2 Kings 12:8

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

And the priests {H3548} consented {H225} to receive {H3947} no {H1115} more money {H3701} of the people {H5971}, neither {H1115} to repair {H2388} the breaches {H919} of the house {H1004}.

The cohanim agreed not to receive money from the people, and they would no longer be responsible for repairing the damage to the house.

So the priests agreed that they would not receive money from the people and that they would not repair the temple themselves.

And the priests consented that they should take no more money from the people, neither repair the breaches of the house.

Commentary

2 Kings 12:8 KJV details a significant turning point in King Joash's efforts to repair the Temple in Jerusalem. Following a period where the priests had collected funds but failed to initiate repairs, this verse describes their agreement to a new arrangement: they would no longer directly handle the incoming repair money, nor would they be solely responsible for carrying out the repairs.

Context

This verse comes after King Joash (also known as Jehoash) had observed the dilapidated state of the Lord's house, the Temple. Early in his reign, guided by Jehoiada the priest, Joash commanded the priests to collect money from the people specifically for the Temple's restoration (2 Kings 12:4). However, by the twenty-third year of his reign, the repairs had still not been made (2 Kings 12:7), indicating a failure of the priests to fulfill their assigned duty. This verse marks the priests' reluctant consent to a revised system, paving the way for a more effective method of collecting and utilizing funds, which is elaborated in the subsequent verses (2 Kings 12:9-16).

Key Themes

  • Accountability and Stewardship: The verse highlights a breakdown in accountability. The priests, entrusted with the Temple's upkeep and collected funds, failed to act, necessitating royal intervention. This underscores the importance of faithful stewardship, especially in matters concerning sacred resources.
  • Reform and Oversight: King Joash's action demonstrates decisive leadership in addressing inefficiency and potential misuse of funds. His reform was not merely about fixing a building, but about establishing proper oversight and ensuring the integrity of the Temple's financial management.
  • Integrity in Ministry: The situation reveals a lapse in the integrity of the priestly administration, as the money collected for a specific purpose was not used accordingly. This serves as a timeless reminder of the need for transparency and uprightness in religious leadership.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "breaches" is bedeq (ื‘ึผึถื“ึถืง), which refers to a crack, breach, or defect in a structure. It vividly describes the decay and damage the Temple had sustained. The phrase "consented to receive no [more] money" (ื•ึทื™ึผึตืึนืชื•ึผ ื”ึทื›ึผึนื”ึฒื ึดื™ื) indicates that the priests, though perhaps not enthusiastic, agreed to the new arrangement. The verb yรขสผรขthรขh (ื™ึธืึธื”) means "to agree," "to consent," or "to be willing," suggesting their acceptance of the king's new directive.

Practical Application

This historical account offers valuable lessons for today. It emphasizes the critical need for:

  • Financial Transparency: Organizations, particularly religious ones, must maintain clear and transparent financial practices to ensure donor trust and proper use of funds.
  • Accountability in Leadership: Leaders in any capacity are called to be faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to them, understanding that their actions impact the integrity of their institution. As 1 Corinthians 4:2 states, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
  • Diligence in Upkeep: Whether physical structures or spiritual ministries, ongoing maintenance and diligent oversight are essential to prevent decay and ensure effectiveness.
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Cross-References

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