What does 2 Kings 22:6 mean?
"Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house." - 2 Kings 22:6
2 Kings 22:6 - "Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house."
The verse 2 Kings 22:6 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house." This verse is part of the narrative of King Josiah's reign and the restoration of the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
To fully understand the significance of this verse, it is important to examine the context in which it appears. In the previous chapters of 2 Kings, the kingdom of Judah had fallen into a state of moral and spiritual decay. The people had turned away from God, and idolatry and unrighteousness were rampant. In this atmosphere, Josiah becomes king at a young age and embarks on a campaign to bring about religious and social reforms in the kingdom.
As part of his efforts, Josiah orders the repair and restoration of the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. The temple had fallen into disrepair due to neglect and the influence of false gods and their worship. Josiah's commitment to restoring the temple reflects his desire to bring the people back to the true worship of God and to reinstate the centrality of the temple in the religious life of the nation.
The specific instructions given in 2 Kings 22:6 to the carpenters, builders, and masons demonstrate the practical measures taken to carry out the renovation of the temple. This verse emphasizes the importance of material resources and skilled labor in the service of God. It also highlights the commitment and diligence required to carry out the restoration work effectively.
Symbolically, the renovation of the temple can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual renewal that Josiah sought to bring about in the hearts and lives of the people. The physical restoration of the temple mirrors the need for a spiritual revival – a turning back to the worship of the true God and a rejection of idolatry. The repairs to the house of the Lord represent a commitment to returning to the foundational truths of the faith and a rejection of the false gods and practices that had crept in.
Furthermore, the mention of "timber and hewn stone" in the verse carries symbolic significance. The use of these materials conveys the idea of solid and enduring construction. In the same way, the restoration of the temple is not just a superficial refurbishment but a deep and lasting renewal of the institution of worship and the spiritual life of the people.
The themes of repentance, restoration, and renewal are central to the message of this verse. Josiah's efforts to repair the temple embody the biblical principle of repentance – turning away from sin and returning to God. The restoration of the temple also reflects the theme of God's faithfulness to His people. Despite their waywardness, God's covenant with His chosen nation was not forgotten, and He continued to call them back to Himself.
In a broader sense, the verse can also be seen as a call to all believers to engage in the ongoing work of spiritual renewal and restoration. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and nurturing the institutions of worship and the significance of physical spaces dedicated to the worship of God.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 22:6 in the King James Version of the Bible holds deep significance within the context of King Josiah's reign and the restoration of the temple of the Lord. It emphasizes the practical measures taken to repair the house of God and carries symbolic meanings related to repentance, renewal, and the enduring nature of true worship. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual and material diligence in the service of God and the ongoing work of renewal in the lives of believers.
2 Kings 22:6 Artwork
2 Kings 22:6 - "Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house."
2 Kings 23:22 - "Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;"
2 Chronicles 9:22 - "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom."
2 Kings 13:22 - "¶ But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz."
2 Kings 14:22 - "He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers."
2 Kings 2:22 - "So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake."
2 Kings 15:6 - "And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 21:22 - "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."
1 Kings 22:2 - "And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel."
2 Kings 15:22 - "And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 6:16 - "And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
2 Kings 22:7 - "Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully."
2 Samuel 22:6 - "The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;"
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Kings 22:11 - "And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes."
2 Kings 6:22 - "And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master."
2 Kings 3:6 - "¶ And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel."
Jeremiah 25:22 - "And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,"
2 Kings 22:2 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left."
1 Kings 6:22 - "And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold."
2 Kings 8:22 - "Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time."
2 Kings 12:6 - "But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house."
2 Kings 22:10 - "And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king."
2 Kings 22:12 - "And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,"
2 Kings 6:4 - "So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood."
1 Kings 22:47 - "There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king."
2 Kings 22:15 - "¶ And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,"
2 Kings 24:6 - "So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 25:6 - "So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him."
2 Kings 6:6 - "And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim."