2 Chronicles 24:7 Meaning and Explanation
“For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Athaliah's family had plundered the temple and desecrated it with idolatry.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 24:7
Context for why the temple needed urgent repair and purification.
What Does 2 Chronicles 24:7 Mean?
Athaliah's reign (not described fully here but mentioned in 2 Chronicles 22-23) represented a spiritual crisis. Her sons actively destroyed the temple's structure and ransacked its treasures, redirecting sacred vessels to Baal altars. This violation defined the spiritual malaise that Joash's repair project would address—restoring not just buildings but the nation's relationship with God.
The description of Athaliah as 'that wicked woman' reflects the biblical narrator's moral judgment. Her attack on the temple was an attack on Israel's covenant identity. Joash's restoration work carried symbolic weight: rebuilding what the wicked had destroyed was an act of covenant renewal.
2 Chronicles 24:7 in the Original Language
Baalim (בַּעֲלִים) plural of Baal, the Canaanite fertility deity—emphasizing the extent of the idolatrous contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 24:7
What does 2 Chronicles 24:7 mean?
Athaliah's family had plundered the temple and desecrated it with idolatry.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 24:7?
Context for why the temple needed urgent repair and purification.