2 Chronicles 24


2 Chronicles 24 is the twenty-fourth chapter of the Second Book of Chronicles the Old Testament in the Christian Bible or of the second part of the Books of Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible. The book is compiled from older sources by an unknown person or group, designated by modern scholars as "the Chronicler", and had the final shape established in late fifth or fourth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section focusing on the kingdom of Judah until its destruction by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar and the beginning of restoration under Cyrus the Great of Persia . The focus of this chapter is the reign of Joash, king of Judah.

Text

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language and is divided into 27 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Aleppo Codex, and Codex Leningradensis.
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus, and Codex Alexandrinus.

Old Testament references

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    Joash repairs the Temple (24:1–16)

The Chronicles divide the reign of Joash into two periods: before and after the death of Jehoiada. During his good period, Joash displayed strong leadership in rebuilding the neglected Temple in Jerusalem. This efforts occurred as long as Jehoiada is alive, the only priest recorded to live longer than Aaron and to be buried 'among the kings', a clear expression of Jehoiada's status as a "regal priest".

Verse 1

  • Cross references: 2 Kings 11:21; 2 Kings 12:1
  • "Forty years": in Thiele's chronology Joash became king between April and September 835 BCE then died between April and September 796 BCE.

    The wickedness of Joash (24:17–22)

The Chronicles use the phrases 'abandoned the house of the LORD', 'sacred poles', and 'idols'. to describe Joah's wickedness, followed by the important theological statement in the books: 'the Lord gives sinners the opportunity to return to his way by sending prophets to them', punctuated by the word of Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, 'because you have forsaken the LORD, he has also forsaken you'. Joash reacted shockingly by ordering Zechariah to be stoned to death in the forecourt of the temple, showing no gratitude to Jehoiada. Zechariah's dying words resembles the lines of Exodus 5:21.

Death of Joash (24:23–27)

This section parallels to 2 Kings 12:17–18 but with more emphasize to theological aspect: the Arameans were greatly outnumbered by the Judeans, yet they prevailed over Judah, which is in contrast to the theme of a small Judean force defeating powerful armies with the help of God in the past. Joash was buried in the city of David, but not amongst the kings.

Verse 27

  • Cross references: 2 Kings 12:19
  • "Story": translating the term midrash, which appears only in one other passage in the Hebrew Bible.