} that had the oversight {H6485} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and they gave {H5414} it to the workmen {H6213}{H4399} that wrought {H6213} in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, to repair {H918} and amend {H2388} the house {H1004}:

They gave it to the supervisors of the work being done in the house of ADONAI; and those doing the work in the house of ADONAI used it to repair and restore the house -

They put it into the hands of the supervisors of those doing the work of the house of the LORD, who in turn gave it to the workmen restoring and repairing the house of the LORD.

And they delivered it into the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of Jehovah; and the workmen that wrought in the house of Jehovah gave it to mend and repair the house:

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 34:10

This verse is set during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, a pivotal figure in the Old Testament known for his extensive spiritual reforms. At only eight years old, Josiah began to seek the God of David his father, and by his twelfth year, he started to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry (2 Chronicles 34:3). The repair of the Temple, God's house in Jerusalem, was a central part of this national revival. The previous verses detail how King Josiah sent his officials to Hilkiah the high priest to collect the money that had been gathered from the people for the Temple's restoration. Verse 10 describes the crucial step of entrusting these funds to the men responsible for carrying out the extensive renovation work.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Stewardship and Trust: The verse highlights the careful management of funds collected for sacred purposes. The money was not kept by the officials but immediately handed over to those directly responsible for the work, demonstrating a system of accountability and trust. This reflects the importance of integrity in handling resources dedicated to God's service.
  • Diligence and Order: The process described is highly organized. There were "workmen that had the oversight" (likely foremen or supervisors) and then the "workmen that wrought," indicating a structured approach to the massive task of repairing the Temple. This speaks to the value of diligence and proper administration in any endeavor, especially those for God's glory.
  • Restoration and Renewal: The ultimate goal was to "repair and amend the house of the LORD." This physical restoration of the Temple symbolized a greater spiritual renewal taking place under Josiah's reign, moving the nation away from years of neglect and idolatry back towards true worship of God.
  • Commitment to God's House: Josiah's proactive initiation of these repairs underscores a deep commitment to the sanctity and functionality of the place of worship. This commitment served as a model for the nation, encouraging participation in the revival.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "workmen that had the oversight" translates from the Hebrew term pĕqidim, which means "appointed ones" or "overseers." This implies that these were not just random individuals but trusted, designated personnel chosen for their reliability and skill in managing the project. The verbs "repair" (Hebrew: ḥazaq, meaning to strengthen, repair, or restore) and "amend" (Hebrew: badak, meaning to mend, reinforce, or make good) emphasize a thorough and complete renovation, not just superficial patching. This meticulous attention to detail underscores the reverence for the Temple.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 34:10 offers several timeless principles for believers today:

  • Integrity in Service: Just as the funds were handled with integrity, we are called to be faithful and transparent stewards of all resources, whether financial, time, or talents, that are dedicated to God's work (see 1 Corinthians 4:2).
  • Value of Diligent Work: The verse reminds us that all work done for the Lord, whether in leadership or as a laborer, should be performed with diligence and excellence. Every task, no matter how seemingly small, contributes to the larger purpose.
  • Spiritual Restoration: While the Temple was physically repaired, the underlying message is about spiritual restoration. We are encouraged to continually "repair and amend" areas of our lives that have fallen into disrepair, seeking renewal and growth in our walk with God.
  • Teamwork for God's Purposes: The collaboration between officials, overseers, and workmen illustrates the necessity of teamwork and diverse roles in accomplishing significant tasks for God's kingdom. Everyone has a part to play. This cooperative spirit is also evident in the later verses, describing the integrity of the workmen themselves (2 Chronicles 34:12).
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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 12:11 (2 votes)

    And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD,

  • 2 Kings 12:12 (2 votes)

    And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair [it].

  • 2 Kings 22:5 (2 votes)

    And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which [is] in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,

  • 2 Kings 22:6 (2 votes)

    Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.

  • Ezra 3:7 (2 votes)

    They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.

  • 2 Kings 12:14 (2 votes)

    But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD.