Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.

2 KINGS 22:6KJV
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2 Kings 22:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 22:6 mean?

2 Kings 22:6 describes money being given to skilled workers—carpenters, builders, and masons—to purchase materials like timber and cut stone for repairing the temple. The verse shows a practical step in restoring the house of the Lord by providing resources for both labor and building supplies.

In this passage, officials under King Josiah are overseeing the repair of the temple in Jerusalem. They are instructed to pay the tradespeople and buy what is needed to fix the temple structure. This verse highlights the organized effort to restore the temple, showing attention to both the workers and the quality of materials.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 22:6

  • "Carpenters" (חָרָשׁ, ḥārāsh): This word refers to skilled craftsmen, not just woodworkers but artisans who shape materials. The verse emphasizes the use of experienced hands for the temple's restoration.
  • "Hewn" (פָּסִיל, pāsîl): This word means "cut" or "shaped," describing stone that has been carefully worked for building. It shows that the repairs required quality, prepared materials, not just rough stones.
  • "Repair" (חָזַק, ḥāzaq): This verb often means "to strengthen" or "to make firm." Here, it suggests not just patching up but reinforcing and restoring the temple to a strong condition.

Why 2 Kings 22:6 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the temple repairs were thorough and well-planned, involving skilled labor and quality materials, not just superficial fixes.
  • It shows the seriousness of Josiah’s reforms, as resources were carefully allocated to restore proper worship by repairing the temple.
  • This practical detail connects to the wider story of Josiah’s reign, where rediscovering and honoring God’s law includes caring for the physical place of worship.

Where else these words appear

“hewn” Hebrew H4274 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Kings 12:12 And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:11 Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed.

“masons” Hebrew H1443 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Kings 12:12 And to masons, and hewers of stone, and to buy timber and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it.
  • Lamentations 3:7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
  • Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

“carpenters” Hebrew H2796 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
  • Isaiah 44:13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

“buy” Hebrew H7069 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Joshua 24:32 And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
  • Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.