2 Kings 12:5

5 each priest is to take from his assessor and repair whatever damage to the temple is found.

2 Kings 12:5 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 12:5

Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance,
&c.] Of those that were most known by them; for the priests had cities assigned them in several parts of the land, and they that dwelt with them in them, or in the parts adjacent to them, were best known by them; and they were sent into all the cities, some to one and some to another, where they were most acquainted, to collect money, both what was due by law, and what the people should freely give, see ( 2 Chronicles 24:5 )

and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach
shall be found:
that is, of the temple, which, according to the Jewish chronology ^F9, had been built but one hundred and fifty five years; and being built very strong, would have needed no considerable repairs as yet, but that it had been broken up and misused by Athaliah and her sons, ( 2 Chronicles 24:7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 18.

2 Kings 12:5 In-Context

3 Yet the high places were not taken away; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.

4 Then Joash said to the priests, "All the dedicated money brought to the Lord's temple, census money, money from vows, and all money voluntarily given for the Lord's temple,

5 each priest is to take from his assessor and repair whatever damage to the temple is found.

6 But by the twenty-third year [of the reign] of King Joash, the priests had not repaired the damage to the temple.

7 So King Joash called Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and said, "Why haven't you repaired the temple's damage? Since you haven't, don't take any money from your assessors; instead, hand it over for the repair of the temple."

Footnotes

• [a]. Hb obscure
• [b]. Lit repair the breach of the house wherever there is found a breach