And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.

2 CHRONICLES 24:23KJV
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2 Chronicles 24:23 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 24:23 mean?

2 Chronicles 24:23 describes how, at the end of the year, the army of Syria invaded Judah and Jerusalem, killed all the leaders among the people, and sent the valuables they took back to their king in Damascus. The verse highlights a moment when Judah suffered a devastating defeat and loss of its leadership and treasures.

This verse is part of a historical account where the Chronicler records the consequences faced by King Joash and his people after turning away from God. The Syrian army, though not large, was able to overpower Judah, showing a reversal of fortune for the nation. The focus is on the destruction of the leaders ("princes") and the removal of wealth, emphasizing the seriousness of the judgment that came upon Judah at this time.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 24:23

  • The word "host" (חַיִל, ḥayil) often means "army" or "force," but it can also imply strength or wealth. Here, it refers to the military power of Syria that came against Judah.
  • "Destroyed" (שָׁחַת, shāchat) means to ruin or corrupt, but in this context, it clearly refers to the killing or elimination of the leaders of the people, not just general destruction.
  • "Princes" (שַׂר, sar) refers to the chief officials or leaders of Judah, showing that the attack specifically targeted those in authority.
  • "Spoil" (שָׁלָל, shalal) means plunder or loot, highlighting that the Syrians took valuable goods from Judah and sent them to their own king in Damascus.

Why 2 Chronicles 24:23 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the defeat was not just a military loss but also a loss of leadership and national stability for Judah, as the "princes" were specifically destroyed.
  • The mention of the spoil being sent to Damascus underlines the humiliation and subjugation of Judah, as their treasures were taken to a foreign power.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the larger narrative of 2 Chronicles 24, where the decline of Judah is linked to their abandonment of faithfulness, setting up the reasons for their suffering and the seriousness of their situation.

Where else these words appear

“end” Hebrew H8622 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 34:22 And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.
  • 1 Samuel 1:20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.
  • Psalms 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

“Damascus” Hebrew H1834 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 14:15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
  • 2 Kings 16:10 And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.
  • Isaiah 17:3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.

“spoil” Hebrew H7998 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
  • 1 Samuel 30:19 And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
  • Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

“Syria” Hebrew H758 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.
  • 1 Kings 22:35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:17 The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.