Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king's office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king's scribe and the high priest's officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.

2 CHRONICLES 24:11KJV
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2 Chronicles 24:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 24:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 24:11 describes how, whenever the collection chest was brought to the king’s office by the Levites and found to be full of money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer would empty it and return it to its place, repeating this process daily and gathering a large amount of money. This verse shows an organized and trustworthy system for collecting offerings for temple repairs.

King Joash had ordered repairs for the temple, and the Levites were responsible for collecting donations from the people. The verse highlights the careful handling of the funds: both royal and priestly officials were involved, ensuring transparency and accountability. This daily routine allowed for a steady accumulation of resources needed for the restoration work.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 24:11

  • חָרוּץ (ʼārôn, transliterated as "chest") refers to a box or chest, often used for storing valuable items. Here, it is the designated container for the offerings, emphasizing the seriousness and security of the collection process.
  • לֵוִי (Lēwî, transliterated as "Levites") points to the tribe assigned to temple duties. Their involvement underlines the religious significance and trust placed in them for handling sacred funds.
  • כֶּסֶף (kesef, transliterated as "money") means silver or money. The repeated mention of "money in abundance" stresses the generosity of the people and the success of the collection effort.
  • שָׁב (shav, transliterated as "carried...again") means to return or bring back. The chest was regularly returned to its place, showing a consistent, repeatable process rather than a one-time event.

Why 2 Chronicles 24:11 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that temple funds were handled casually; it shows a careful, repeated process involving both religious and royal oversight.
  • The daily gathering of money in abundance highlights the community’s strong support for restoring the temple, a key theme in this chapter.
  • By naming both the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer, the verse emphasizes cooperation between civil and religious authorities, which helps explain how the project was managed so effectively.

Where else these words appear

“officer” Hebrew H6496 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 41:34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
  • Nehemiah 11:9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
  • Esther 2:3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:

“emptied” Hebrew H6168 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 24:20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
  • Psalms 137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
  • Isaiah 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

“office” Hebrew H6486 · used in 31 verses

  • Numbers 3:32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:18 Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.
  • Jeremiah 23:12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

“abundance” Hebrew H7230 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 16:10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
  • Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.