2 Kings 12:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 12:6 mean?

2 Kings 12:6 says that by the twenty-third year of King Jehoash’s reign, the priests had still not repaired the damage to the temple. This means that even after many years, the repairs that were supposed to be made to the house of the Lord had not been carried out by those responsible.

In this verse, the writer is describing a situation during King Jehoash’s rule over Judah. The priests, who had been given the task of fixing the temple (the "house" refers to the temple in Jerusalem), had not completed—or even started—the necessary repairs, despite the passage of over two decades. This sets the stage for the changes Jehoash would soon make to ensure the temple was finally restored.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 12:6

• "Repaired" (חָזַק, chazaq): This word often means to strengthen, repair, or make firm. Here, it stresses that the priests were supposed to make the temple strong and whole again, not just patch it up.
• "Breaches" (בֶּדֶק, bedeq): This word means gaps, cracks, or breaks. It highlights that the temple had real structural problems, not just cosmetic issues.
• "House" (בַּיִת, bayit): In this context, "house" refers specifically to the temple, making clear that the repairs were for God’s sanctuary, not just any building.

Why 2 Kings 12:6 matters

• This verse shows that the priests were not fulfilling their responsibilities, which helps explain why King Jehoash later changes how temple repairs are managed.
• It highlights the seriousness of the temple’s condition, emphasizing that the damage was significant and long-standing.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the reforms Jehoash would introduce, showing that change was needed because the existing system was not working.