And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD.

2 CHRONICLES 24:21KJV
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2 Chronicles 24:21 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 24:21 mean?

2 Chronicles 24:21 describes how a group plotted against Zechariah and killed him by stoning, following the king’s order, right in the courtyard of the temple. This verse shows a shocking act of violence carried out in a sacred place, with the king’s direct involvement.

The setting is the southern kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Joash. Zechariah, a prophet and the son of Jehoiada the priest, had spoken out against the people’s unfaithfulness. Instead of listening, the leaders and the king turned against him, organizing his execution in the very area dedicated to worshipping God.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 24:21

  • "Conspired" (קָשַׁר, qashar): This word means to plot or form a secret plan. The use here highlights that Zechariah’s death was not a spontaneous act but a deliberate, coordinated betrayal.
  • "Stoned" (רָגַם, ragam) and "stones" (אֶבֶן, eben): These words refer to the method of execution. Stoning was a public and communal form of punishment, often reserved for serious offenses, making the act especially severe when done in the temple court.
  • "Commandment" (מִצְוָה, mitsvah): This word means an order or directive. The verse points out that the king himself gave the command, emphasizing his responsibility for the prophet’s death.
  • "Court" (חָצֵר, chatser) and "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): These words refer to the temple’s courtyard and the temple itself. The violence happening in the temple’s court underlines the depth of the people’s disregard for what was holy.

Why 2 Chronicles 24:21 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the king, who had once been guided by faithful priests, turned against God’s messengers and allowed violence in the temple itself.
  • The public and official nature of Zechariah’s execution, especially in the temple court, shows how far the nation’s leaders had strayed from honoring God and justice.
  • The verse sets up a turning point in the story, explaining why judgment would later come upon King Joash and those who participated in this act.

Where else these words appear

“stoned” Hebrew H7275 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 20:2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
  • Leviticus 24:23 And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Joshua 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.

“conspired” Hebrew H7194 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 30:41 And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
  • 1 Kings 16:16 And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.