The Rescue of Joash
2 Kings 11
Athaliah, seeing her son Ahaziah dead, destroys the royal line of Judah, but the infant Joash is hidden in the temple by his aunt Josabee and survives. In the seventh year the priest Jehoiada brings Joash out, crowns and anoints him king, and has Athaliah put to death, after which the people tear down the house of Baal.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonNOW when Gotholia the mother of Ochozias saw that her son was dead, she destroyed all the royal seed.
BrentonAnd Gotholia the mother of Ochozias saw that her son was dead, and she destroyed all the seed royal.
GreekΚαὶ Γοθολία ἡ μήτηρ Ὀχοζίου εἶδεν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν ὁ υἱὸς αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀπώλεσε πᾶν τὸ σπέρμα τῆς βασιλείας.
KJVAnd when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
JPSNow when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.
2
ThomsonBut Josabee king Joram’s daughter, the sister of Ochozias, took Joas her brother’s son—having stolen him from among the king’s sons who were slain, both him and his nurse, she hid him in the chamber of beds from Gotholia, so that he was not put to death.
BrentonAnd Josabee daughter of king Joram, sister of Ochozias, took Joas the son of her brother, and stole him from among the king's sons that were put to death, secreting him and his nurse in the bedchamber, and hid him from the face of Gotholia, and he was not slain.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰωσαβεὲ θυγάτηρ τοῦ βασιλέως Ἰωρὰμ ἀδελφὴ Ὀχοζίου τὸν Ἰωὰς υἱὸν ἀδελφοῦ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἔκλεψεν αὐτὸν ἐκ μέσου τῶν υἱῶν τοῦ βασιλέως τῶν θανατουμένων, αὐτὸν καὶ τὴν τροφὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ ταμείῳ τῶν κλινῶν, καὶ ἔκρυψεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ προσώπου Γοθολίας, καὶ οὐκ ἐθανατώθη.
KJVBut Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
JPSBut Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons that were slain, even him and his nurse, and put them in the bed-chamber; and they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not slain.
3
ThomsonAnd he was with her hidden in the house of the Lord six years, while Gotholia reigned over the land.
BrentonAnd he remained with her hid in the house of the Lord six years: and Gotholia reigned over the land.
GreekΚαὶ ἦν μετʼ αὐτῆς κρυβόμενος ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου ἓξ ἔτη· καὶ Γοθολία βασιλεύουσα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
KJVAnd he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
JPSAnd he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years; and Athaliah reigned over the land.
4
ThomsonBut in the seventh year Jodae sent for the centurions of the Chorrites and the Rasimites, and had them brought to him into the house of the Lord, and made a covenant of the Lord with them; and having exacted an oath of them he shewed them the king’s son.
BrentonAnd in the seventh year Jodae sent and took the captains of hundreds of the Chorri and of the Rhasim, and brought them to him into the house of the Lord, and made a covenant of the Lord with them, and adjured them, and Jodae shewed them the king's son.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν τῷ ἔτει τῷ ἑβδόμῳ ἀπέστειλεν Ἰωδαὲ, καὶ ἔλαβε τοὺς ἑκατοντάρχους τῶν Χοῤῥὶ καὶ τῶν Ῥασίμ, καὶ ἀπήγαγεν αὐτοὺς πρὸς αὐτὸν εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου, καὶ διέθετο αὐτοῖς διαθήκην Κυρίου, καὶ ὥρκωσε· καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτοῖς Ἰωδαὲ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως,
KJVAnd the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king’s son.
JPSAnd in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the captains over hundreds, of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD; and he made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and showed them the king’s son.
5
ThomsonThen he gave them a charge saying, This is the thing which you shall do.
BrentonAnd charged them, saying, This is the thing which ye shall do.
Greekκαὶ ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς, λέγων, οὗτος ὁ λόγος ὃν ποιήσετε· Τὸ τρίτον ἐξ ὑμῶν εἰσελθέτω τὸ σάββατον,
KJVAnd he commanded them, saying, This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king’s house;
JPSAnd he commanded them, saying: ‘This is the thing that ye shall do: a third part of you, that come in on the sabbath, and that keep the watch of the king’s house—
6
ThomsonLet one third of you come in on the sabbath and keep guard, over the king’s house at the gate; another third at the gate of the highway, and the other third at the gate behind the guards. So you will guard the house.
BrentonLet a third part of you go in on the sabbath-day, and keep ye the watch of the king's house in the porch; and another third in the gate of the high way, and a third at the gate behind the footmen; and keep ye the guard of the house.
Greekκαὶ φυλάξατε φυλακὴν οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν τῷ πυλῶνι, καὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν τῇ πύλῃ τῶν ὁδῶν, καὶ τὸ τρίτον τῆς πύλης ὀπίσω τῶν παρατρεχόντων, καὶ φυλάξτε τὴν φυλακὴν τοῦ οἴκου.
KJVAnd a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.
JPSnow another third part was at the gate Sur, and another third part at the gate behind the guard—shall keep the watch of the house, and be a barrier.
7
ThomsonAnd two companies among you even all who go out on the sabbath shall keep guard in the house of the Lord before the king.
BrentonAnd there shall be two parties among you, even every one that goes out on the sabbath, and they shall keep the guard of the Lord's house before the king.
GreekΚαὶ δύο χεῖρες ἐν ὑμῖν, πᾶς ὁ ἐκπορευόμενος τὸ σάββατον, καὶ φυλάξουσι τὴν φυλακὴν οἴκου Κυρίου πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα.
KJVAnd two parts of all you that go forth on the sabbath, even they shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
JPSAnd the other two parts of you, even all that go forth on the sabbath, shall keep the watch of the house of the LORD about the king.
8
ThomsonAnd you shall encompass the king round about, every man with his weapon in his hand. And whoever cometh within their ranks, let him be put to death. And they shall be with the king when he goeth out and when he cometh in.
BrentonAnd do ye compass the king about every man with his weapon in his hand, and he that goes into the ranges shall die: and they shall be with the king in his going out and in his coming in.
GreekΚαὶ κυκλώσατε ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα κύκλῳ, ἀνὴρ καὶ τὸ σκεῦος αὐτοῦ ἐν χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ εἰσπορευόμενος εἰς τὰς σαδηρὼθ, ἀποθανεῖται· καὶ ἔσονται μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν τῷ ἐκπορεύεσθαι αὐτὸν καὶ ἐν τῷ εἰσπορεύεσθαι αὐτόν.
KJVAnd ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
JPSAnd ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and he that cometh within the ranks, let him be slain; and be ye with the king when he goeth out, and when he cometh in.’
9
ThomsonAccordingly the centurions did all that the prudent Jodae commanded them. And they took every man his men, both those who came in on duty on the sabbath and those who were to go off on that day, and went to Jodae the priest.
BrentonAnd the captains of hundreds did all things that the wise Jodae commanded; and they took each his men, both those that went in on the sabbath-day, and those that went out on the sabbath-day, and went in to Jodae the priest.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ ἑκατόνταρχοι πάντα ὅσα ἐνετείλατο Ἰωδαὲ ὁ συνετός· καὶ ἔλαβεν ἀνὴρ τοὺς ἄνδρας αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς εἰσπορευομένους τὸ σάββατον μετὰ τῶν ἐκπορευομένων τὸ σάββατον, καὶ εἰσῆλθον πρὸς Ἰωδαὲ τὸν ἱερέα.
KJVAnd the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that should go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
JPSAnd the captains over hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded; and they took every man his men, those that were to come in on the sabbath, with those that were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest.
10
ThomsonAnd the priest gave the centurions the spears and the shields of king David, which were in the house of the Lord.
BrentonAnd the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the swords and spears of king David that were in the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκεν ὁ ἱερεὺς τοῖς ἑκατοντάρχοις τοὺς σειρομάστας καὶ τοὺς τρισσοὺς τοῦ βασιλέως Δαυὶδ τοὺς ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου.
KJVAnd to the captains over hundreds did the priest give king David’s spears and shields, that were in the temple of the LORD.
JPSAnd the priest delivered to the captains over hundreds the spear and shields that had been king David’s, which were in the house of the LORD.
11
ThomsonAnd the guards stood every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right corner of the house to the corner of the house which is on the left of the altar, and of the house near the king round about.
BrentonAnd the footmen stood each with his weapon in his hand from the right corner of the house to the left corner of the house, by the altar and the house round about the king.
GreekΚαὶ ἔστησαν οἱ παρατρέχοντες ἀνὴρ καὶ τὸ σκεῦος αὐτοῦ, ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῆς ὠμίας τοῦ οἴκου τῆς δεξιᾶς ἕως τῆς ὠμίας τοῦ οἴκου τῆς εὐωνύμου τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ τοῦ οἴκου, ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα κύκλῳ.
KJVAnd the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.
JPSAnd the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, along by the altar and the house, by the king round about.
12
ThomsonThen he sent for the king’s son and put upon him the crown and the testimony, and announcing him king, anointed him. Upon which they clapped with the hand, and said, Long live the king.
BrentonAnd he brought forth the king's son, and put upon him the crown and gave him the testimony; and he made him king, and anointed him: and they clapped their hands, and said, Long live the king.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξαπέστειλε τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἔδωκεν ἐπʼ αὐτὸν νεζὲρ καὶ τὸ μαρτύριον, καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἔχρισεν αὐτόν· καὶ ἐκρότησαν τῇ χειρὶ, καὶ εἶπαν, ζήτω ὁ βασιλεύς.
KJVAnd he brought forth the king’s son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.
JPSThen he brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown and the insignia; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said: ‘Long live the king.’
13
ThomsonWhen Gotholia heard the noise of the people’s guards, she came to the people into the house of the Lord and looked.
BrentonAnd Gotholia heard the sound of the people running, and she went in to the people to the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἤκουσε Γοθολία τὴν φωνὴν τῶν τρεχόντων τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ εἰσῆλθε πρὸς τὸν λαὸν εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου,
KJVAnd when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the temple of the LORD.
JPSAnd when Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people into the house of the LORD.
14
ThomsonAnd behold the king was standing on the pillar as the manner was, and the musicians and the trumpeters were before the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and the trumpets sounding. Whereupon Gotholia rent her clothes and cried with a loud voice, Treason! Treason!
BrentonAnd she looked, and, behold, the king stood near a pillar according to the manner; and the singers and the trumpeters were before the king and all the people of the land even rejoicing and sounding with trumpets: and Gotholia rent her garments, and cried, A conspiracy, a conspiracy.
Greekκαὶ εἶδε, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεὺς εἱστήκει ἐπὶ τοῦ στύλου κατὰ τὸ κρίμα· καὶ οἱ ᾠδοὶ καὶ αἱ σάλπιγγες πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα, καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς χαίρων καὶ σαλπίζων ἐν σάλπιγξι· καὶ διέῤῥηξε Γοθολία τὰ ἱμάτια ἑαυτῆς, καὶ ἐβόησε σύνδεσμος, σύνδεσμος.
KJVAnd when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.
JPSAnd she looked, and, behold, the king stood on the platform, as the manner was, and the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried: ‘Treason, treason.’
15
ThomsonThen Jodae the priest gave orders to the centurions the officers of the army, and said to them, Lead her out from within the ranks and let one go after her and put her to death with the sword. Because the priest said, Let her not be killed in the house of the Lord,
BrentonAnd Jodae the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were over the host, and said to them, Bring her forth without the ranges, and he that goes in after her shall certainly die by the sword. For the priest said, Let her not however be slain in the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἐνετείλατο Ἰωδαὲ ὁ ἱερεὺς τοῖς ἑκατοντάρχοις τοῖς ἐπισκόποις τῆς δυνάμεως, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτούς, ἐξαγάγετε αὐτὴν ἔσωθεν τῶν σαδηρὼθ, ὁ εἰσπορευόμενος ὀπίσω αὐτῆς θανάτῳ θανατωθήσεται ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ· ὅτι εἶπεν ὁ ἱερεύς, καὶ μὴ ἀποθάνῃ ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου.
KJVBut Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them, Have her forth without the ranges: and him that followeth her kill with the sword. For the priest had said, Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.
JPSAnd Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds, the officers of the host, and said unto them: ‘Have her forth between the ranks; and him that followeth her slay with the sword’; for the priest said: ‘Let her not be slain in the house of the LORD.’
16
Thomsontherefore they laid hands on her and went out into the street leading from the king’s house to the horse gate, and she was slain there.
BrentonAnd they laid hands upon her, and went in by the way of the horses' entrance into the house of the Lord, and she was slain there.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέθηκαν αὑτῇ χεῖρας, καὶ εἰσῆλθον ὁδὸν εἰσόδου τῶν ἵππων οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἀπέθανεν ἐκεῖ.
KJVAnd they laid hands on her; and she went by the way by the which the horses came into the king’s house: and there was she slain.
JPSSo they made way for her; and she went by the way of the horses’entry to the king’s house; and there was she slain.
17
ThomsonThen Jodae made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they would be the Lord’s people. And he made a covenant also between the king and the people.
BrentonAnd Jodae made a covenant between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the Lord's people; also between the king and the people.
GreekΚαὶ διέθετο Ἰωδαὲ διαθήκην ἀναμέσον Κυρίου καὶ ἀναμέσον τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἀναμέσον τοῦ λαοῦ, τοῦ εἶναι εἰς λαὸν τῷ Κυρίῳ· καὶ ἀναμέσον τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἀναμέσον τοῦ λαοῦ.
KJVAnd Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’s people; between the king also and the people.
JPSAnd Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD’S people; between the king also and the people.
18
ThomsonThen all the people of the land went into the house of Baal and tore him down and broke all to pieces, his altars and his images, and slew Mathan the priest of Baal before the altar. And when the priest had appointed overseers over the house of the Lord,
BrentonAnd all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and tore it down, and completely broke in pieces his altars and his images, and they slew Mathan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed overseers over the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθε πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς εἰς οἶκον τοῦ Βάαλ, καὶ κατέσπασαν αὐτὸν, καὶ τὰ θυσιαστήρια αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς εἰκόνας αὐτοῦ συνέτριψαν ἀγαθῶς· καὶ τὸν Μαθὰν τὸν ἱερέα τοῦ Βάαλ ἀπέκτειναν κατὰ πρόσωπον τῶν θυσιαστηρίων· καὶ ἔθηκεν ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐπισκόπους εἰς τὸν οἶκον Κυρίου.
KJVAnd all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
JPSAnd all the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down; his altars and his images broke they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
19
Thomsonhe took the centurions with the Chorrites and the Rasimites and all the people of the land and they conducted the king out of the house of the Lord into the street leading from the king’s house to the gate of the guardhouse, and set him on the throne of the kings.
BrentonAnd he took the captains of the hundreds, and the Chorri, and the Rhasim, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king out of the house of the Lord; and they went in by the way of the gate of the footmen of the king's house, and seated him there on the throne of the kings.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβε τοὺς ἑκατοντάρχους, καὶ τὸν Χοῤῥεὶ, καὶ τὸν Ῥασὶμ, καὶ πάντα τὸν λαὸν τῆς γῆς, καὶ κατήγαγον τὸν βασιλέα ἐξ οἴκου Κυρίου· καὶ εἰσῆλθον ὁδὸν πύλης τῶν παρατρεχόντων οἴκου τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἐκάθισαν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ θρόνου τῶν βασιλέων.
KJVAnd he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
JPSAnd he took the captains over hundreds, and the Carites, and the guard, and all the people of the land; and they brought down the king from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard unto the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings.
20
ThomsonAnd all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was at peace after they had slain Gotholia at the king’s house.
BrentonAnd all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was at rest: and they slew Gotholia with the sword in the house of the king.
GreekΚαὶ ἐχάρη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἡ πόλις ἡσύχασε· καὶ τὴν Γοθολίαν ἐθανάτωσαν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ ἐν οἴκῳ τοῦ βασιλέως.
KJVAnd all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king’s house.
JPSSo all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet; and they slew Athaliah with the sword at the king’s house.