Definition: And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give [it] unto Pharaohnechoh.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 23:35. It’s a really important part of understanding what happened after the death of King Jehoiakim and the downfall of the wicked king Pharaoh. Here's a simple explanation: Basically, Pharaoh was demanding a huge amount of money from the people of Israel. He wasn’t just asking for a little bit; he was demanding all their possessions – silver and gold – to pay him. Here's a breakdown of what happened: Jehoiakim gives them the money: Jehoiakim, who was the king at this point, decided to give the silver and gold to Pharaoh. Pharaoh taxes the land: Pharaoh then started collecting taxes from everyone in Israel. He didn't just ask for a small amount; he demanded everyone’s possessions – even their livestock, crops, and belongings - to pay him. Exacting the silver and gold: Pharaoh took all of that money and used it to build temples and monuments for himself . He was essentially using the people's wealth as a way to lavishly decorate his own palace. The whole thing is a really harsh example of Pharaoh’s greed and oppression. It highlights how he was exploiting the Israelites for his own benefit, taking everything and leaving them with nothing. It’s a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of resisting unjust demands. In short, this verse describes a period of extreme exploitation and wealth accumulation by Pharaoh, demonstrating the consequences of injustice and corruption. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the historical context of this event? Talk about what this verse says about God’s judgment?