2 Kings 12:7

KJV

Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the [other] priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no [more] money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then king {H4428} Jehoash {H3060} called {H7121} for Jehoiada {H3077} the priest {H3548}, and the other priests {H3548}, and said {H559} unto them, Why repair {H2388} ye not the breaches {H919} of the house {H1004}? now therefore receive {H3947} no more money {H3701} of your acquaintance {H4378}, but deliver {H5414} it for the breaches {H919} of the house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So King Y'ho'ash summoned Y'hoyada the cohen and the other cohanim and said to them, "Why aren't you repairing the damaged places in the house? Therefore, you are no longer to take money from those who contribute it personally to you; you must hand it over to be used for repairing the damage in the house."

Berean Standard Bible

So King Joash called Jehoiada and the other priests and said, “Why have you not repaired the damage to the temple? Now, therefore, take no more money from your constituency, but hand it over for the repair of the temple.”

American Standard Version

Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and for the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore take no more money from your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Jehoash, having matured into his reign, confronts the high priest Jehoiada and the other priests regarding their prolonged failure to repair the significant "breaches" in the Temple. After twenty-three years of an ineffective system for collecting funds, Jehoash decisively intervenes, commanding an immediate cessation of the previous method of personal collection and demanding that all future contributions be directly applied to the urgent restoration of God's house in Jerusalem. This verse marks a critical turning point where the king asserts his authority to ensure the proper stewardship and sanctity of the sacred worship space.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of King Jehoash's reign, which began remarkably at the tender age of seven, having been saved from his grandmother Athaliah's murderous purge by the faithful high priest Jehoiada ([2 Kings 11](/2_kings/11 "2 Kings 11 - Jehoash Becomes King")). Under Jehoiada's guidance, Jehoash initially "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord" ([2 Kings 12:2](/2_kings/12-2 "2 Kings 12:2 - Jehoash's Righteous Reign")). An early priority was the repair of the Temple, which had suffered neglect and even desecration during Athaliah's idolatrous rule. [2 Kings 12:4-5](/2_kings/12-4 "2 Kings 12:4-5 - Initial Temple Repair Plan") outlines the initial plan for funding the repairs through various offerings. However, [2 Kings 12:6](/2_kings/12-6 "2 Kings 12:6 - Priests Fail to Repair") reveals that after twenty-three years of Jehoash's reign, the priests had still not completed the work. [2 Kings 12:7](/2_kings/12-7 "2 Kings 12:7 - Jehoash Confronts the Priests") marks Jehoash's direct intervention, confronting the priests and instituting a new, more centralized system for managing the Temple funds, which is then detailed in [2 Kings 12:8-16](/2_kings/12-8 "2 Kings 12:8-16 - The New System for Temple Repairs").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jerusalem Temple was not merely a building but the central locus of Israelite worship, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people, and a symbol of national identity and covenant fidelity. During the six-year reign of Queen Athaliah, a zealous worshiper of Baal, the Temple had been severely neglected and likely desecrated, with its sacred vessels even being used for Baal worship ([2 Chronicles 24:7](/2_chronicles/24-7 "2 Chronicles 24:7 - Athaliah's Sons Desecrate the Temple")). The high priest Jehoiada played a crucial role in preserving the Davidic line and restoring legitimate worship. The system of Temple maintenance relied on offerings from the people, often collected by priests. The inefficiency or potential for misuse in the previous system, where priests collected money "of their acquaintance," likely stemmed from a lack of clear oversight and direct application of funds, leading to the prolonged disrepair that Jehoash observed.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **accountability in leadership**, as King Jehoash, now a mature ruler, holds the priests directly responsible for their failure to execute their sacred duties. This demonstrates his commitment to proper governance and divine service, contrasting with the previous priestly inaction. Secondly, it highlights the paramount importance of **stewardship of God's house**, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining and revering the physical space dedicated to Yahweh. The "breaches of the house" symbolize not only physical decay but also a spiritual laxity that needed urgent rectification. Thirdly, the passage showcases **reform and initiative**, as Jehoash doesn't merely lament the problem but proactively proposes a new, more effective system for collecting and managing funds, demonstrating a practical approach to problem-solving and a zeal for God's work. Finally, it speaks to the **prioritization of sacred duties**, as the king's command to change the collection method implies a potential conflict of interest or inefficiency in the old system, where personal collections may have overshadowed the direct and immediate application of funds to the Temple's pressing needs.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jehoash (Hebrew, _Yeho'ash'_):** This name, meaning "Yahweh has given" or "Yahweh has sustained," is highly significant given the king's miraculous survival from Athaliah's purge. His very existence was a gift from Yahweh, and his actions here in restoring the Temple demonstrate a commitment to the God who preserved him. His mature intervention in this verse marks a pivotal moment where he steps out of Jehoiada's shadow and asserts his divinely-given authority for the good of the kingdom and the worship of God.
* **breaches (Hebrew, _bedeq'_):** This term literally means "fissure," "crack," or "damage." It vividly describes the physical dilapidation of the Temple structure, which had been neglected for decades, perhaps even actively damaged during Athaliah's reign. The repeated use of this word throughout the chapter emphasizes the dire state of God's house and the urgency of its repair. It speaks to a visible decay that was both an affront to God's holiness and a stumbling block to proper worship.
* **acquaintance (Hebrew, _makkar'_):** This word refers to a "known one" or "friend." The phrase "receive no more money of your acquaintance" points to the previous system where priests collected funds personally from individuals, perhaps from their own circles or those they knew. While not necessarily implying corruption, it strongly suggests that this method was inefficient, lacked transparency, or allowed for funds to be diverted or delayed, preventing their prompt and entire direction to the Temple's pressing needs. This inefficiency necessitated the king's direct intervention and the implementation of a new, more centralized and accountable system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the [other] priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house?":** This opening clause highlights King Jehoash's decisive initiative. After twenty-three years of his reign, during which the Temple repairs had stalled, he directly confronts the spiritual leadership. The rhetorical question, "Why repair ye not the breaches of the house?", is a sharp rebuke, exposing their negligence and demanding accountability for their failure to fulfill their sacred duty to maintain God's dwelling place. It underscores the king's growing maturity and his commitment to the proper functioning of the national worship.
* **"now therefore receive no [more] money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house."**: This second clause presents Jehoash's immediate and practical solution to the problem. He issues a clear directive to cease the old, inefficient method of personal collection ("receive no more money of your acquaintance"). Instead, he mandates that all funds collected must be directly and solely "deliver[ed] for the breaches of the house." This command signals a shift to a more centralized and transparent system of collection and application, ensuring that resources are directly channeled to the intended purpose of Temple restoration, as later detailed in the chapter.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several effective **literary devices** to convey its message. **Direct Discourse** is prominent, as Jehoash's words are quoted verbatim, lending immediacy and authority to his command. The king's question, "Why repair ye not the breaches of the house?", functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit information but to underscore the priests' glaring failure and to shame them into action. There is an implicit **Contrast** drawn between the previous, inefficient system of personal collection and the new, more direct and accountable method Jehoash institutes. Furthermore, the "breaches of the house" serve as a potent **Symbolism** or **Metonymy**, representing not only the physical decay of the Temple structure but also a broader spiritual laxity and neglect of sacred duties that had permeated the priestly administration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage from 2 Kings 12:7 resonates deeply with core biblical themes of stewardship, accountability, and the sanctity of God's dwelling. The Temple, as the physical manifestation of God's presence among His people, demanded meticulous care and reverence. Its disrepair was not merely an architectural problem but a theological one, reflecting a spiritual decline and a failure of those entrusted with its care to prioritize God's honor. Jehoash's intervention underscores the principle that those in positions of leadership, whether spiritual or temporal, are accountable to God for the diligent execution of their responsibilities, especially concerning His worship and the well-being of His people. The king's zeal for the Temple foreshadows a consistent biblical emphasis on the importance of maintaining purity and order in worship, and ensuring that resources dedicated to God's work are managed with integrity and efficiency.

* [Haggai 1:4](/haggai/1-4 "Haggai 1:4 - Neglecting God's House")
* [Malachi 3:10](/malachi/3-10 "Malachi 3:10 - Bringing the Whole Tithe")
* [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Jehoash's decisive action in 2 Kings 12:7 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and communities. Just as the physical Temple in Jerusalem required constant maintenance and repair, our spiritual "houses"—whether our individual lives, our local churches, or our collective witness—are susceptible to "breaches" of neglect, apathy, or misdirection of resources. This passage calls us to a posture of diligent stewardship, recognizing that everything we have, including our time, talents, and treasures, belongs to God and should be used for His glory. It challenges us to confront inefficiencies or complacency in our spiritual practices and communal ministries, much like Jehoash confronted the priests. We are reminded that true leadership involves not just identifying problems but proactively implementing practical solutions, ensuring accountability, and prioritizing the work of God above personal convenience or outdated methods. This demands spiritual integrity, a willingness to challenge the status quo for the sake of faithfulness, and a fervent zeal for the purity and effectiveness of God's work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "breaches" or areas of neglect might exist in my personal spiritual life or in my local church community that need attention and repair?**
* **In what ways am I, or are we as a community, called to greater accountability in our stewardship of God-given resources (time, talent, treasure)?**
* **How can I, like King Jehoash, take initiative to address problems directly and seek practical, effective solutions for the flourishing of God's work?**
* **Am I prioritizing God's work and purposes above personal comfort, convenience, or ineffective traditions?**

### FAQ
**What was the initial plan for Temple repairs that proved ineffective?**

Answer: The initial plan for Temple repairs is detailed in [2 Kings 12:4-5](/2_kings/12-4 "2 Kings 12:4-5 - Initial Temple Repair Plan"). It stipulated that money collected from various sources—including "all the money that cometh into the house of the Lord, even the money of every one that passeth the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring to the house of the Lord"—was to be given to the priests, who were then responsible for using it to repair the Temple. This system, however, proved to be inefficient, as the repairs were not completed even after twenty-three years of Jehoash's reign.

**Why did King Jehoash intervene after 23 years of his reign?**

Answer: King Jehoash intervened after 23 years because, as [2 Kings 12:6](/2_kings/12-6 "2 Kings 12:6 - Priests Fail to Repair") explicitly states, "the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house." Despite the initial decree and the ongoing collection of funds, the Temple remained in disrepair. This prolonged failure indicated a significant problem with the existing system of management and accountability among the priests. Jehoash, having matured and perhaps observing the continued neglect, recognized the need for a direct and forceful intervention to rectify the situation and ensure the proper maintenance of God's sacred dwelling.

**What was the new system for collecting and managing money for the Temple repairs that Jehoash instituted?**

Answer: The new system, implemented by King Jehoash and detailed in [2 Kings 12:9-16](/2_kings/12-9 "2 Kings 12:9-16 - The New System for Temple Repairs"), centralized the collection process. Instead of priests collecting money "of their acquaintance," a chest was placed at the entrance of the Temple, where all contributions were deposited directly. The high priest Jehoiada and the king's scribe would then regularly count the money, put it into bags, and distribute it directly to the workmen (carpenters, builders, masons, stonecutters) and for the purchase of materials for the Temple repairs. This new method ensured greater transparency and direct application of funds to the work, bypassing the previous inefficiencies.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical Temple in Jerusalem, with its need for constant repair and maintenance, points forward to the ultimate and perfect Temple: Jesus Christ Himself. While Jehoash meticulously sought to restore a physical structure, Christ came to restore humanity's broken relationship with God, establishing a new and living way. Jesus' own zeal for the Father's house, as seen in His cleansing of the Temple ([John 2:13-17](/john/2-13 "John 2:13-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), echoes Jehoash's concern, but with a profound spiritual depth. 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 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ became the ultimate dwelling place of God, the place where God and humanity meet. Furthermore, through the Holy Spirit, believers are now collectively the "temple of God" ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")) and "a dwelling place for God by the Spirit" ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). Just as Jehoash sought to repair the physical breaches, Christ continually works to repair the spiritual "breaches" in our lives and in the Church, sanctifying us and making us fit for God's holy presence. His work is the ultimate and perfect restoration, ensuring that God's dwelling place, now spiritual and living, is eternally maintained and glorified.

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 Chronicles 23:1

¶ And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

2 Kings 11:4

¶ And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.

2 Chronicles 24:16

And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.

2 Kings 12:2

And Jehoash did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

1 Chronicles 21:3

And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they [be]: but, my lord the king, [are] they not all my lord's servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?

2 Chronicles 24:5

And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened [it] not.

2 Chronicles 24:14

And when they had finished [it], they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, [even] vessels to minister, and to offer [withal], and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.