Jehoiada (The Priest Who Guided King Joash of Judah)
The High Priest Who Preserved David's Royal Line
Jehoiada was the high priest in Jerusalem during Queen Athaliah's tyrannical rule. He hid the young Joash in the temple for six years and led a successful coup against Athaliah to restore the Davidic royal line. Throughout his life, he guided King Joash and led the people back to worshiping the Lord, and he was honored with a burial among the kings when he died at the age of 130.
Family
Key events
Jehoiada Hides Joash in the Temple
When Queen Athaliah killed the entire royal family after her son Ahaziah's death, Jehoiada collaborated with his wife Josheba to hide the little Joash in the temple for six years.
1When Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, saw that her son was dead, she rose up and destroyed the whole royal family.
וַֽעֲתַלְיָה֙ אֵ֣ם אֲחַזְיָ֔הוּ *וראתה **רָאֲתָ֖ה כִּ֣י מֵ֣ת בְּנָ֑הּ וַתָּ֙קָם֙ וַתְּאַבֵּ֔ד אֵ֖ת כָּל־זֶ֥רַע הַמַּמְלָכָֽה׃
2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being put to death. She hid him and his nurse in a bedroom, out of Athaliah's sight, and so he was not killed.
וַתִּקַּ֣ח יְהוֹשֶׁ֣בַע בַּת־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ־י֠וֹרָם אֲח֨וֹת אֲחַזְיָ֜הוּ אֶת־יוֹאָ֣שׁ בֶּן־אֲחַזְיָ֗ה וַתִּגְנֹ֤ב אֹתוֹ֙ מִתּ֤וֹךְ בְּנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ *הממותתים **הַמּ֣וּמָתִ֔ים אֹת֥וֹ וְאֶת־מֵינִקְתּ֖וֹ בַּחֲדַ֣ר הַמִּטּ֑וֹת וַיַּסְתִּ֧רוּ אֹת֛וֹ מִפְּנֵ֥י עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ וְלֹ֥א הוּמָֽת׃
3He remained hidden with her in the house of the LORD for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
וַיְהִ֤י אִתָּהּ֙ בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה מִתְחַבֵּ֖א שֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֑ים וַעֲתַלְיָ֖ה מֹלֶ֥כֶת עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ פ
10When Athaliah, Ahaziah's mother, saw that her son was dead, she set about destroying the whole royal line of the house of Judah.
וַעֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ אֵ֣ם אֲחַזְיָ֔הוּ רָאֲתָ֖ה כִּ֣י מֵ֣ת בְּנָ֑הּ וַתָּ֗קָם וַתְּדַבֵּ֛ר אֶת־כָּל־זֶ֥רַע הַמַּמְלָכָ֖ה לְבֵ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה׃
11But Jehoshabeath, the king's daughter, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. So Jehoshabeath, daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest—she was Ahaziah's sister—hid him from Athaliah, and Athaliah did not put him to death.
וַתִּקַּח֩ יְהוֹשַׁבְעַ֨ת בַּת־הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ אֶת־יוֹאָ֣שׁ בֶּן־אֲחַזְיָ֗הוּ וַתִּגְנֹ֤ב אֹתוֹ֙ מִתּ֤וֹךְ בְּנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַמּ֣וּמָתִ֔ים וַתִּתֵּ֥ן אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־מֵֽינִקְתּ֖וֹ בַּחֲדַ֣ר הַמִּטּ֑וֹת וַתַּסְתִּירֵ֡הוּ יְהוֹשַׁבְעַ֣ת בַּת־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ יְהוֹרָ֡ם אֵשֶׁת֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע הַכֹּהֵ֜ן כִּ֣י הִיא֩ הָיְתָ֨ה אֲח֧וֹת אֲחַזְיָ֛הוּ מִפְּנֵ֥י עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ וְלֹ֥א הֱמִיתָֽתְהוּ׃
12He remained hidden with them in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah ruled the land.
וַיְהִ֤י אִתָּם֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים מִתְחַבֵּ֖א שֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים וַעֲתַלְיָ֖ה מֹלֶ֥כֶת עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ פ
The Coup Against Queen Athaliah
After six years, Jehoiada organized a carefully planned coup in which he allied himself with the captains of hundreds and the royal guard, anointing the seven-year-old Joash as king, leading to Athaliah's downfall and execution.
4In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, of the royal guard and of the palace guards, and brought them to himself in the house of the LORD. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath there in the house of the LORD, and then he showed them the king's son.
וּבַשָּׁנָ֣ה הַ֠שְּׁבִיעִית שָׁלַ֨ח יְהוֹיָדָ֜ע וַיִּקַּ֣ח ׀ אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י *המאיות **הַמֵּא֗וֹת לַכָּרִי֙ וְלָ֣רָצִ֔ים וַיָּבֵ֥א אֹתָ֛ם אֵלָ֖יו בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה וַיִּכְרֹת֩ לָהֶ֨ם בְּרִ֜ית וַיַּשְׁבַּ֤ע אֹתָם֙ בְּבֵ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה וַיַּ֥רְא אֹתָ֖ם אֶת־בֶּן־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
5He gave them these orders: "This is what you are to do. A third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath are to keep watch over the royal palace;
וַיְצַוֵּ֣ם לֵאמֹ֔ר זֶ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲשׂ֑וּן הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֤ית מִכֶּם֙ בָּאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת וְשֹׁ֣מְרֵ֔י מִשְׁמֶ֖רֶת בֵּ֥ית הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
6a third are to be at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guards. You are to stand guard over the house, taking your turns.
וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ בְּשַׁ֣עַר ס֔וּר וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֥ית בַּשַּׁ֖עַר אַחַ֣ר הָרָצִ֑ים וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֛ם אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת הַבַּ֖יִת מַסָּֽח׃
7The two remaining divisions of you, all who go off duty on the Sabbath, are to keep watch over the house of the LORD for the king.
וּשְׁתֵּ֤י הַיָּדוֹת֙ בָּכֶ֔ם כֹּ֖ל יֹצְאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת וְשָֽׁמְר֛וּ אֶת־מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת בֵּית־יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
8Surround the king on every side, each man with his weapon in his hand. Whoever breaks through the ranks is to be put to death. Stay with the king wherever he goes."
וְהִקַּפְתֶּ֨ם עַל־הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ סָבִ֗יב אִ֚ישׁ וְכֵלָ֣יו בְּיָד֔וֹ וְהַבָּ֥א אֶל־הַשְּׂדֵר֖וֹת יוּמָ֑ת וִהְי֥וּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בְּצֵאת֥וֹ וּבְבֹאֽוֹ׃
9The commanders of hundreds did everything Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each took his men, both those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty, and they came to Jehoiada the priest.
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֞וּ שָׂרֵ֣י *המאיות **הַמֵּא֗וֹת כְּכֹ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה֮ יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע הַכֹּהֵן֒ וַיִּקְחוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אֲנָשָׁ֔יו בָּאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת עִ֖ם יֹצְאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל־יְהוֹיָדָ֥ע הַכֹּהֵֽן׃
10Then the priest handed out to the commanders the spears and the shields that had belonged to King David and were kept in the house of the LORD.
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן הַכֹּהֵ֜ן לְשָׂרֵ֣י *המאיות **הַמֵּא֗וֹת אֶֽת־הַחֲנִית֙ וְאֶת־הַשְּׁלָטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֑ד אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּבֵ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
11The guards took up their positions, each man with his weapon in his hand, surrounding the king from the south side of the temple to the north side, by the altar and the temple.
וַיַּעַמְד֨וּ הָרָצִ֜ים אִ֣ישׁ ׀ וְכֵלָ֣יו בְּיָד֗וֹ מִכֶּ֨תֶף הַבַּ֤יִת הַיְמָנִית֙ עַד־כֶּ֤תֶף הַבַּ֙יִת֙ הַשְּׂמָאלִ֔ית לַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ וְלַבָּ֑יִת עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ סָבִֽיב׃
12Jehoiada brought out the king's son, placed the crown on him and gave him the covenant scroll. They proclaimed him king and anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!"
וַיּוֹצִ֣א אֶת־בֶּן־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וַיִּתֵּ֤ן עָלָיו֙ אֶת־הַנֵּ֙זֶר֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣עֵד֔וּת וַיַּמְלִ֥כוּ אֹת֖וֹ וַיִּמְשָׁחֻ֑הוּ וַיַּכּוּ־כָ֔ף וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ יְחִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ס
13When Athaliah heard the noise of the guards and the people, she went to the people at the house of the LORD.
וַתִּשְׁמַ֣ע עֲתַלְיָ֔ה אֶת־ק֥וֹל הָֽרָצִ֖ין הָעָ֑ם וַתָּבֹ֥א אֶל־הָעָ֖ם בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
14There she saw the king standing by the pillar, as the custom was, with the officers and the trumpeters beside him, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason! Treason!"
וַתֵּ֡רֶא וְהִנֵּ֣ה הַמֶּלֶךְ֩ עֹמֵ֨ד עַֽל־הָעַמּ֜וּד כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֗ט וְהַשָּׂרִ֤ים וְהַחֲצֹֽצְרוֹת֙ אֶל־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְכָל־עַ֤ם הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ שָׂמֵ֔חַ וְתֹקֵ֖עַ בַּחֲצֹֽצְר֑וֹת וַתִּקְרַ֤ע עֲתַלְיָה֙ אֶת־בְּגָדֶ֔יהָ וַתִּקְרָ֖א קֶ֥שֶׁר קָֽשֶׁר׃ ס
15Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of hundreds who were in charge of the troops, "Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "She must not be put to death in the house of the LORD."
וַיְצַו֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־שָׂרֵ֥י *המיאות **הַמֵּא֣וֹת ׀ פְּקֻדֵ֣י הַחַ֗יִל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם֙ הוֹצִ֤יאוּ אֹתָהּ֙ אֶל־מִבֵּ֣ית לַשְּׂדֵרֹ֔ת וְהַבָּ֥א אַחֲרֶ֖יהָ הָמֵ֣ת בֶּחָ֑רֶב כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן אַל־תּוּמַ֖ת בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
16So they seized her, and she was taken by the way the horses enter the palace, and there she was put to death.
וַיָּשִׂ֤מוּ לָהּ֙ יָדַ֔יִם וַתָּב֛וֹא דֶּֽרֶךְ־מְב֥וֹא הַסּוּסִ֖ים בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַתּוּמַ֖ת שָֽׁם׃ ס
1In the seventh year Jehoiada took courage and brought the commanders of hundreds into a covenant with him: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.
וּבַשָּׁנָ֨ה הַשְּׁבִעִ֜ית הִתְחַזַּ֣ק יְהוֹיָדָ֗ע וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י הַמֵּא֡וֹת לַעֲזַרְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־יְרֹחָ֡ם וּלְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־יְ֠הוֹחָנָן וְלַֽעֲזַרְיָ֨הוּ בֶן־עוֹבֵ֜ד וְאֶת־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֧הוּ בֶן־עֲדָיָ֛הוּ וְאֶת־אֱלִישָׁפָ֥ט בֶּן־זִכְרִ֖י עִמּ֥וֹ בַבְּרִֽית׃
2They traveled throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the towns of Judah, along with the heads of the families of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
וַיָּסֹ֙בּוּ֙ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּקְבְּצ֤וּ אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם֙ מִכָּל־עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וְרָאשֵׁ֥י הָאָב֖וֹת לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃
3Then the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God. Jehoiada said to them, "Here is the king's son! He shall reign, just as the LORD promised concerning the sons of David.
וַיִּכְרֹ֨ת כָּל־הַקָּהָ֥ל בְּרִ֛ית בְּבֵ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים עִם־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֗ם הִנֵּ֤ה בֶן־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ יִמְלֹ֔ךְ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה עַל־בְּנֵ֥י דָוִֽיד׃
4This is what you are to do: a third of you priests and Levites who come on duty on the Sabbath are to guard the doors,
זֶ֥ה הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ הַשְּׁלִשִׁ֨ית מִכֶּ֜ם בָּאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת לַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ וְלַלְוִיִּ֔ם לְשֹֽׁעֲרֵ֖י הַסִּפִּֽים׃
5a third are to be at the royal palace, and a third at the Foundation Gate, while all the people are to be in the courts of the house of the LORD.
וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁית֙ בְּבֵ֣ית הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַיְס֑וֹד וְכָל־הָעָ֔ם בְּחַצְר֖וֹת בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
6No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and the Levites who minister there; they may enter, for they are consecrated. But all the people are to keep the watch of the LORD.
וְאַל־יָב֣וֹא בֵית־יְהוָ֗ה כִּ֤י אִם־הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ וְהַמְשָׁרְתִ֣ים לַלְוִיִּ֔ם הֵ֥מָּה יָבֹ֖אוּ כִּי־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הֵ֑מָּה וְכָל־הָעָ֔ם יִשְׁמְר֖וּ מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת יְהוָֽה׃
7The Levites are to surround the king, each man with his weapons in his hand, and anyone who enters the temple is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes."
וְהִקִּיפוּ֩ הַלְוִיִּ֨ם אֶת־הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ סָבִ֗יב אִ֚ישׁ וְכֵלָ֣יו בְּיָד֔וֹ וְהַבָּ֥א אֶל־הַבַּ֖יִת יוּמָ֑ת וִֽהְי֥וּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ בְּבֹא֥וֹ וּבְצֵאתֽוֹ׃
8The Levites and all Judah did everything Jehoiada the priest had commanded. Each of them took his men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty—for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions.
וַיַּעֲשׂ֨וּ הַלְוִיִּ֜ם וְכָל־יְהוּדָ֗ה כְּכֹ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּה֮ יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע הַכֹּהֵן֒ וַיִּקְחוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־אֲנָשָׁ֔יו בָּאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֔ת עִ֖ם יוֹצְאֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת כִּ֣י לֹ֥א פָטַ֛ר יְהוֹיָדָ֥ע הַכֹּהֵ֖ן אֶת־הַֽמַּחְלְקֽוֹת׃
9Jehoiada the priest gave the commanders of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields that had belonged to King David and were kept in the house of God.
וַיִּתֵּן֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע הַכֹּהֵ֜ן לְשָׂרֵ֣י הַמֵּא֗וֹת אֶת־הַֽחֲנִיתִים֙ וְאֶת־הַמָּגִנּוֹת֙ וְאֶת־הַשְּׁלָטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ דָּוִ֑יד אֲשֶׁ֖ר בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃
10He stationed all the people, each man with his weapon in his hand, around the king—from the right side of the temple to the left, near the altar and the temple.
וַיַּעֲמֵ֨ד אֶת־כָּל־הָעָ֜ם וְאִ֣ישׁ ׀ שִׁלְח֣וֹ בְיָד֗וֹ מִכֶּ֨תֶף הַבַּ֤יִת הַיְמָנִית֙ עַד־כֶּ֤תֶף הַבַּ֙יִת֙ הַשְּׂמָאלִ֔ית לַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ וְלַבָּ֑יִת עַל־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ סָבִֽיב׃
11Then they brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, gave him the testimony, and proclaimed him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they shouted, "Long live the king!"
וַיּוֹצִ֣יאוּ אֶת־בֶּן־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ עָלָיו֙ אֶת־הַנֵּ֙זֶר֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣עֵד֔וּת וַיַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֹת֑וֹ וַיִּמְשָׁחֻ֙הוּ֙ יְהוֹיָדָ֣ע וּבָנָ֔יו וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ יְחִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ס
12When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to them at the house of the LORD.
וַתִּשְׁמַ֣ע עֲתַלְיָ֗הוּ אֶת־ק֤וֹל הָעָם֙ הָֽרָצִ֔ים וְהַֽמְהַֽלְלִ֖ים אֶת־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַתָּב֥וֹא אֶל־הָעָ֖ם בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
13She looked, and there was the king, standing by his pillar at the entrance, with the officers and the trumpeters beside him. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers were leading the praise with their instruments. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason! Treason!"
וַתֵּ֡רֶא וְהִנֵּ֣ה הַמֶּלֶךְ֩ עוֹמֵ֨ד עַֽל־עַמּוּד֜וֹ בַּמָּב֗וֹא וְהַשָּׂרִ֣ים וְהַחֲצֹצְרוֹת֮ עַל־הַמֶּלֶךְ֒ וְכָל־עַ֨ם הָאָ֜רֶץ שָׂמֵ֗חַ וְתוֹקֵ֙עַ֙ בַּחֲצֹ֣צְר֔וֹת וְהַמְשֽׁוֹרֲרִים֙ בִּכְלֵ֣י הַשִּׁ֔יר וּמוֹדִיעִ֖ים לְהַלֵּ֑ל וַתִּקְרַ֤ע עֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ אֶת־בְּגָדֶ֔יהָ וַתֹּ֖אמֶר קֶ֥שֶׁר קָֽשֶׁר׃ ס
14Jehoiada the priest brought out the commanders of hundreds who were in charge of the troops and said to them, "Take her out between the ranks, and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not put her to death in the house of the LORD."
וַיּוֹצֵא֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת־שָׂרֵ֥י הַמֵּא֣וֹת ׀ פְּקוּדֵ֣י הַחַ֗יִל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ הֽוֹצִיא֙וּהָ֙ אֶל־מִבֵּ֣ית הַשְּׂדֵר֔וֹת וְהַבָּ֥א אַחֲרֶ֖יהָ יוּמַ֣ת בֶּחָ֑רֶב כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֔ן לֹ֥א תְמִית֖וּהָ בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
15So they seized her, and when she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate at the royal palace, they put her to death there.
וַיָּשִׂ֤ימוּ לָהּ֙ יָדַ֔יִם וַתָּב֛וֹא אֶל־מְב֥וֹא שַֽׁעַר־הַסּוּסִ֖ים בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיְמִית֖וּהָ שָֽׁם׃ פ
Jehoiada Renews the Covenant
Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people that they would be the Lord's people, and also between the king and the people. The people tore down Baal's temple and killed Mattan, Baal's priest.
17Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they would be the LORD's people; and also between the king and the people.
וַיִּכְרֹ֨ת יְהוֹיָדָ֜ע אֶֽת־הַבְּרִ֗ית בֵּ֤ין יְהוָה֙ וּבֵ֤ין הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וּבֵ֣ין הָעָ֔ם לִהְי֥וֹת לְעָ֖ם לַֽיהוָ֑ה וּבֵ֥ין הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וּבֵ֥ין הָעָֽם׃
18All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed its altars and its images to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. Then Jehoiada the priest appointed officers to oversee the house of the LORD.
וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ כָל־עַם֩ הָאָ֨רֶץ בֵּית־הַבַּ֜עַל וַֽיִּתְּצֻ֗הוּ אֶת־*מזבחתו **מִזְבְּחֹתָ֤יו וְאֶת־צְלָמָיו֙ שִׁבְּר֣וּ הֵיטֵ֔ב וְאֵ֗ת מַתָּן֙ כֹּהֵ֣ן הַבַּ֔עַל הָרְג֖וּ לִפְנֵ֣י הַֽמִּזְבְּח֑וֹת וַיָּ֧שֶׂם הַכֹּהֵ֛ן פְּקֻדּ֖וֹת עַל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
19He took the commanders of hundreds, the royal guard, the palace guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the house of the LORD. They entered the palace through the gate of the guards, and the king took his place on the royal throne.
וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י הַ֠מֵּאוֹת וְאֶת־הַכָּרִ֨י וְאֶת־הָרָצִ֜ים וְאֵ֣ת ׀ כָּל־עַ֣ם הָאָ֗רֶץ וַיֹּרִ֤ידוּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה וַיָּב֛וֹאוּ דֶּֽרֶך־שַׁ֥עַר הָרָצִ֖ים בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב עַל־כִּסֵּ֥א הַמְּלָכִֽים׃
20All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, now that Athaliah had been put to the sword at the royal palace.
וַיִּשְׂמַ֥ח כָּל־עַם־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְהָעִ֣יר שָׁקָ֑טָה וְאֶת־עֲתַלְיָ֛הוּ הֵמִ֥יתוּ בַחֶ֖רֶב בֵּ֥ית *מלך **הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ס
16Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they would be the LORD's people.
וַיִּכְרֹ֤ת יְהוֹיָדָע֙ בְּרִ֔ית בֵּינ֕וֹ וּבֵ֥ין כָּל־הָעָ֖ם וּבֵ֣ין הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ לִהְי֥וֹת לְעָ֖ם לַיהוָֽה׃
17All the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed its altars and its images, and they killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, in front of the altars.
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ כָל־הָעָ֤ם בֵּית־הַבַּ֙עַל֙ וַֽיִּתְּצֻ֔הוּ וְאֶת־מִזְבְּחֹתָ֥יו וְאֶת־צְלָמָ֖יו שִׁבֵּ֑רוּ וְאֵ֗ת מַתָּן֙ כֹּהֵ֣ן הַבַּ֔עַל הָרְג֖וּ לִפְנֵ֥י הַֽמִּזְבְּחֽוֹת׃
18Then Jehoiada placed the oversight of the house of the LORD in the hands of the priests, who were Levites, whom David had assigned to the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as David had directed.
וַיָּשֶׂם֩ יְהוֹיָדָ֨ע פְּקֻדֹּ֜ת בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֗ה בְּיַ֨ד הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים הַלְוִיִּם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָלַ֣ק דָּוִיד֮ עַל־בֵּ֣ית יְהוָה֒ לְֽהַעֲל֞וֹת עֹל֣וֹת יְהוָ֗ה כַּכָּת֛וּב בְּתוֹרַ֥ת מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּשִׂמְחָ֣ה וּבְשִׁ֑יר עַ֖ל יְדֵ֥י דָוִֽיד׃
19He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that no one who was unclean in any way could enter.
וַֽיַּעֲמֵד֙ הַשּׁ֣וֹעֲרִ֔ים עַֽל־שַׁעֲרֵ֖י בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־יָבֹ֥א טָמֵ֖א לְכָל־דָּבָֽר׃
20Then he took the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the house of the LORD. They went through the Upper Gate into the palace and seated the king on the royal throne.
וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י הַמֵּא֡וֹת וְאֶת־הָֽאַדִּירִים֩ וְאֶת־הַמּֽוֹשְׁלִ֨ים בָּעָ֜ם וְאֵ֣ת ׀ כָּל־עַ֣ם הָאָ֗רֶץ וַיּ֤וֹרֶד אֶת־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֛אוּ בְּתֽוֹךְ־שַׁ֥עַר הָֽעֶלְי֖וֹן בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיּוֹשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ אֶת־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עַ֖ל כִּסֵּ֥א הַמַּמְלָכָֽה׃
21All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, for they had put Athaliah to death with the sword.
וַיִּשְׂמְח֥וּ כָל־עַם־הָאָ֖רֶץ וְהָעִ֣יר שָׁקָ֑טָה וְאֶת־עֲתַלְיָ֖הוּ הֵמִ֥יתוּ בֶחָֽרֶב׃ ס
Guidance of King Joash
Jehoiada guided the young Joash throughout his reign, and the king did what was right in the Lord's eyes as long as the priest Jehoiada lived.
2In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah, from Beersheba.
בִּשְׁנַת־שֶׁ֤בַע לְיֵהוּא֙ מָלַ֣ךְ יְהוֹאָ֔שׁ וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירֽוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ צִבְיָ֖ה מִבְּאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃
3Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
וַיַּ֨עַשׂ יְהוֹאָ֧שׁ הַיָּשָׁ֛ר בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה כָּל־יָמָ֑יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹרָ֔הוּ יְהוֹיָדָ֖ע הַכֹּהֵֽן׃
2Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD as long as Jehoiada the priest lived.
וַיַּ֧עַשׂ יוֹאָ֛שׁ הַיָּשָׁ֖ר בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה כָּל־יְמֵ֖י יְהוֹיָדָ֥ע הַכֹּהֵֽן׃
Restoration of the Temple
Under Jehoiada's guidance, King Joash initiated a major restoration of the Lord's temple. Jehoiada placed a collection chest at the entrance to the temple to fund the repair work.
4Yet the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
רַ֥ק הַבָּמ֖וֹת לֹא־סָ֑רוּ ע֥וֹד הָעָ֛ם מְזַבְּחִ֥ים וּֽמְקַטְּרִ֖ים בַּבָּמֽוֹת׃
5Jehoash said to the priests, "All the money from the sacred gifts brought into the house of the LORD—the money each man is assessed, the money paid as the valuation for persons, and all the money that anyone freely decides to bring to the house of the LORD—
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוֹאָ֜שׁ אֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים כֹּל֩ כֶּ֨סֶף הַקֳּדָשִׁ֜ים אֲשֶׁר־יוּבָ֤א בֵית־יְהוָה֙ כֶּ֣סֶף עוֹבֵ֔ר אִ֕ישׁ כֶּ֥סֶף נַפְשׁ֖וֹת עֶרְכּ֑וֹ כָּל־כֶּ֗סֶף אֲשֶׁ֤ר יַֽעֲלֶה֙ עַ֣ל לֶב־אִ֔ישׁ לְהָבִ֖יא בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
6let the priests take it for themselves, each from his own acquaintance, and let them repair whatever damage is found in the house.
יִקְח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים אִ֖ישׁ מֵאֵ֣ת מַכָּר֑וֹ וְהֵ֗ם יְחַזְּקוּ֙ אֶת־בֶּ֣דֶק הַבַּ֔יִת לְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִמָּצֵ֥א שָׁ֖ם בָּֽדֶק׃ פ
7But by the twenty-third year of King Jehoash the priests still had not repaired the damage to the temple.
וַיְהִ֗י בִּשְׁנַ֨ת עֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְשָׁלֹ֛שׁ שָׁנָ֖ה לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ יְהוֹאָ֑שׁ לֹֽא־חִזְּק֥וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים אֶת־בֶּ֥דֶק הַבָּֽיִת׃
8So King Jehoash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and said to them, "Why are you not repairing the damage to the temple? From now on, take no more money from those who deal with you; hand it over instead for the repair of the temple."
וַיִּקְרָא֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ יְהוֹאָ֜שׁ לִיהוֹיָדָ֤ע הַכֹּהֵן֙ וְלַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם מַדּ֛וּעַ אֵינְכֶ֥ם מְחַזְּקִ֖ים אֶת־בֶּ֣דֶק הַבָּ֑יִת וְעַתָּ֗ה אַל־תִּקְחוּ־כֶ֙סֶף֙ מֵאֵ֣ת מַכָּֽרֵיכֶ֔ם כִּֽי־לְבֶ֥דֶק הַבַּ֖יִת תִּתְּנֻֽהוּ׃
9The priests agreed that they would take no more money from the people and would no longer carry out the repairs of the temple themselves.
וַיֵּאֹ֖תוּ הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֑ים לְבִלְתִּ֤י קְחַת־כֶּ֙סֶף֙ מֵאֵ֣ת הָעָ֔ם וּלְבִלְתִּ֥י חַזֵּ֖ק אֶת־בֶּ֥דֶק הַבָּֽיִת׃
10Then Jehoiada the priest took a chest, bored a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar, on the right as one enters the house of the LORD. There the priests who guarded the threshold put all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD.
וַיִּקַּ֞ח יְהוֹיָדָ֤ע הַכֹּהֵן֙ אֲר֣וֹן אֶחָ֔ד וַיִּקֹּ֥ב חֹ֖ר בְּדַלְתּ֑וֹ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֹתוֹ֩ אֵ֨צֶל הַמִּזְבֵּ֜חַ *בימין **מִיָּמִ֗ין בְּבֽוֹא־אִישׁ֙ בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֔ה וְנָֽתְנוּ־שָׁ֤מָּה הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ שֹׁמְרֵ֣י הַסַּ֔ף אֶת־כָּל־הַכֶּ֖סֶף הַמּוּבָ֥א בֵית־יְהוָֽה׃
11Whenever they saw that there was a large amount of money in the chest, the king's secretary and the high priest would come up, tie it in bags, and count the money found in the house of the LORD.
וַֽיְהִי֙ כִּרְאוֹתָ֔ם כִּֽי־רַ֥ב הַכֶּ֖סֶף בָּֽאָר֑וֹן וַיַּ֨עַל סֹפֵ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וְהַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֔וֹל וַיָּצֻ֙רוּ֙ וַיִּמְנ֔וּ אֶת־הַכֶּ֖סֶף הַנִּמְצָ֥א בֵית־יְהוָֽה׃
12They handed over the money that had been counted to the workmen appointed over the house of the LORD, and these paid it out to the carpenters and builders who worked on the house of the LORD,
וְנָתְנוּ֙ אֶת־הַכֶּ֣סֶף הַֽמְתֻכָּ֔ן עַל־*יד **יְדֵי֙ עֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה *הפקדים **הַמֻּפְקָדִ֖ים בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה וַיּוֹצִיאֻ֜הוּ לְחָרָשֵׁ֤י הָעֵץ֙ וְלַבֹּנִ֔ים הָעֹשִׂ֖ים בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
4Some time later Joash resolved to restore the house of the LORD.
וַיְהִ֖י אַחֲרֵיכֵ֑ן הָיָה֙ עִם־לֵ֣ב יוֹאָ֔שׁ לְחַדֵּ֖שׁ אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
5He gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, "Go out to the towns of Judah and collect money from all Israel, year by year, to repair the house of your God. See that you act quickly in this matter." But the Levites did not act quickly.
וַיִּקְבֹּץ֮ אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְהַלְוִיִּם֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֡ם צְא֣וּ לְעָרֵ֪י יְהוּדָ֟ה וְקִבְצוּ֩ מִכָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל כֶּ֜סֶף לְחַזֵּ֣ק ׀ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם מִדֵּ֤י שָׁנָה֙ בְּשָׁנָ֔ה וְאַתֶּ֖ם תְּמַהֲר֣וּ לַדָּבָ֑ר וְלֹ֥א מִֽהֲר֖וּ הַֽלְוִיִּֽם׃
6So the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, "Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax laid down by Moses, the servant of the LORD, and by the assembly of Israel for the tent of the testimony?"
וַיִּקְרָ֣א הַמֶּלֶךְ֮ לִֽיהוֹיָדָ֣ע הָרֹאשׁ֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ מַדּ֙וּעַ֙ לֹֽא־דָרַ֣שְׁתָּ עַל־הַלְוִיִּ֔ם לְהָבִ֞יא מִֽיהוּדָ֣ה וּמִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם אֶת־מַשְׂאַת֙ מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶֽבֶד־יְהוָ֔ה וְהַקָּהָ֖ל לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְאֹ֖הֶל הָעֵדֽוּת׃
7For the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the house of God and had even used all its sacred objects for the Baals.
כִּ֤י עֲתַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ הַמִּרְשַׁ֔עַת בָּנֶ֥יהָ פָרְצ֖וּ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְגַם֙ כָּל־קָדְשֵׁ֣י בֵית־יְהוָ֔ה עָשׂ֖וּ לַבְּעָלִֽים׃
8At the king's command they made a chest and placed it outside, at the gate of the house of the LORD.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּ אֲר֣וֹן אֶחָ֑ד וַֽיִּתְּנֻ֛הוּ בְּשַׁ֥עַר בֵּית־יְהוָ֖ה חֽוּצָה׃
9Then a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem that the tax imposed on Israel in the wilderness by Moses, the servant of God, should be brought to the LORD.
וַיִּתְּנוּ־ק֞וֹל בִּֽיהוּדָ֣ה וּבִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֗ם לְהָבִ֤יא לַֽיהוָה֙ מַשְׂאַ֞ת מֹשֶׁ֧ה עֶֽבֶד־הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
10All the officials and all the people rejoiced; they brought their contributions and dropped them into the chest until it was full.
וַיִּשְׂמְח֥וּ כָל־הַשָּׂרִ֖ים וְכָל־הָעָ֑ם וַיָּבִ֛יאוּ וַיַּשְׁלִ֥יכוּ לָאָר֖וֹן עַד־לְכַלֵּֽה׃
11Whenever the chest was carried by the Levites to the king's officers and they saw that there was a great deal of money in it, the king's secretary and the chief priest's officer would come, empty the chest, and carry it back to its place. This they did day after day, and they collected a large amount of money.
וַיְהִ֡י בְּעֵת֩ יָבִ֨יא אֶת־הֽ͏ָאָר֜וֹן אֶל־פְּקֻדַּ֣ת הַמֶּלֶךְ֮ בְּיַ֣ד הַלְוִיִּם֒ וְכִרְאוֹתָ֞ם כִּי־רַ֣ב הַכֶּ֗סֶף וּבָ֨א סוֹפֵ֤ר הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וּפְקִיד֙ כֹּהֵ֣ן הָרֹ֔אשׁ וִיעָ֙רוּ֙ אֶת־הָ֣אָר֔וֹן וְיִשָּׂאֻ֖הוּ וִֽישִׁיבֻ֣הוּ אֶל־מְקֹמ֑וֹ כֹּ֤ה עָשׂוּ֙ לְי֣וֹם ׀ בְּי֔וֹם וַיַּֽאַסְפוּ־כֶ֖סֶף לָרֹֽב׃
12The king and Jehoiada handed it over to those who carried out the work of the house of the LORD, and they hired stonecutters and carpenters to restore the house of the LORD, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair it.
וַיִּתְּנֵ֨הוּ הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ וִֽיהוֹיָדָ֗ע אֶל־עוֹשֵׂה֙ מְלֶ֙אכֶת֙ עֲבוֹדַ֣ת בֵּית־יְהוָ֔ה וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ שֹׂכְרִים֙ חֹצְבִ֣ים וְחָרָשִׁ֔ים לְחַדֵּ֖שׁ בֵּ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה וְ֠גַם לְחָרָשֵׁ֤י בַרְזֶל֙ וּנְחֹ֔שֶׁת לְחַזֵּ֖ק אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָֽה׃
13The workmen labored, and under their hands the work of repair went forward. They restored the house of God according to its original design and reinforced it.
וַֽיַּעֲשׂוּ֙ עֹשֵׂ֣י הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה וַתַּ֧עַל אֲרוּכָ֛ה לַמְּלָאכָ֖ה בְּיָדָ֑ם וַֽיַּעֲמִ֜ידוּ אֶת־בֵּ֧ית הָֽאֱלֹהִ֛ים עַל־מַתְכֻּנְתּ֖וֹ וַֽיְאַמְּצֻֽהוּ׃
14When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, and it was used to make utensils for the house of the LORD: vessels for the service and for the burnt offerings, dishes, and articles of gold and silver. And throughout Jehoiada's lifetime burnt offerings were presented continually in the house of the LORD.
וּֽכְכַלּוֹתָ֡ם הֵבִ֣יאוּ לִפְנֵי֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ וִֽיהוֹיָדָ֜ע אֶת־שְׁאָ֣ר הַכֶּ֗סֶף וַיַּעֲשֵׂ֨הוּ כֵלִ֤ים לְבֵית־יְהוָה֙ כְּלֵ֣י שָׁרֵ֔ת וְהַעֲל֣וֹת וְכַפּ֔וֹת וּכְלֵ֥י זָהָ֖ב וָכָ֑סֶף וַ֠יִּֽהְיוּ מַעֲלִ֨ים עֹל֤וֹת בְּבֵית־יְהוָה֙ תָּמִ֔יד כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י יְהוֹיָדָֽע׃ פ
Jehoiada's Death and Honorable Burial
Jehoiada died at the age of 130 and was buried in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, for God and for his house. After his death, Joash and the people turned away from the Lord.
15Jehoiada grew old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty.
וַיִּזְקַ֧ן יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע וַיִּשְׂבַּ֥ע יָמִ֖ים וַיָּמֹ֑ת בֶּן־מֵאָ֧ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛ים שָׁנָ֖ה בְּמוֹתֽוֹ׃
16They buried him in the City of David with the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God and toward his house.
וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֥הוּ בְעִיר־דָּוִ֖יד עִם־הַמְּלָכִ֑ים כִּֽי־עָשָׂ֤ה טוֹבָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְעִ֥ם הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים וּבֵיתֽוֹ׃ ס
17After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and bowed before the king, and he listened to them.
וְאַֽחֲרֵ֥י מוֹת֙ יְה֣וֹיָדָ֔ע בָּ֚אוּ שָׂרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ אָ֛ז שָׁמַ֥ע הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
18They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and the idols. Because of this guilt of theirs, wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem.
וַיַּֽעַזְב֗וּ אֶת־בֵּ֤ית יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֔ם וַיַּֽעַבְד֥וּ אֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים וְאֶת־הָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים וַֽיְהִי־קֶ֗צֶף עַל־יְהוּדָה֙ וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם בְּאַשְׁמָתָ֖ם זֹֽאת׃
Mentioned in the Bible (28)
2 Kings 12:32 Kings 12:81 Chronicles 11:221 Chronicles 11:241 Chronicles 12:281 Chronicles 18:171 Chronicles 27:51 Chronicles 27:342 Chronicles 22:112 Chronicles 23:12 Chronicles 23:32 Chronicles 23:92 Chronicles 23:162 Chronicles 23:182 Chronicles 24:22 Chronicles 24:62 Chronicles 24:142 Chronicles 24:152 Chronicles 24:172 Chronicles 24:202 Chronicles 24:222 Chronicles 24:25Nehemiah 3:6Nehemiah 12:10Nehemiah 12:11Nehemiah 12:22Nehemiah 13:28Jeremiah 29:26