Definition: Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the [other] priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no [more] money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important piece of history and has some serious implications! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Story: This verse comes from a time when King Jehoash of Judah was facing a major problem with his priests. The priests were being greedy and spending too much money – they were essentially hoarding wealth while the people suffered. What’s Happening in the Verse: “Then king Jehoash called for Jehoiada the priest, and the [other] priests…” This tells us that King Jehoash was directly addressing the priests who were responsible for this excessive spending. “…and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house?” "Breaches of the house" refers to a badly damaged or crumbling temple – it was a symbol of the king’s power and his people's faith. “now therefore receive no [more] money of your acquaintance…” This is the core of the message. The priests were being given too much money. “…but deliver it for the breaches of the house.” The priests were told to stop giving more money to fix the temple. Instead, they should use that money to repair or rebuild the damaged parts – essentially, to help restore the temple's structure and show their repentance. What’s the Big Picture? This verse is a powerful example of: Accountability: The king was holding his priests accountable for their actions. Restoration: It highlights the importance of rebuilding and repairing – it wasn’t enough to just be wealthy; you needed to actively work to improve things. Repentance: The priests' refusal to help with the temple’s repairs shows they were admitting a problem and needing to change their behavior. In short, this verse is a reminder that greed and excessive wealth can have negative consequences for a community – it needs to be addressed and corrected. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible passage? Discuss the context of this verse in more detail (like when it happened)? Answer any specific questions you might have about it?