2 Kings 12:5

5 And the priests repair the coverings of the house, if they see anything needful in repairing.

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 Nevertheless he did not away the high things; for yet the people made sacrifice, and burnt incense in (the) high things. (But he did not do away the hill shrines; for yet the people made sacrifice, and burned incense at the hill shrines.)

4 And Joash said to the priests, All the money of [the] holy things, that is brought of men passing forth into the temple of the Lord, and that is offered for the price of [the] soul, and that men bring willfully, and by freedom of their heart, into the temple of the Lord, [the] priests by their order take it. (And Joash said to the priests, All the money of the dedicated things, that is brought into the Temple of the Lord by men passing forth, and that is offered for the price of the soul, and that men willingly bring, in the freedom of their hearts, into the Temple of the Lord, the priests take it by their order.)

5 And the priests repair the coverings of the house, if they see anything needful in repairing.

6 Soothly the priests repaired not the coverings of the temple, unto the three and twentieth year of king Joash. (But the priests did not make any repairs to the Temple, unto twenty-third year of King Joash.)

7 And Joash, the king, called Jehoiada, the bishop, and the priests, and said to them, Why have ye not repaired the coverings of the temple? Therefore do not ye more take money by your order, but yield it to the reparation of the temple. (And King Joash called the High Priest Jehoiada, and the other priests, and said to them, Why have ye not made any repairs to the Temple? Henceforth do not ye take any more money for yourselves, but all of it must be used to repair the Temple.)