But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the LORD: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD.

2 KINGS 12:9KJV
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2 Kings 12:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 12:9 mean?

2 Kings 12:9 describes how Jehoiada the priest set up a special chest with a hole in its lid, placing it beside the altar so that the priests guarding the entrance could collect all the money brought into the temple. This verse explains the practical steps taken to gather offerings for the upkeep of the house of the LORD.

Jehoiada, who was the high priest at this time, took action to ensure that the money given by the people for the temple was collected securely and transparently. The chest was placed in a visible and accessible spot near the altar, and the priests who watched the door were responsible for putting all the contributions into it. This system was set up during a period of temple repairs under King Joash, aiming to restore trust and proper management of temple funds.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 12:9

  • חָרוּ (ḥāru, "bored"): This word means to bore or drill, emphasizing that a deliberate hole was made in the lid of the chest, likely for security and convenience, so people could deposit money without opening the chest.
  • דֶּלֶת (delet, "door"): Used here for "door," this word highlights that the priests assigned to watch the entrance were given the responsibility to handle the offerings, showing an organized approach to temple duties.
  • אָרוֹן (’ārōn, "chest"): This is the same word used elsewhere for a box or chest, sometimes even for the Ark, but here it simply means a secure container for collecting money.

Why 2 Kings 12:9 matters

  • This verse shows a practical solution to concerns about honesty and accountability in handling temple funds, which had been a problem earlier in the chapter.
  • The detail about the chest and its placement reveals a concern for transparency, making it clear that offerings were being managed openly and responsibly.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the reforms under Jehoiada and King Joash, setting the stage for the restoration of the temple and the renewal of proper worship practices.

Where else these words appear

“hole” Hebrew H2356 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
  • Song of Solomon 5:4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.
  • Nahum 2:12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.

“bored” Hebrew H5344 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 30:28 And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:31 And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
  • Job 41:2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

“door” Hebrew H5592 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.
  • Jeremiah 52:19 And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.

“Jehoiada” Hebrew H3077 · used in 48 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:18 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief rulers.
  • 1 Kings 4:4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
  • 2 Chronicles 23:9 Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David's, which were in the house of God.