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 12:9KJVWhat 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.