And Joash remained hidden with them in the house of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.
Parallel translations
- WEB He was with them hidden in God’s house six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
- KJV And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
- NKJV And he was hidden with them in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land.
- NASB He kept himself hidden with them in the house of God for six years while Athaliah reigned over the land.
- NLT Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joash was hidden in the temple for six years while Athaliah reigned. The future king was kept safe in God's house.
Overview
For six years the rightful heir was concealed in the temple as the usurper Athaliah held power. The house of God became a place of refuge and preservation for the Davidic promise. This quiet providence prepares for the dramatic restoration of the throne in the next chapter.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Hab 1:12Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. O LORD, You have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, You have established them for correction.
- Ps 27:5For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will set me high upon a rock.
- Ps 12:8The wicked wander freely, and vileness is exalted among men.
- Ps 73:14For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
- Ps 73:18–19Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.
- Jer 12:1Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 22:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.