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2 Kings 23:35

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And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give [it] unto Pharaohnechoh.

And Jehoiakim {H3079} gave {H5414} the silver {H3701} and the gold {H2091} to Pharaoh {H6547}; but he taxed {H6186} the land {H776} to give {H5414} the money {H3701} according to the commandment {H6310} of Pharaoh {H6547}: he exacted {H5065} the silver {H3701} and the gold {H2091} of the people {H5971} of the land {H776}, of every one {H376} according to his taxation {H6187}, to give {H5414} it unto Pharaohnechoh {H6549}.

Y'hoyakim remitted the silver and gold to Pharaoh; but in order to pay the money Pharaoh demanded, he had to levy a tax on the land. He taxed the people of the land, each according to his means, to pay the silver and gold to Pharaoh N'khoh.

So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth.

And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-necoh.

Commentary

2 Kings 23:35 details the oppressive financial measures taken by King Jehoiakim of Judah to satisfy the demands of Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. This verse highlights a pivotal moment in Judah's history, marking its descent into foreign subjugation after the death of the righteous King Josiah.

Context of 2 Kings 23:35

The immediate backdrop to this verse is the tragic death of King Josiah at Megiddo, where he confronted Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:29). Following Josiah's death, his son Jehoahaz briefly reigned but was swiftly deposed by Pharaoh Necho and taken captive to Egypt (2 Kings 23:33-34). Pharaoh Necho then installed another of Josiah's sons, Eliakim, changing his name to Jehoiakim, as a puppet king over Judah. As a condition of his rule and as tribute for Egypt's suzerainty, Pharaoh Necho imposed a heavy tax or indemnity on Judah, which Jehoiakim was responsible for collecting. This act underscores Judah's loss of independence and its status as a vassal state.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Oppressive Leadership: Jehoiakim’s method of raising the required funds demonstrates his disregard for his people's welfare. Instead of drawing from royal treasuries or personal wealth, he imposed a direct and burdensome tax ("exacted the silver and the gold") on the common people. This foreshadows his generally wicked and self-serving reign, contrasting sharply with his father Josiah's devotion to God and his people.
  • Loss of Sovereignty: The verse vividly portrays Judah’s subjugation to a foreign power. Jehoiakim’s kingship was entirely dependent on Pharaoh Necho, and his primary duty, as seen here, was to fulfill Egyptian demands. This financial burden was a tangible symbol of Judah's diminished status and the end of its independent monarchy, leading inevitably towards the Babylonian exile.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While this specific verse focuses on political and economic realities, the broader narrative of 2 Kings links such national distress to Judah's persistent idolatry and departure from God's covenant. The burden placed on the people can be seen as a direct result of their spiritual decline and the wickedness of their kings, including Jehoiakim, who "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD" (2 Kings 23:37).

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "he exacted the silver and the gold" clearly conveys the compulsory nature of the taxation. It implies that the collection was not a voluntary contribution but a demand enforced by the king's authority, on behalf of the foreign power. This highlights the burden and lack of choice faced by the people of Judah.

Practical Application and Reflection

The account of Jehoiakim's taxation serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unrighteous leadership and national disobedience. It illustrates how leaders who prioritize foreign alliances or personal gain over the well-being of their own people can lead to widespread suffering and loss of freedom. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Discerning Leadership: Recognizing and supporting leaders who prioritize justice, righteousness, and the welfare of their constituents.
  • Understanding Consequences: Acknowledging that actions, both individual and national, have repercussions, and turning away from God often leads to oppression and hardship.
  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: Even in times of foreign domination and hardship, God remains sovereign, working His purposes through historical events, even those marked by human sin and oppression. The ultimate plan for His people often involves trials before restoration.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 23:33 (3 votes)

    And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

  • 2 Kings 15:19 (2 votes)

    [And] Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.

  • 2 Kings 15:20 (2 votes)

    And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, [even] of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned back, and stayed not there in the land.