2 Chronicles 23:7

Verse

The Levites must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who enters the temple must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever cometh into the house, let him be slain: and be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

Bible in Basic English

And the Levites are to make a circle round the king, every man being armed; and any man who comes into the house is to be put to death; you are to keep with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And let the Levites be round about the king, every man with his arms; (and if any other come into the temple, let him be slain;) and let them be with the king, both coming in, and going out.

Free Bible Version

The Levites shall surround the king, weapons in hand. Kill anyone who enters the Temple. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

Geneva Bible 1599

And the Leuites shall compasse the King rounde about, and euery man with his weapon in his hand, and he that entreth into the house, shall be slaine, and be you with the King, when he commeth in, and when he goeth out.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

Translation for Translators

You descendants of Levi must stand around the young king, each of you with your weapon in your hand. Anyone else who tries to enter the temple you must kill. And stay close to the young king, wherever he goes.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

The Levites must surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be killed. Stay with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.”

Noah Webster Bible

And the Levites shall encompass the king, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.

World English Bible

The Levites shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be slain. Be with the king when he comes in and when he goes out.”

Young's Literal Translation

and the Levites have compassed the king round about, each with his weapon in his hand, and he who hath gone in unto the house is put to death; and be ye with the king in his coming in and in his going out.'

Context

Joash Anointed King of Judah

⁶No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD.⁷The Levites must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who enters the temple must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

Sermons

The Lord Stirred Up the Spirit of Cyrus.

F.B. Meyer

Summary

In 2 Chronicles 23:7, the high priest Jehoiada instructs the Levites and the people of Judah to surround King Joash with weapons drawn, ensuring his protection and security. This action was a strategic move to safeguard the young king from any potential threats to his life. It demonstrates the commitment of Jehoiada and the Levites to uphold God's covenant and protect the rightful king, thereby preserving the lineage of David. This verse showcases the importance of loyalty, obedience, and vigilance in fulfilling God's purposes and maintaining the integrity of leadership within the nation of Judah.

Commentary

Keil-Delitzsch

Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary

"And the Levites shall compass the king round about, each with his weapons in his hand." The Levites are the bodies of guards mentioned in Ch2 23:4, Ch2 23:5. If we keep that in view, then the following words, "every one who cometh into the house shall be put to death," say the same as the words, "every one who cometh within the ranks" (Kg2 11:8). A contradiction arises only if we misinterpret הקּיפוּ, and understand it of the forming of a circle around the king; whereas הקּיפוּ, like הקּפתּם (Kings), is to be understood, according to the context, of the setting of the guards both at the temple gate and in the courts, so that whoever entered the court of the temple came within the ranks of the guards thus placed.