So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

2 CHRONICLES 12:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 12:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 12:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 12:9 describes how Shishak, the king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem and took away all the treasures from both the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, including the gold shields that King Solomon had made. This verse highlights a moment when Jerusalem lost its wealth and symbols of former glory due to foreign invasion.

The setting is during the reign of King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, after the kingdom of Israel had split. The Chronicler is recounting how, because Rehoboam and the people had turned away from following the LORD, Shishak of Egypt was allowed to invade and plunder Jerusalem. The loss of the gold shields is especially significant because they were a symbol of Solomon’s prosperous and faithful rule, now lost as a consequence of unfaithfulness.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 12:9

  • שִׁשַׁק (Shishak, transliterated "Shishak"): This is the name of the Egyptian king who invaded Jerusalem. His identity as a foreign ruler underscores the humiliation and vulnerability of Jerusalem at this time.
  • מִצְרַיִם (Mitzrayim, transliterated "Egypt"): The mention of Egypt is important because Egypt was historically both a place of refuge and a source of threat for Israel. Here, Egypt is the aggressor.
  • מִגְדָּלוֹת הַבַּיִת (otzarot habayit, transliterated "treasures of the house"): The word for "treasures" (אוֹצָר, otzar) refers to valuable items stored in the temple and palace. The loss of these treasures signals a deep material and spiritual decline.
  • מָגֵן (magen, transliterated "shields"): These "shields" were not just military equipment but also ceremonial objects made of gold, representing the splendor of Solomon’s reign. Their loss is a sign of lost honor and divine favor.

Why 2 Chronicles 12:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the treasures taken were not just wealth but included sacred and symbolic items, showing the depth of Jerusalem’s loss.
  • It connects directly to the wider passage, where the Chronicler explains that this disaster happened because the people abandoned their commitment to the LORD.
  • The mention of the gold shields made by Solomon draws a sharp contrast between the former glory of Israel under Solomon and the decline under Rehoboam, helping readers see the consequences of turning away from God.

Where else these words appear

“Shishak” Hebrew H7895 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
  • 1 Kings 14:25 And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:
  • 2 Chronicles 12:5 Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.

“shields” Hebrew H4043 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
  • Psalms 115:11 Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

“treasures” Hebrew H214 · used in 70 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
  • Isaiah 2:7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: