Select Language
AaSelect font sizeDark ModeSet to dark mode
Browse by Book

2 Kings 12:10 meaning

This verse highlights the careful collection and management of temple funds as part of King Joash’s initiative to honor God by maintaining His sanctuary.

Then we read: When they saw that there was much money in the chest, the king’s scribe and the high priest came up and tied it in bags and counted the money which was found in the house of the LORD. (v.10) This verse describes a methodical step in maintaining the temple, emphasizing how both the king’s representative (the scribe) and the high priest participated in collecting and safeguarding the wealth given to God’s work. The temple in question was in Jerusalem, the capital city of the southern kingdom of Judah. At this time in history, King Jehoash (also called Joash) reigned over Judah (ca. 835 - 796 BC). He had initiated a project to repair the temple’s damages caused by years of neglect, underscoring a renewed interest in worship and reverence for the LORD. The presence of both secular and religious authorities at the counting of the money highlights a cooperative effort to honor the sanctity of the temple.

When they saw that there was much money in the chest (v.10) indicates that the offerings from the people were abundant. The chest was specially placed near the altar to collect funds (see the earlier context in 2 Kings 12) and had become quite full. This was a sign of the people’s devotion and underscores the communal commitment to restore the temple’s physical structure. By tying it in bags and counting the money which was found in the house of the LORD (v.10), leadership is shown to be deliberate and trustworthy. The money was tallied carefully to ensure transparency, a reminder that finances dedicated to spiritual purposes were to be handled uprightly.

The presence of the high priest (likely Jehoiada at this time) and the king’s scribe exemplifies the blend of sacred and administrative roles. Jehoiada, who acted as a guardian to the young King Joash, was instrumental in guiding Judah back to faithful worship. Meanwhile, the scribe’s duty to record official financial transactions assured accountability to the royal house. This form of orderly stewardship in God’s house echoes the later New Testament reminders that believers are to handle acts of worship, service, and even shared resources with faithfulness (1 Corinthians 4:2).

2 Kings 12:10