2 Kings 12:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 12:16 mean?

2 Kings 12:16 explains that the money collected as payment for trespass offerings and sin offerings was not brought into the temple treasury, because it belonged to the priests. This verse sets apart certain offerings as the rightful property of the priests, not for general temple use.

In the context of 2 Kings 12, King Jehoash is overseeing repairs to the temple in Jerusalem. The verse clarifies which funds were used for temple repairs and which were reserved for the priests. This distinction shows careful management of offerings and respect for the priests’ traditional rights under the law of Moses.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 12:16

• "Trespass" (אָשָׁם, 'asham): This word refers to a specific type of offering made for certain offenses. The money from these offerings was considered due to the priests.
• "Sin" (חַטָּאת, chatat): This word means "sin" and here refers to offerings made for unintentional sins. The money from these offerings was also set aside for the priests.
• "Money" (כֶּסֶף, keseph): Used twice in this verse, it simply means "silver" or "money," emphasizing that these were monetary payments, not animals or grain.
• "Priests'" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This word means "priest," and its use here marks the money as belonging to the priests, not the temple as a whole.

Why 2 Kings 12:16 matters

• This verse clears up any confusion about which offerings supported temple repairs and which supported the priests themselves, showing a clear separation of funds.
• It highlights the careful record-keeping and respect for priestly rights during Jehoash’s reforms, which helps explain how the temple was maintained.
• The distinction in this verse reflects the instructions given in the law of Moses, connecting the practices of Jehoash’s time with earlier biblical traditions.