Jehoash directed the priests to gather and handle all contributed funds responsibly for the temple’s upkeep.
“Then Jehoash said to the priests, ‘All the money of the sacred things…’” (v.4). In this passage, King Jehoash of Judah (also called Joash), who reigned from approximately 835 to 796 BC, directs the priests regarding the funds brought into the temple, often called the house of the LORD. This “house of the LORD” refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a significant sacred site in the southern kingdom of Judah. By commanding the priests to gather all such offerings designated as sacred money, Jehoash displays a concern for the proper handling and stewardship of these gifts.
The phrase “all the money of the sacred things…” (v.4) mentions two kinds of contributions: the structured assessments and the voluntary gifts given out of devotion. These planned offerings could have been measured through standard assessments or temple taxes, while any freewill offerings stemmed from genuine gratitude toward God. This emphasis on sincerity foreshadows the principle of giving from the heart, later echoed in the New Testament when Jesus highlights the widow’s two small coins as a deeply faithful offering (Mark 12:41-44).
Jehoash’s instruction also reminds us that the temple required ongoing upkeep, just as modern places of worship benefit from the faithful generosity of believers. While the Old Testament temple was uniquely built to house the presence of God among His people (1 Kings 8:10-11), it also served as a communal hub. Jehoash’s command set a precedent that each believer could take part in funding the maintenance and spiritual service of God’s house, hinting at a broader principle of being cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7).
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2 Kings 12:4 meaning
“Then Jehoash said to the priests, ‘All the money of the sacred things…’” (v.4). In this passage, King Jehoash of Judah (also called Joash), who reigned from approximately 835 to 796 BC, directs the priests regarding the funds brought into the temple, often called the house of the LORD. This “house of the LORD” refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a significant sacred site in the southern kingdom of Judah. By commanding the priests to gather all such offerings designated as sacred money, Jehoash displays a concern for the proper handling and stewardship of these gifts.
The phrase “all the money of the sacred things…” (v.4) mentions two kinds of contributions: the structured assessments and the voluntary gifts given out of devotion. These planned offerings could have been measured through standard assessments or temple taxes, while any freewill offerings stemmed from genuine gratitude toward God. This emphasis on sincerity foreshadows the principle of giving from the heart, later echoed in the New Testament when Jesus highlights the widow’s two small coins as a deeply faithful offering (Mark 12:41-44).
Jehoash’s instruction also reminds us that the temple required ongoing upkeep, just as modern places of worship benefit from the faithful generosity of believers. While the Old Testament temple was uniquely built to house the presence of God among His people (1 Kings 8:10-11), it also served as a communal hub. Jehoash’s command set a precedent that each believer could take part in funding the maintenance and spiritual service of God’s house, hinting at a broader principle of being cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7).