Joash repairs the house — a chest at the gate, the old tax of Moses gathered gladly — all the days of Jehoiada. Then the priest dies, aged a hundred and thirty, and the princes come flattering. The spirit of God clothes Zechariah the son of Jehoiada: 'Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of Hashem, that you cannot prosper?' — and they stone him at the king’s commandment, in the court of the house of Hashem. 'Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said: Hashem look upon it, and require it.' Aram comes with a small company and executes judgment; his own servants finish it on his sickbed.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Joash was seven years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.
verse value 3710
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 54 letters. The shortest word is "Joash" (יֹאָ֣שׁ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·forty" (וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "son·of·seven" (בֶּן־שֶׁ֤בַע), "Joash" (יֹאָ֣שׁ), "and·forty" (וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים). The root שנה appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·his·reigning" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "son·of·seven" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "in·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: בֶּן־שֶׁ֤בַע [son·of·seven] (424) + שָׁנִים֙ [years] (400) + יֹאָ֣שׁ [Joash] (311) + בְּמׇלְכ֔וֹ [in·his·reigning] (98) + וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים [and·forty] (329) + שָׁנָ֔ה [year] (355) + מָלַ֖ךְ [he·reigned] (90) + בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם [in·Jerusalem] (588) + וְשֵׁ֣ם [and·name·of] (346) + אִמּ֔וֹ [his·mother] (47) + צִבְיָ֖ה [Zibiah] (107) + מִבְּאֵ֥ר [from·Beer-] (243) + שָֽׁבַע [sheba] (372) = 3710.
Malbim
Joash was seven years old - Kings there (24); and there it is written "all his days" [without qualification], but Ezra explains that this means only all the days that Jehoiada lived, for afterward he sinned, as stated below (verse 18).
And Joash did that which was right in the eyes of Hashem all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
verse value 1681
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 36 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 1681 = 41². The shortest word is "and·he·did" (וַיַּ֧עַשׂ, 4 letters) and the longest is "Jehoiada" (יְהוֹיָדָ֥ע, 6 letters). 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·he·did" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "the·priest" (root כהן, 90x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיַּ֧עַשׂ [and·he·did] (386) + יוֹאָ֛שׁ [Joash] (317) + הַיָּשָׁ֖ר [the·right] (515) + בְּעֵינֵ֣י [in·eyes·of] (142) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + כׇּל־יְמֵ֖י [all·days·of] (110) + יְהוֹיָדָ֥ע [Jehoiada] (105) + הַכֹּהֵֽן [the·priest] (80) = 1681.
Rashi
all the days of Jehoiada And in II Kings (12:3) it is written: “all his days, [he did] that which Jehoiada the priest instructed him,” but after he died, the officers of the king came to prostrate themselves to him and to deify him (below verse 17). In the midrash (Exod. Rabbah 8:2, Tan. Buber, Va’era) it is explained that, because he hid in the Holy of Holies and was not harmed, they said, “You are fit to be a god.”
And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begot sons and daughters.
verse value 2230
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 34 letters. The shortest word is "wives" (נָשִׁ֣ים, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·he·took·to·him" (וַיִּשָּׂא־ל֥וֹ, 6 letters). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "sons" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "two" (root שנים, 30x in II Chronicles); "and·daughters" (root בת, 26x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'two', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּשָּׂא־ל֥וֹ [and·he·took·to·him] (353) + יְהוֹיָדָ֖ע [Jehoiada] (105) + נָשִׁ֣ים [wives] (400) + שְׁתָּ֑יִם [two] (750) + וַיּ֖וֹלֶד [and·he·begot] (56) + בָּנִ֥ים [sons] (102) + וּבָנֽוֹת [and·daughters] (464) = 2230.
Rashi
and he begot sons and daughters Because it says below (verse 25) that Joash slew the sons of Jehoiada, it was necessary to note that he had sons.
Malbim
took [for him two wives] - It has already been asked how he could take two wives, seeing that he was the Kohen Gadol [and a Kohen Gadol may take only one wife at a time]; this may be explained by saying that he married them one after the other. And it tells us that even though he was ninety years old, he married two young unmarried maidens (for a Kohen Gadol is forbidden to take a bogeret, a maiden past the age of naarah), and they died in his lifetime, and he fathered more sons and daughters, as is stated (Psalms 92:15), "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age."
And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of Hashem.
verse value 1980
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 34 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 1980 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "was" (הָיָה֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "after·this" (אַחֲרֵי־כֵ֑ן, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "with·heart·of" (עִם־לֵ֣ב). The root היה appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "and·it·came·to·pass" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'after·this', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיְהִ֖י [and·it·came·to·pass] (31) + אַחֲרֵי־כֵ֑ן [after·this] (289) + הָיָה֙ [was] (20) + עִם־לֵ֣ב [with·heart·of] (142) + יוֹאָ֔שׁ [Joash] (317) + לְחַדֵּ֖שׁ [to·restore] (342) + אֶת־בֵּ֥ית [the·house·of] (813) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 1980.
Metzudat David
To restore — to repair it and to build anew whatever was needed.
Malbim
And it came to pass - This account is related in Kings in a different form, and I have already explained there that these are two separate accounts: there it relates that he ordained that the priests should take for themselves all the vow-offerings and free-will offerings, and that the ordinary upkeep of the House would be their responsibility - and that they did not carry out the repairs. Here, however, a different matter is related: that Joash wished to renew the house of Hashem, meaning to restore it to the splendor it had at the time it was built; and for this, vow-offerings and free-will offerings would not suffice - and it was to this end that...
And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them: ‘Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you hasten the matter.’ However, the Levites hastened it not.
verse value 6143
Insights
Verse structure: 23 words, 105 letters. The shortest word is "to·them" (לָהֶ֡ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·priests" (אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 97: and·the·Levites, go·out. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·gather" (וְקִבְצוּ֩), "from·all·Israel" (מִכׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל), "from·sufficiency·of" (מִדֵּ֤י). The root קבץ appears 2 times in this verse. 19 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "your·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "the·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·matter', dividing the verse into phrases of 20 and 3 words.
Rashi
and gather money from all Israel i.e., Gather the money that the Israelites were accustomed to giving yearly, as it is written (Exod. 30:14): “Each one included in the census,” and in II Kings (12: 5): “All money of the hallowed things that is brought to the House of the Lord, in current money, etc.” There were three types of money: (1) the money of all those counted in the census, viz. the shekels for every year, as it is said (Exod. 30:14): “Each one included in the census,” lit., “[the money of anyone] who passes,” reminiscent of “each one who passes.” (2) Personal donations - money donated by individuals to reflect the value of their souls, like one who says, “My value shall be incumbent upon me to donate.” (3) All donations inspired by a person’s heart for the repairs of the Temple. and hasten to the matter,” but the Levites did not hasten It is explained in II Kings (12:6f.) that the king said, “Let the priests take [the money] for themselves, each one from his acquaintance,” but they neglected to impose upon their acquaintances, and when the king saw this, he said to them, (ibid. verse 8): “Do not take money from your acquaintances [any longer], but deliver it for the repairs of the House.” This is what is written here: “’and hasten to the matter,’ but the Levites did not hasten.”
Ralbag
'And he gathered together the priests and the Levites,' etc. - Here he explains what had been stated only briefly in the Book of Kings. He first specifies that the priests were to collect the money from all Israel - namely, the half-shekel that the Torah fixed for every single man - which was the levy of Moses, the servant of Hashem, meant to strengthen the House of God, since the sons of Athaliah had broken into the House of God and turned all the sacred things of the House of Hashem over to the Baalim, leaving nothing there. And he commanded, 'and you shall take care of the matter,' to repair the damage to the House. And he commanded that all that money be placed in a chest at the gate of the House of Hashem; and they made a hole in its door, and from there they would cast the money into the chest.
Metzudat David
From year to year — for the expenses of the repair that would be needed in each and every year. Hasten the matter — go quickly and collect the money.
Metzudat Zion
From year to year (middei) - Meaning, at every occasion - i.e., every single year, as in 'each time she went up' (I Samuel 1).
Malbim
And he gathered together - He commanded that the priests and the Levites go out to the cities of Judah and collect money for this, and that they do so year by year. But the Levites did not hasten to carry out his command.
And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him: ‘Why have you not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the tax of Moses the servant of Hashem, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tent of the testimony?’
verse value 6199
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 99 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֗וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֗וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·from·Jerusalem" (וּמִירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם, 8 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·Jehoiada" (לִיהוֹיָדָ֣ע), "why" (מַדּ֙וּעַ֙), "not·you·have·required" (לֹא־דָרַ֣שְׁתָּ). 19 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·servant·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'of·Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 17 and 2 words.
Rashi
the tax of Moses the servant of the Lord i.e., the shekels which he mandated upon them in the desert. the tax of - Heb. מַשְׂאַת, reminiscent of (Exod. 30:12): “When you take (כִּי תִשָּׂא) [the sum].”
Metzudat David
Why have you not required — as if to say: you should have inquired of them whether they were hastening to bring [the tax] in from Judah, etc. The tax of Moses — In II Kings three kinds of money are specified: the half-shekel imposed on every man of Israel; [the money of] one who had made a valuation-pledge for himself or for another; and [the money of] one who had consecrated something for the repair of the House — and all of these are called ‘the tax of Moses,’ meaning the contribution that Moses commanded be brought. And of the congregation of Israel — meaning, also what it had long been the practice of the congregation of Israel to bring for the Tent of Testimony.
Metzudat Zion
Tax (masat) - An expression of a gift and a present, as in 'an allowance and a gift' (Jeremiah 40).
Malbim
And the king called for Jehoiada the chief - Because of this he summoned Jehoiada and asked him why he had not demanded this of the Levites. He also wanted them to bring the half-shekel for the years that had passed while Athaliah reigned, since Athaliah and her sons had taken that money for the Baal-idols, and the congregation was obligated to pay other money in its place.
For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the hallowed things of the house of Hashem they bestowed upon the Baalim.
verse value 4422
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 58 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֤י, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·house·of·Hashem" (בֵית־יְהֹוָ֔ה, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 376: they·broke·through, they·made. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·wicked" (הַמִּרְשַׁ֔עַת), "her·sons" (בָּנֶ֥יהָ), "they·broke·through" (פָרְצ֖וּ). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "her·sons" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'God', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: כִּ֤י [for] (30) + עֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ [Athaliah] (521) + הַמִּרְשַׁ֔עַת [the·wicked] (1015) + בָּנֶ֥יהָ [her·sons] (67) + פָרְצ֖וּ [they·broke·through] (376) + אֶת־בֵּ֣ית [the·house·of] (813) + הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים [God] (91) + וְגַם֙ [and·also] (49) + כׇּל־קׇדְשֵׁ֣י [all·hallowed·things·of] (464) + בֵית־יְהֹוָ֔ה [the·house·of·Hashem] (438) + עָשׂ֖וּ [they·made] (376) + לַבְּעָלִֽים [upon·the·Baalim] (182) = 4422.
Rashi
For the wicked Athaliah—her sons had breached He had to say this because Solomon had built it as a new sturdy edifice. Only 125 years elapsed from the time that Solomon built it until the days of Joash and it was already breached. Had Athaliah and her sons not breached it, it would have continued to endure, for more than 200 years elapsed from Joash to Josiah and they did not have to repair it until Josiah, although Joash did not make it new as it was originally. One hundred and twenty-five years elapsed from the completion of the Temple until Joash. How so? Solomon reigned 40 years, and in the fourth year of his reign he commenced to build it. It took 7 years to build, totaling 10 years, leaving him 30. Rehoboam reigned 17, totaling 47; Abijah 3, totaling 50; Asa 41, totaling 91; Jehoshaphat 25, totaling 116; Jehoram 8, totaling 124, and Ahaziah one, totaling 125. And from Joash until Josiah were 200 years. How so? Amaziah reigned 29 years, Uzziah 52, Jotham 16, Ahaz 16, Hezekiah 29, Manasseh 55, Amon 2, totaling 200 less 1, in addition to those years that Joash lived after he had repaired the Temple. We find that they would not have had to repair the damage of the Temple had not the wicked Athaliah and her sons breached it. For Athaliah, etc. It is therefore no wonder that it needed repairs so soon, and also no wonder that there was no hallowed silver and gold in the treasuries of the House of the Lord, so that they had to make an announcement in Judah and Jerusalem to bring the tax, for they had also used all the hallowed things of the House of the Lord for the baalim.
Metzudat David
The sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman — whom she had from another man; they had broken into the house of God, so that repair was necessary; and also, the consecrated money that had been in the house of Hashem they had given over to the Baalim, so that the money had run out — therefore it was necessary to gather money from the congregation for the needs of the repair.
So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of Hashem.
verse value 2610
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 42 letters. Notable word values: "one" (אֶחָ֑ד) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). Verse gematria: 2610 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "one" (אֶחָ֑ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·house·of·Hashem" (בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 257: and·he·said, chest. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'one', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר [and·he·said] (257) + הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּ [and·they·made] (392) + אֲר֣וֹן [chest] (257) + אֶחָ֑ד [one] (13) + וַֽיִּתְּנֻ֛הוּ [and·they·set·it] (477) + בְּשַׁ֥עַר [in·gate·of] (572) + בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה [the·house·of·Hashem] (438) + חֽוּצָה [outside] (109) = 2610.
Rashi
and they made one chest and in II Kings (12:10), it is written: “and he bored a hole in its door,” and through that hole they would cast the hallowed things, but they did not open the door lest a thief come and steal from it. and they placed it in the gate of the House of the Lord, to the outside so that all the generous people would be able to come and deposit the donation to the Lord therein.
Metzudat David
Without — on the side that faces outward.
Metzudat Zion
Chest (aron) - A box.
Malbim
So the king commanded - There [in Kings] it is mentioned that they made a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar; for there the text speaks of the chest into which they would place new vows and freewill-gifts of the current year. Since the priests had not repaired the House, he commanded that these be placed in a chest, from which burnt-offerings would be purchased, with the remainder going to the repair of the House. Here, however, the text speaks of the old shekels (tekalin atikin) - as it says [in the next verse] that a proclamation was made to bring the tax of Moses from the years that had passed - all of which went entirely to the repair of the House; and this chest they set outside.
And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Hashem the tax that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.
verse value 3480
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 60 letters. The shortest word is "Moses" (מֹשֶׁ֧ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·servant·of·God" (עֶבֶד־הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים, 9 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·gave·voice" (וַיִּתְּנוּ־ק֞וֹל), "tax·of" (מַשְׂאַ֞ת), "the·servant·of·God" (עֶבֶד־הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·servant·of·God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "to·bring" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). Full calculation: וַיִּתְּנוּ־ק֞וֹל [and·they·gave·voice] (608) + בִּיהוּדָ֣ה [in·Judah] (32) + וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם [and·in·Jerusalem] (594) + לְהָבִ֤יא [to·bring] (48) + לַֽיהֹוָה֙ [to·Hashem] (56) + מַשְׂאַ֞ת [tax·of] (741) + מֹשֶׁ֧ה [Moses] (345) + עֶבֶד־הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים [the·servant·of·God] (167) + עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל [upon·Israel] (641) + בַּמִּדְבָּֽר [in·the·wilderness] (248) = 3480.
Metzudat David
And they made A proclamation — meaning, they announced it publicly. Laid upon Israel — that which he commanded concerning Israel while they were in the wilderness, namely, the monies mentioned above.
And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
verse value 2009
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 43 letters. The shortest word is "to·the·chest" (לָאָר֖וֹן, 5 letters) and the longest is "all·the·princes" (כׇל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·the·chest" (לָאָר֖וֹן). The root כל appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·brought" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "all·the·princes" (root כל, 113x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·all·the·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיִּשְׂמְח֥וּ [and·they·rejoiced] (370) + כׇל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים [all·the·princes] (605) + וְכׇל־הָעָ֑ם [and·all·the·people] (171) + וַיָּבִ֛יאוּ [and·they·brought] (35) + וַיַּשְׁלִ֥יכוּ [and·they·cast] (382) + לָאָר֖וֹן [to·the·chest] (287) + עַד־לְכַלֵּֽה [until·to·finish] (159) = 2009.
Metzudat David
All the princes And all the people rejoiced — meaning, they brought the money joyfully. Until they had made an end — meaning, they brought it day after day until all of them had finished bringing it; not a man was missing.
And it was so, that at what time the chest was brought to the king’s officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the chief priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it back to its place. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
verse value 7246
Insights
Verse structure: 28 words, 130 letters. Notable word values: "to·day" (לְי֣וֹם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֤ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·they·gathered·silver" (וַיַּאַסְפוּ־כֶ֖סֶף, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 663: the·chest, the·chest. 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "he·brings" (יָבִ֨יא), "to·oversight·of" (אֶל־פְּקֻדַּ֣ת), "and·when·they·saw" (וְכִרְאוֹתָ֞ם). The root בוא appears 2 times in this verse. 23 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "he·brings" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "they·did" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·its·place', dividing the verse into phrases of 22 and 6 words.
Rashi
and when they saw that there was much money then the king’s scribe came. and the appointee of the head priest The servant appointed under the head priest, who was the assistant to the high priest, together with the king’s scribe. In II Kings (12:11), it is written: “the king’s scribe and the high priest went up.” The meaning is that the king’s scribe went up, and the high priest also sent his appointee, who was the scribe who wrote what the high priest commanded him, because it was unfitting and degrading for the high priest to go with the king’s servants. empty the chest - Heb. וִיעָרוּ. A similar instance is (Gen. 24:20): “and emptied (וַתְּעַר) her pitcher.” carry it Every day, when they saw that there was much money in it, they would bring it to the king’s appointee within the forecourt, empty it, carry it, and return it to its place outside the gate of the Lord.
Metzudat David
And it was so, that at what time the chest was brought to the king’s officers by the hand of the Levites — at the time that they brought the chest into the house at the king’s command, [carried] by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money in it, for its weight was heavy, then the king’s scribe, etc., came. And emptied [the chest] — they poured the money out of the chest. Thus they did day by day — for it was the king’s command to bring it in every night, from outside into the house, and when they saw that the money had grown plentiful, they would then pour the money out of it.
Metzudat Zion
To the officer (el pekudat) - Like 'b'fkudat' [with a bet in place of an aleph]; similarly 'and unto the ark' (v'el ha'aron) (Exodus 25), whose sense is 'and in the ark' (u'va'aron). And 'pekudat' is an expression of charge/command, as in 'and he was in charge over me' (below, chapter 37). And emptied (vaya'aru) - An expression of pouring out and emptying, as in 'and she emptied her pitcher' (Genesis 24).
Malbim
And it was so - This too is a different matter from what is stated in Kings. There it speaks of the new shekels (tekalin chadatin), saying that when they saw there was much money in the chest, they counted it and gave it over to those doing the work - and this happened only three times a year, at the times they saw that a surplus remained from the collections for the chambers. Here, however, it speaks of the old shekels (tekalin atikin), which they took from the chest day by day, since all of it went to the repair of the House, and its proper time was day by day, as the law required.
And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of Hashem; and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of Hashem, and also such as wrought iron and brass to repair the house of Hashem.
verse value 7191
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 102 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "house·of" (בֵּ֣ית, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·Jehoiada" (וִיהוֹיָדָ֗ע, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 412: to·doer·of, house·of. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·doer·of" (אֶל־עוֹשֵׂה֙), "work·of" (מְלֶ֙אכֶת֙), "hiring" (שֹֽׂכְרִים֙). The root יהוה appears 3 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root חרש ("and·carpenters") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 7 words.
Metzudat David
To such as did the work of the service of the house of Hashem — these were the master craftsmen appointed over [the work of] the house of Hashem, and under their direction the laboring craftsmen would build according to their instructions; in the words of our Sages they are called ‘ardichlin’ [master builders]. And they hired [masons And carpenters] — and they would hire stonecutters and carpenters. And also such as wrought iron — they would also hire workers in iron and in bronze.
Malbim
And the king and Jehoiada gave it - In Kings it is mentioned that they gave the money to strengthen the repair of the House, but here it is mentioned that they gave it to renew the House of Hashem - that is, to restore it in its renewed state and splendor, as above at verse 4. That is why it says that they restored the House of God according to its original design - meaning that they renewed it in its beauty and splendor.
So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set up the house of God in its state, and strengthened it.
verse value 4017
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 66 letters. Verse gematria: 4017 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "doers·of" (עֹשֵׂ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "according·to·its·measurement" (עַל־מַתְכֻּנְתּ֖וֹ, 8 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "doers·of" (עֹשֵׂ֣י), "healing" (אֲרוּכָ֛ה), "to·the·work" (לַמְּלָאכָ֖ה). The root עשה appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "the·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "and·they·did" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·their·hand', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ֙ [and·they·did] (392) + עֹשֵׂ֣י [doers·of] (380) + הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה [the·work] (101) + וַתַּ֧עַל [and·it·went·up] (506) + אֲרוּכָ֛ה [healing] (232) + לַמְּלָאכָ֖ה [to·the·work] (126) + בְּיָדָ֑ם [in·their·hand] (56) + וַֽיַּעֲמִ֜ידוּ [and·they·set·up] (146) + אֶת־בֵּ֧ית [the·house·of] (813) + הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים [God] (91) + עַל־מַתְכֻּנְתּ֖וֹ [according·to·its·measurement] (1016) + וַֽיְאַמְּצֻֽהוּ [and·they·strengthened·it] (158) = 4017.
Rashi
and the work was improved A similar instance is (Neh. 3:34): “Will they revive the stones” of Ezra. Also, above (I Chron. 11:8): “and Joab sustained.’ on its base - Heb. עַל מַתְכֻּנְתּוֹ, on its base.
Ralbag
'and the work was perfected by them' - Meaning, healing and strengthening.
Metzudat David
So the workmen wrought — they did what was incumbent upon them to do. And the work was perfected by them — through their hands there came strengthening for the work of repair. In its state — on its base and foundation, meaning that they repaired everything that needed repair.
Metzudat Zion
Restored (arukhah) - This is literally an expression of healing, used here by borrowed usage for the strengthening of a building, as in 'for the wall of Jerusalem too has gone up in healing' (Nehemiah 4). And strengthened it (vaya'amtzehu) - An expression of strength and firmness.
And when they had made an end, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, from which were made vessels for the house of Hashem, even vessels for ministering, and buckets, and pans, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of Hashem continually all the days of Jehoiada.
verse value 7031
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 119 letters. The shortest word is "all" (כֹּ֖ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·the·house·of·Hashem" (לְבֵית־יְהֹוָה֙, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 60: vessels·of, days·of. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·rest·of" (אֶת־שְׁאָ֣ר), "and·they·made·it" (וַיַּעֲשֵׂ֨הוּ), "vessels" (כֵלִ֤ים). The root כלי appears 3 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "they·brought" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·silver', dividing the verse into phrases of 17 and 8 words.
Rashi
service vessels and pestles (Stessel in German.) This is [the implement] with which they crush spices in the mortar. A similar instance is (Prov. 27:22): “If you crush a fool in a mortar [among grain with a pestle (בַּעֱלִי)”]. Rabbi Isaac the son of Samuel of Narbonne told me this. Others say that וְהַעֲלוֹת refers to boards upon which meat is cut, and an example of this appears in Bezah (1:5): We may not move a board (עלי) to cut meat upon it. and spoons and gold and silver vessels But in II Kings (12:14) it is written: “But there would not be made for the House of the Lord silver pitchers.” How is this possible? It is explained in Kethuboth, chapter 13 (106): Rav Huna inquired of Rav: May vessels of ministry be made of material hallowed for the repair of the Temple, etc.
Ralbag
'vessels for ministering, and buckets' - Meaning, vessels for [Temple] service and for offering up [sacrifices]. And here [Scripture] goes on to relate the sin of Jehoash after the death of Jehoiada, which was the cause of the evil that Hashem, may He be blessed, brought upon him.
Metzudat David
And when they had made an end — of strengthening the whole house of Hashem. And vessels of gold — and the rest of the vessels of gold and silver. Continually — these are the daily offerings, [offered] every day, morning and evening.
Metzudat Zion
And when they had made an end (u'kechalotam) - When they had completed [it]. Buckets (veha'alot) - This refers to the pestle of a mortar, so called because it is raised and lowered ('ma'alin u'moridin') during the pounding, as in 'though you bray a fool in a mortar among grits with a pestle' (Proverbs 27:22).
Malbim
And when they had made an end - According to what has been explained, there is no contradiction between the verses. There it says that they did not make service vessels from the money brought to the House of Hashem, while here it says that they did make service vessels. For there it speaks of the contribution of the Temple chamber, from which service vessels may not be made, as Rambam writes; but here it speaks of money brought from years past, which had been designated from the outset for the repair of the House.
But Jehoiada waxed old and was full of days, and he died; he was a hundred and thirty years old when he died.
verse value 2815
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 43 letters. The shortest word is "year" (שָׁנָ֖ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "Jehoiada" (יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·grew·old" (וַיִּזְקַ֧ן), "and·he·was·full" (וַיִּשְׂבַּ֥ע), "son·of·hundred" (בֶּן־מֵאָ֧ה). The root מות appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·hundred" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "year" (root שנה, 77x in II Chronicles); "days" (root יום, 71x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·he·died', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיִּזְקַ֧ן [and·he·grew·old] (173) + יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע [Jehoiada] (105) + וַיִּשְׂבַּ֥ע [and·he·was·full] (388) + יָמִ֖ים [days] (100) + וַיָּמֹ֑ת [and·he·died] (456) + בֶּן־מֵאָ֧ה [son·of·hundred] (98) + וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛ים [and·thirty] (686) + שָׁנָ֖ה [year] (355) + בְּמוֹתֽוֹ [in·his·death] (454) = 2815.
And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and His house.
verse value 2491
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 52 letters. The shortest word is "and·with" (וְעִ֥ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·city·of·David" (בְעִיר־דָּוִ֖יד, 8 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·city·of·David" (בְעִיר־דָּוִ֖יד), "with·the·kings" (עִם־הַמְּלָכִ֑ים), "good" (טוֹבָה֙). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "with·the·kings" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "and·His·house" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·the·kings', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֥הוּ [and·they·buried·him] (329) + בְעִיר־דָּוִ֖יד [in·city·of·David] (306) + עִם־הַמְּלָכִ֑ים [with·the·kings] (255) + כִּֽי־עָשָׂ֤ה [because·he·did] (405) + טוֹבָה֙ [good] (22) + בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל [in·Israel] (543) + וְעִ֥ם [and·with] (116) + הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים [God] (91) + וּבֵיתֽוֹ [and·His·house] (424) = 2491.
Metzudat David
'In Israel' — in that he set up for them a king of the seed of David. 'And toward God' — in that he drew Israel near to the service of the Omnipresent. 'And His house' — in that he appointed the officers over it.
Malbim
because he had done good in Israel - He redeemed them from the hand of the wicked Athaliah, and reestablished the kingdom of the House of David. and toward God and His house - He restored the House of Hashem to its proper condition.
Now after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came, and prostrated themselves before the king. Then the king hearkened to them.
verse value 2780
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 50 letters. Notable word values: "to·them" (אֲלֵיהֶֽם) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "then" (אָ֛ז, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·they·prostrated·themselves" (וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ, 7 letters). The root מלך appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "they·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "Judah" (root יהודה, 129x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·king', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְאַחֲרֵ֥י [and·after] (225) + מוֹת֙ [death·of] (446) + יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע [Jehoiada] (105) + בָּ֚אוּ [they·came] (9) + שָׂרֵ֣י [princes·of] (510) + יְהוּדָ֔ה [Judah] (30) + וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ [and·they·prostrated·themselves] (736) + לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ [to·the·king] (120) + אָ֛ז [then] (8) + שָׁמַ֥ע [he·hearkened] (410) + הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + אֲלֵיהֶֽם [to·them] (86) = 2780.
Metzudat David
'And prostrated themselves before the king' — Our Sages said that they made him into a god, saying to him: Behold, it is written, 'and the stranger that draws near shall be put to death' (Numbers 18:7); yet you were in the Temple six years and are still alive, so it is only right that we serve you with the service due a god. 'Then the king hearkened' — he accepted what they said.
Malbim
and prostrated themselves before the king - Our Sages explained that they bowed to him as to a deity, telling him that since he had stood in the Holy of Holies for many days, there was divinity within him. As long as Jehoiada was alive he did not listen to them, but once Jehoiada was gone, he did.
And they forsook the house of Hashem, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness.
verse value 5343
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 79 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5343 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "this" (זֹֽאת, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·idols" (וְאֶת־הָעֲצַבִּ֑ים, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·forsook" (וַיַּעַזְב֗וּ), "and·they·served" (וַיַּעַבְד֥וּ), "and·the·idols" (וְאֶת־הָעֲצַבִּ֑ים). 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "the·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root אשמה ("in·their·guiltiness") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·the·idols', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: וַיַּעַזְב֗וּ [and·they·forsook] (101) + אֶת־בֵּ֤ית [the·house·of] (813) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵ֣י [the·God·of] (46) + אֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶ֔ם [their·fathers] (464) + וַיַּעַבְד֥וּ [and·they·served] (98) + אֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים [the·Asherim] (957) + וְאֶת־הָעֲצַבִּ֑ים [and·the·idols] (624) + וַֽיְהִי־קֶ֗צֶף [and·it·was·wrath] (301) + עַל־יְהוּדָה֙ [upon·Judah] (130) + וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם [and·Jerusalem] (592) + בְּאַשְׁמָתָ֖ם [in·their·guiltiness] (783) + זֹֽאת [this] (408) = 5343.
Metzudat David
'And they forsook,' etc. — and as a result of this they forsook the house of Hashem and served the Asherim. 'For this their guiltiness' — on account of this guilt of theirs.
Malbim
And they forsook - After they had made him into a deity, they made idols in his image and planted Asherah-trees in his name, and forsook the House of Hashem. and wrath came... for this their guiltiness - Even though they did not worship any other idol, this itself was full-fledged idolatry.
Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to Hashem; and they admonished them, but they would not give ear.
verse value 1212
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 42 letters. The shortest word is "in·them" (בָ֖ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·bring·them·back" (לַהֲשִׁיבָ֖ם, 6 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·bring·them·back" (לַהֲשִׁיבָ֖ם), "and·they·admonished" (וַיָּעִ֥ידוּ), "they·gave·ear" (הֶאֱזִֽינוּ). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·not" (root לא, 86x in II Chronicles); "to·bring·them·back" (root שוב, 62x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח [and·He·sent] (354) + בָּהֶם֙ [in·them] (47) + נְבִאִ֔ים [prophets] (103) + לַהֲשִׁיבָ֖ם [to·bring·them·back] (387) + אֶל־יְהֹוָ֑ה [to·Hashem] (57) + וַיָּעִ֥ידוּ [and·they·admonished] (106) + בָ֖ם [in·them] (42) + וְלֹ֥א [and·not] (37) + הֶאֱזִֽינוּ [they·gave·ear] (79) = 1212.
Ralbag
'and they admonished them, but they would not give ear' - Meaning, they warned them of the evils that would come upon them if they did not return to Hashem. And now [Scripture] goes on to relate that:
Metzudat David
'And they admonished them' — they warned them; the word is used because one who gives such a warning does so before witnesses, so that the matter cannot later be denied. 'But they would not give ear' — they did not incline their ear to listen.
And the spirit of God clothed Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them: ‘Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of Hashem, that you cannot prosper? because you have forsaken Hashem, He has also forsaken you.’
verse value 6536
Insights
Verse structure: 25 words, 114 letters. Notable word values: "God" (אֱלֹהִ֗ים) = 86, equal to Elohim. Verse gematria: 6536 is divisible by 86, the value of Elohim. The shortest word is "thus" (כֹּ֣ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "son·of·Jehoiada" (בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 140: from·above, to·the·people. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·spirit·of" (וְר֣וּחַ), "she·clothed" (לָֽבְשָׁה֙), "Zechariah" (אֶת־זְכַרְיָה֙). The root אלהים appears 2 times in this verse. 21 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "son·of·Jehoiada" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 16 words.
Rashi
above the people Higher than the people, in order to make his voice heard. In Lamentations Rabbah (Proem 23), it is interpreted as meaning that he relied on himself; he was a prince higher than all the people, a prophet and a priest, and it was Yom Kippur, and he was the king’s son-in-law, and he was not afraid to say the prophecy. Concerning this incident, it was stated (Lam. 2:20): “shall priest and prophet be slain in the Sanctuary of the Lord?”
Metzudat David
'Above the people' — in a place higher than all the people, so that all of them could hear.
Malbim
And the spirit - He sets out several points that magnify the gravity of their sin in killing Zechariah, which was very great: 1) At that moment he was clothed with the spirit of God and with prophecy, and was a messenger of Hashem. 2) He stood above the people, at the highest rank, for he was the High Priest - as it is written, "Shall priest and prophet be slain in the Sanctuary of Hashem?" 3) He did not prophesy evil against them, but only warned and rebuked them, saying, 'Why do you transgress?' - meaning, to what end? If you imagine that by this you will succeed, the opposite is true: you will not succeed, for Hashem will forsake you because of it.
And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of Hashem.
verse value 2432
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 40 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "stone" (אֶ֖בֶן, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·they·stoned·him" (וַיִּרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ, 7 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·stoned·him" (וַיִּרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ), "in·court·of" (בַּחֲצַ֖ר). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·king', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקְשְׁר֣וּ [and·they·conspired] (622) + עָלָ֔יו [against·him] (116) + וַיִּרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ [and·they·stoned·him] (270) + אֶ֖בֶן [stone] (53) + בְּמִצְוַ֣ת [in·commandment·of] (538) + הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + בַּחֲצַ֖ר [in·court·of] (300) + בֵּ֥ית [house·of] (412) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 2432.
Ralbag
By the king's command they put to death, in the court of the House of Hashem, Zechariah the prophet, son of Jehoiada, because he had been rebuking them - and Hashem, may He be blessed, did not delay His vengeance for this. For (v. 23) at the turn of the year, the army of Aram came up against him and destroyed all the officers of the people from among the people - meaning, they left none of them alive - and Hashem, may He be blessed, delivered a very great army into their hands, even though the army of Aram was small in number; and they struck Joash with many severe and extraordinary blows. And when they departed from him, (v. 25) his own servants conspired against him over the guilt of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. Now it says 'the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest' on account of the sons who were destined to descend from him, just as it says, 'the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons' (II Kings 9:26). Or perhaps he ordered other sons of Jehoiada to be put to death as well, because they had been reproaching him for killing their brother. Now this war mentioned here is a different war from the one mentioned in the Book of Kings at this point.
Metzudat David
'At the commandment of the king' — he commanded that he be stoned with stones.
Malbim
And they conspired against him - 4) They did not kill him through a judicial process conducted by the elders, but through a conspiracy - and not even in keeping with the laws of the monarchy, for they stoned him at the king's command, whereas the king had authority to execute only by the sword. 5) It happened in the courtyard of the House of Hashem, a holy place.
Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said: ‘Hashem look upon it, and require it.’
verse value 4028
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 68 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֨ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·not·he·remembered" (וְלֹא־זָכַ֞ר, 6 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·not·he·remembered" (וְלֹא־זָכַ֞ר), "the·kindness" (הַחֶ֙סֶד֙), "his·son" (אֶת־בְּנ֑וֹ). 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "his·son" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'his·son', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 5 words.
Rashi
and upon his death, he said, “May the Lord see and requite.” For they have slain me only because I spoke as the Omnipresent’s medium, and since I have been slain for His sake, it is proper and fitting that He requite my blood. And so it was: his blood was immediately requited, for “it came to pass at the turn of the year, etc.”
Metzudat David
'The kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him' — that he had saved him from death and made him king over Israel. 'Hashem look upon it' — meaning, they are killing me for nothing; may He demand my blood of them and take vengeance for me.
Malbim
Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness - 6) He did not remember the kindness, but repaid good with evil. 7) At his death, he handed the judgment over to Heaven.
And it came to pass, when the year had come about, that the army of the Arameans came up against him; and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them to the king of Damascus.
verse value 6125
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 86 letters. The shortest word is "he·went·up" (עָלָ֣ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·Judah" (אֶל־יְהוּדָה֙, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·turning·of" (לִתְקוּפַ֣ת), "to·Judah" (אֶל־יְהוּדָה֙), "and·they·destroyed" (וַיַּשְׁחִ֛יתוּ). The root עם appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·king·of" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "and·they·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "the·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 4 words.
Rashi
And it came to pass at the turn of the year Because the sons of Judah sinned more than the other tribes, as it is written above (verse 18): “And they forsook the House of the Lord, the God of their fathers.” and they destroyed all the princes of the people This refers back to the above (verse 17): “And after the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came and prostrated themselves to the king,” and caused Joash to sin after them. Because of that, they were paid in kind: the army of Aram came and destroyed all the princes of the people. from among the people from being a people.
Metzudat David
'When the year had come about' — meaning, when the sun had circled around to reach that very point at which it stood at the time [Zechariah] was killed. 'From among the people' — meaning, from the people; for they left the [common] people alone and destroyed only the princes, to show them that this came as a punishment for their having bowed down to the king.
Malbim
And it came to pass - Their punishment was not delayed, for at the very turn of the year the army of Aram came up against him. It is explained in Kings, there, that before this Hazael king of Aram wished to advance against him, and Joash gave him all his treasures so that he would withdraw. It was concerning this that Zechariah had rebuked them - that by forsaking Hashem they would not succeed. Ezra relates that at the turn of the year the army of Aram came up of its own accord, without their king, and destroyed all the princes of the people.
For the army of the Arameans came with a small company of men; and Hashem delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken Hashem, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment upon Joash.
verse value 4635
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 80 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּי֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "their·fathers" (אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 48: army·of, host. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·fewness·of" (בְמִצְעַ֨ר), "and·Joash" (וְאֶת־יוֹאָ֖שׁ). The root כי appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "they·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'their·fathers', dividing the verse into phrases of 17 and 3 words.
Metzudat David
'With a small company of men' — meaning, it is apparent that this came by way of punishment, through [divine] providence; for Aram came with few men, while the men of Judah were a great army, and yet they fell into their hands. 'They executed judgment' — they inflicted upon him the punishment of suffering.
Metzudat Zion
With a small [company] (b'mitzar) - With few, as in 'and it is a little one' (Genesis 19).
Malbim
For - This means it was plain and evident that this was a punishment of divine providence: they [the Arameans] came with but a scant company of men, yet Hashem delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken Him - along the lines of (Deuteronomy 32:30), 'for their Rock had given them over.' So they executed judgment upon Joash - with harsh torments. Our Sages explained that they tortured him, for the word 'judgments' (shefatim) is used for this very outrage; and this was a punishment for his having made himself into a deity.
And when they had departed from him—for they left him in great diseases—his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died; and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the sepulchres of the kings.
verse value 6156
Insights
Verse structure: 23 words, 114 letters. Verse gematria: 6156 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "him" (אֹתוֹ֮, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·diseases" (בְּמַחֲלֻיִ֣ים, 7 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·in·their·going" (וּבְלֶכְתָּ֣ם), "in·diseases" (בְּמַחֲלֻיִ֣ים), "they·conspired" (הִתְקַשְּׁר֨וּ). The root קבר appears 3 times in this verse. 21 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·kings" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "against·him" (root על, 111x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·he·died', dividing the verse into phrases of 16 and 7 words.
Rashi
for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest Because of the blood of Zechariah, who was the son of Jehoiada, for he should have remembered the favors and the loving-kindness that Jehoiada had bestowed upon him, and because of that iniquity, his servants conspired against him and slew him in his bed. They meted out to him a measure corresponding to a measure. Because Zechariah was slain, tranquil and secure, with nothing to worry about, for he was the son of Jehoiada, and out of respect for him [Jehoiada], they respected him [Zechariah], and spilled his blood onto the ground, therefore, he [Jehoash] too was slain in tranquility and security in his bed.
Metzudat David
'And when they had departed from him' — at the time the Arameans left him, it was not because they took pity on him, but rather because they left him afflicted with many diseases, having already done to him all that lay in their power. 'Conspired' — at that time his own servants conspired against him, to avenge the blood of the sons of Jehoiada; and although only Zechariah had been killed, it says 'sons' [in the plural], just as it says 'and the sons of Dan: Hushim' (Genesis 46:23) [though Dan had but one son].
Metzudat Zion
Conspired (hitkashru) - Formed a band of rebellion.
Malbim
And when they had departed from him - In Kings it says that they killed him at Beit Millo - meaning that he lay sick there on his bed, and there they killed him; and this was a punishment for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada.
And these are they who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.
verse value 4215
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 53 letters. Notable word values: "Zabad" (זָבָ֗ד) = 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "Zabad" (זָבָ֗ד, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·ones·conspiring" (הַמִּתְקַשְּׁרִ֣ים, 8 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·ones·conspiring" (הַמִּתְקַשְּׁרִ֣ים), "Zabad" (זָבָ֗ד), "son·of·Shimeath" (בֶּן־שִׁמְעָת֙). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Shimeath" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "against·him" (root על, 111x in II Chronicles); "and·these" (root אלה, 24x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'against·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְאֵ֖לֶּה [and·these] (42) + הַמִּתְקַשְּׁרִ֣ים [the·ones·conspiring] (1095) + עָלָ֑יו [against·him] (116) + זָבָ֗ד [Zabad] (13) + בֶּן־שִׁמְעָת֙ [son·of·Shimeath] (862) + הָעַמּוֹנִ֔ית [the·Ammonitess] (581) + וִיה֣וֹזָבָ֔ד [and·Jehozabad] (40) + בֶּן־שִׁמְרִ֖ית [son·of·Shimrith] (1002) + הַמּוֹאָבִֽית [the·Moabitess] (464) = 4215.
Rashi
the Moabitess What difference does it make who they were and from whom they were descended? However, [Scripture means that] those ingrates who did not show their gratitude for the favor of Abraham our father to Lot their father, who fought with the kings when he heard that Lot was captured, and they hired Balaam to curse his sons; [they were chosen] to punish Joash, who [similarly] did not show gratitude to Jehoiada and slew his son Zechariah. It is explained this way in Mechilta (Exod. 17:8).
Metzudat Zion
Zabad (Zavad) - In the Book of Kings he is called 'Jozacar,' and he was known by both names; and so too, [the mother's name] here is 'Shimrith,' while there it is 'Shomer.'
Now concerning his sons, and the multitude of the burdens against him, and the rebuilding of the house of God, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
verse value 4387
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 76 letters. Notable word values: "and·rebuilding·of" (וִיסוֹד֙) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "be·or·become·great" (יִ֧רֶב, 3 letters) and the longest is "God" (הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים, 6 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "be·or·become·great" (יִ֧רֶב), "the·burdens" (הַמַּשָּׂ֣א), "and·rebuilding·of" (וִיסוֹד֙). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·kings" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "and·his·sons" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root אמציהו ("Amaziah") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·kings', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 4 words.
Ralbag
'Now concerning his sons, and the multitude of the burdens against him, and the rebuilding of the house of God' - Meaning, the sons of Jehoiada whom he killed, from among whom the burden of prophecy against Joash multiplied; and [one of them] used to rebuke him - that is Zechariah, whom he killed in the House of God - and the rebuilding of the House of God, which he had built and strengthened. Behold, all of this was written in the Midrash of the Book of the Kings. And I think that this is the book in which they expounded the events of each and every king and his chronicles, and gathered all of this into this book. Or it is a different book, not extant among us - and this is the more correct view.
Metzudat David
'And his sons' — a record telling of his sons. 'The multitude of the burdens against him' — and what is called the abundant 'burden' against him refers to the abundance of prophecies that the prophets prophesied concerning him. 'And the rebuilding' — a record of the founding of the house of God, which he strengthened and repaired. 'In the commentary' — the Book of Chronicles of the Kings is called a midrash, because in it the affairs and events of the kings are expounded.
Metzudat Zion
Multitude (yerev) - An expression of abundance.
Malbim
Now concerning his sons - According to the Ketiv [the written text], the meaning is 'his sons' [literally], and likewise 'the multitude of the burden' spoken concerning him refers to the prophecies of the prophets [against him]. and the rebuilding of the house of God - [meaning] how he first renewed the House of God - all of this is written in the commentary of the book of the kings. But according to the Qere [the traditional reading], these were in fact the names of his sons: one was named 'the-burden-was-upon-him' (Yarev hamassa alav), and the other was named 'Foundation-of-the-House-of-God' (Yesod Beit HaElohim); and the account of his sons is written in the commentary of the book of the kings.
Malbim