2 Kings 22:5

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,

And let them deliver {H5414} it into the hand {H3027} of the doers {H6213} of the work {H4399}, that have the oversight {H6485} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}: and let them give {H5414} it to the doers {H6213} of the work {H4399} which is in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, to repair {H2388} the breaches {H919} of the house {H1004},

Then have them give it to the supervisors of the work being done in the house of ADONAI; they in turn are to use it to pay the laborers in the house of ADONAI to repair damaged places in the building -

And let them deliver it into the hands of the supervisors of those doing the work on the house of the LORD, who in turn are to give it to the workmen repairing the damages to the house of the LORDโ€”

and let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen that have the oversight of the house of Jehovah; and let them give it to the workmen that are in the house of Jehovah, to repair the breaches of the house,

Commentary

Context of 2 Kings 22:5

This verse is set during the eighteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. Unlike his immediate predecessors, Manasseh and Amon, who led the nation into deep idolatry and allowed the Temple to fall into disrepair, Josiah was a righteous king who initiated significant spiritual reforms. His reign marked a pivotal moment of revival in Judah. The preceding verses detail Josiah's command to Hilkiah the high priest to gather the money that had been collected from the people for the purpose of repairing the Lord's house. Verse 5 specifically outlines the next step in this organized restoration project: the distribution of these funds.

The call to repair the breaches of the house signifies the dilapidated state of the Temple, likely a result of generations of neglect and even desecration under ungodly kings. Josiah's initiative demonstrates his fervent desire to restore proper worship and reverence for God in Judah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Diligent Stewardship: The verse highlights a structured and accountable approach to managing resources. The money collected for God's work was not to be squandered but entrusted to those with oversight, ensuring it was used effectively for its intended purpose. This reflects a principle of responsible financial management within God's service.
  • Dedicated Service: The emphasis on "the doers of the work" underscores the importance of active participation and skilled labor in God's kingdom. It signifies that the restoration of God's house required practical, hands-on effort from dedicated craftsmen and supervisors.
  • Restoration and Renewal: The physical repair of the Temple under Josiah's direction was a powerful symbol of spiritual renewal in Judah. It represented a turning away from idolatry and a return to the worship of the one true God, signifying a nationwide commitment to restoring what was broken both physically and spiritually.
  • Accountability and Trust: The funds are to be delivered "into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight," indicating a system of trust and accountability. Those entrusted with resources were expected to be faithful stewards, a concept echoed in passages like 1 Corinthians 4:2 which states, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "doers of the work" in Hebrew is 'oseh hammela'kah (ืขึนืฉึตื‚ื™ ื”ึทืžึฐึผืœึธืื›ึธื”), which literally means "makers of the work" or "those who perform the labor." This term emphasizes the active, practical engagement of the craftsmen and laborers. The word "breaches" (Hebrew: bedeq, ื‘ึถึผื“ึถืง) refers to cracks, gaps, or defects, painting a vivid picture of the Temple's severe state of disrepair and the extensive renovation needed.

Practical Application

This verse holds timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining our places of worship, not just physically, but spiritually. Just as the Temple needed repair, so too can our spiritual lives or church communities develop "breaches" that require diligent attention and restoration. It encourages responsible stewardship of the resources God provides, whether financial, time, or talents, ensuring they are used effectively for His purposes.

Furthermore, it highlights the value of every person involved in God's work, from those who gather resources to those who perform the hands-on labor. Every role is vital in building up the kingdom of God and equipping the saints for ministry.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 12:11

    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 12:14

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

  • 2 Kings 12:5

    Let the priests take [it] to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.

  • Ezra 3:7

    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 Chronicles 24:7

    For 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.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:12

    And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:13

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