Keraia
2 Kings 12

2 Kings 12:3

Joash Repairs the Temple · 2 Kings 12:1–16
Read 2 Kings 12

Translations

Modern
Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.
Traditional
But the high places were not taken away: the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places.
Literal
But the high places were not taken away; still the people sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
Latin
Verumtamen excelsa non abstulit: adhuc enim populus immolabat, et adolebat in excelsis incensum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Nevertheless, the high places were not removed; the people continued sacrificing and burning incense there.

Notes

2 Kings 12:2–3

  • Joash was grateful to Jehoiada, the priest who guided him. Joash stayed loyal to the Lord while Jehoiada lived. However, after Jehoiada died, ungodly leaders persuaded Joash to abandon the Lord and adopt Canaanite customs (see 2 Chronicles 24:17–22).

  • Joash's failure to destroy the pagan shrines led to spiritual compromise. Allowing these shrines in Judah had previously angered God (1 Kings 14:23–26) and would do so again during Joash's time (2 Chronicles 24:23–24).

2 Kings 11:21–12:21

The record of Joash's reign follows a typical format:

  1. It describes when he became king (2 Kings 11:21–12:3)

  2. It tells about his royal activities (2 Kings 12:4–18)

  3. It gives the closing notice of his reign (2 Kings 12:19–21).

The main focus is Joash’s efforts to repair the temple of the Lord (2 Kings 12:4–16). Later, when the army of Aram [the Arameans] invaded, Joash took treasures from the temple and gave them away to protect his city (2 Kings 12:17–18).

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Judgment of His People

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 24:1–14

Glossary

High Place Jehoiada Kings, Books of First and Second

Topics

High Places: Not Removed: Jehoash High Places: Sacrifices and Incense offered to Idols Upon Prophecies Concerning Israel: Jehoash Succeeds Athaliah Religious Zeal: Jehoash