And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obededom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

2 CHRONICLES 25:24KJV
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2 Chronicles 25:24 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 25:24 mean?

2 Chronicles 25:24 describes how the conqueror took all the gold, silver, valuable vessels, and treasures from both the temple (the house of God) and the royal palace, as well as hostages, and then returned to Samaria. The verse highlights the thoroughness of the plundering after a defeat.

This verse is set during the aftermath of a battle between King Amaziah of Judah and King Jehoash of Israel. After defeating Amaziah, Jehoash entered Jerusalem, seizing valuables from the temple and the king’s house, including items associated with Obededom, who had previously cared for the ark. The mention of hostages shows the depth of Judah’s loss and the power shift to Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 25:24

  • gold (זָהָב, zahav) and silver (כֶּסֶף, keseph): These words emphasize the wealth taken from both the temple and the palace, showing the scale of the loss.
  • vessels (כְּלִי, keli): This term refers to sacred or valuable objects used in the temple, not just ordinary containers, highlighting the religious and cultural impact of the plundering.
  • house (בַּיִת, bayit) and God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): Together, these words specify that the temple—the central place of worship—was violated, not just any building.
  • hostages (בֵּן, ben; תַּעֲרוּבָה, taarubah): The phrase here indicates that not only material goods but also people (likely royal family members or nobles) were taken as security, underlining the humiliation and subjugation of Judah.
  • returned (שׁוּב, shuv) and Samaria (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron): These words show that Jehoash brought everything back to his own capital, emphasizing his victory and the transfer of power.

Why 2 Chronicles 25:24 matters

  • This verse clarifies the extent of Judah’s defeat, showing that the loss was not just military but also spiritual and economic, as even the temple’s treasures were taken.
  • The mention of Obededom connects this event to earlier stories about the ark and temple, reminding readers of the sacredness of what was lost.
  • The detail about hostages reveals the personal cost to Judah’s leadership and the seriousness of their subjugation, which helps explain the political situation in the following chapters.

Where else these words appear

“hostages” Hebrew H8594 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Kings 14:14 And he took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria.

“Obededom” Hebrew H5654 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:14 And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;

“treasures” Hebrew H214 · used in 70 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
  • Isaiah 2:7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:

“Samaria” Hebrew H8111 · used in 101 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.
  • 2 Kings 10:36 And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.