Then they brought out the king's son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.

2 CHRONICLES 23:11KJV
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2 Chronicles 23:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 23:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 23:11 describes the public installation of a young king, Joash. The crown, the testimony, and the anointing mark his recognition as king, while the words “God save the king” express a wish for him to live.

After the guards take their places in verse 10, the king’s son is brought before the assembled people. Jehoiada and his sons put oil on Joash as part of the ceremony. Their shout gives voice to support for the newly presented king.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 23:11

  • “testimony” — עֵדוּת (ʿedut): This word can mean a witness or a solemn declaration. Here it is often understood as a written statement connected with God’s commands, though the verse does not identify its contents.
  • “anointed” — מָשַׁח (mashach): This means to apply or pour oil on someone. In this ceremony, the act marked Joash out for his role as king.
  • “save” — חָיָה (chayah): This word carries the sense of living. The shout is a wish for the king to live, much like “Long live the king!”

Why 2 Chronicles 23:11 matters

  • Joash’s appearance is a public turning point. He had been hidden from Athaliah, who had taken power after the royal family was attacked (2 Chronicles 22:10–12).
  • The testimony places a written witness alongside the crown at Joash’s installation. Deuteronomy 17:18–20 connects a king’s rule with a written copy of God’s law.
  • The people’s response makes the ceremony more than a private transfer of power. The following verse says Athaliah heard the noise of people running and praising the king (2 Chronicles 23:12).

Where else these words appear

“crown” Hebrew H5145 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 29:6 And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.
  • Numbers 6:8 All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD.
  • 2 Samuel 1:10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

“Jehoiada” Hebrew H3077 · used in 48 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
  • 1 Kings 4:4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
  • 2 Chronicles 23:8 So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.

“testimony” Hebrew H5715 · used in 57 verses

  • Exodus 16:34 As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept.
  • Exodus 40:20 And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark:
  • 2 Kings 23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

“anointed” Hebrew H4886 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
  • Numbers 6:15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings.
  • 1 Kings 1:34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save king Solomon.