2 kings 12:4 - Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the holy things that is brought into Yahweh’s house, in current money, the money of the people for whom each man is evaluated, Exodus 30:12 and all the money that it comes into any man’s heart to bring into Yahweh’s house,

Generated Verse: 2 kings 12:4

What does "2 kings 12:4" mean?


This verse from 2 Kings 12:4, as interpreted by the New American Standard Bible (NASB) translation you seem to be referencing, outlines the three sources of income that King Jehoash (also spelled Joash) directed the priests to collect and use for the upkeep of the Temple of Yahweh (God):

Here's a breakdown:

"All the money of the holy things that is brought into Yahweh's house": This refers to any money specifically dedicated as offerings or contributions to the Temple. This would include votive offerings and other donations intended for sacred purposes.

"in current money, the money of the people for whom each man is evaluated, Exodus 30:12": This is where the verse gets a bit more specific and alludes to a mandatory tax or offering. It likely references the half-shekel tax mentioned in Exodus 30:11-16, which was a poll tax required of every adult male Israelite for the maintenance of the tabernacle (and later the Temple). It was a fixed sum "according to the sanctuary shekel" and served as a "ransom" or atonement offering. The "evaluated" refers to the assessed value/amount each male was required to pay.

"and all the money that it comes into any man's heart to bring into Yahweh's house": This refers to freewill offerings or voluntary donations given out of a person's own volition and generosity. It's money that people willingly chose to contribute to the Temple's upkeep.

In essence, King Jehoash is saying:

"Collect all the money that comes into the Temple from these three sources: (1) general offerings, (2) the mandatory tax from each man, and (3) voluntary donations."

Context and Significance:

The verse is part of a larger narrative about King Jehoash's efforts to repair the dilapidated Temple. He was concerned that the priests had been neglecting the Temple's physical condition and misappropriating the funds meant for its upkeep. By specifying these three sources of income, Jehoash was attempting to streamline the collection and use of Temple funds to ensure the repairs were properly carried out.

The mention of Exodus 30:12 is important. It anchors the "money of the people for whom each man is evaluated" to a specific, well-established practice in Israelite religious tradition, reinforcing the legitimacy and importance of collecting this particular tax for the Temple's upkeep.

In summary, this verse is a directive from King Jehoash to the priests, detailing the different types of monetary contributions to the Temple they should collect and presumably use for its maintenance and repairs. It highlights the king's concern for the proper administration of Temple funds and his desire to restore the Temple to its former glory.

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