2 Chronicles 23:16 Meaning: Jehoiada's Covenant as God's Representative
Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh’s people.
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the Lord’s people.
And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, and all the people, and the king, that they should be Jehovah’s people.
And Jehoiada maketh a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, to be for a people to Jehovah;
And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they should be the people of Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does the Chronicler say Jehoiada made the covenant? Learn how the high priest acted as God's representative to renew the people's pledge.
Context
The story had been dark for six years. Athaliah, the queen mother, had seized the throne and murdered the royal heirs, but one baby, Joash, was hidden in the temple by Jehoiada the priest. Now the boy is seven, and Jehoiada has orchestrated a quiet coup. The people crown Joash, and Athaliah is executed. Immediately after, Jehoiada leads a covenant renewal. In the parallel account in 2 Kings, the covenant is made directly between the Lord, the king, and the people. But the Chronicler places Jehoiada himself as a party to the covenant. This is not a contradiction; it is a deliberate emphasis on the priest's role as God's visible representative on earth.
Key Words
Three words anchor this verse. Covenant in Hebrew is berit, from a verb meaning "to cut." In the ancient world, a covenant was a life-and-death bond, often sealed by cutting an animal in two. This was no casual agreement. Jehoiada means "Yahweh knows." The name itself points to what he is doing: acting as the one who knows God's will and represents it. And the phrase "to become" (lihyot) carries the idea of entering a new state of being. The people are not just promising to follow God; they are choosing to become His people again. The preposition "between" (bein) is used three times, showing that the covenant creates connections: between the priest, the king, the people, and ultimately Yahweh.
How Christians Read This Verse
The parallel in 2 Kings 11:17 states that Jehoiada made a covenant "between the Lord and the king and the people." The Chronicler's version places Jehoiada as a direct party. Christian readers have understood this difference in light of the priestly role. Catholic and Orthodox traditions see here a pattern of mediation: the high priest stands in the place of God before the people. Protestant commentators like Adam Clarke and Barnes note that Jehoiada was God's representative, receiving the pledges on God's behalf. All traditions agree that the essence of the covenant is unchanged: the people commit themselves to be the Lord's. The Chronicler simply makes the human mediator explicit, reminding us that God often works through chosen servants.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that Jehoiada set himself up as a dictator, making a covenant between himself and the people, cutting God out. In fact, the entire context shows the opposite. Jehoiada's covenant was the means of restoring the people to loyalty to Yahweh. The parallel passages (2 Kings 11:17) clarify that the covenant was ultimately with God. Jehoiada acted as God's representative, not as a substitute for God. The verse immediately following describes the people tearing down the temple of Baal, evidence that their renewed covenant led them to true worship.
Living This Out
This verse asks a simple but searching question: Who or what do you belong to? The people had drifted into idolatry under Athaliah's rule. Jehoiada's covenant called them back to their true identity. This week, consider one area where your loyalty has shifted, a habit, a relationship, a worry that has taken first place. That shift can be reversed. You don't need to wait for a crisis. A quiet renewal of your commitment to God can happen today, perhaps with a trusted friend or a leader who can represent His love to you.
Main takeaway: The covenant that binds us to God is renewed through His chosen representatives, calling us to be His people alone.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jehoiada was a priest who helped the people make a big promise to follow God. They tore down the bad temple and promised to be God's special people. You can promise to follow God too!
For ages 9, 12
This covenant was like a contract between God and His people. Jehoiada represented God because he was the high priest. The people had been worshiping false gods, but now they promised to be loyal only to Yahweh. When you follow Jesus, you are part of a new covenant. You are God's people, and He is your God.
Questions People Ask
Why does the Chronicler say Jehoiada made the covenant instead of God?
The parallel in 2 Kings says the covenant was between the Lord, the king, and the people. The Chronicler emphasizes Jehoiada's role as God's representative. He acted in God's place, receiving the pledges, but the covenant was ultimately with Yahweh. This highlights the priestly mediation in renewing the relationship.
How is this covenant different from the covenant at Mount Sinai?
This was a renewal of the same covenant, not a new one. The people were recommitting to be God's people after a period of idolatry under Athaliah. It wasn't a new set of laws but a reaffirmation of their identity and exclusive loyalty to Yahweh, similar to renewals under Joshua or Hezekiah.
What does it mean to be 'the Lord's people'?
It means belonging to Yahweh in a covenant relationship. It involves exclusive loyalty, obedience to His commands, and worship of Him alone. In the Old Testament, this was the identity of Israel. For Christians, it applies to the Church, the people of God through Christ, who are called to be holy and set apart.
Why did the people tear down the temple of Baal right after this covenant?
The covenant called them to be Yahweh's people exclusively. Tearing down the Baal temple and killing the priest was the concrete expression of their repentance. It showed they were serious about no longer serving other gods. This is narrated in verse 17 as the immediate outcome of the covenant.
Can we make a covenant like this today?
In a sense, yes. The new covenant in Christ is sealed by His blood. When we confess faith, we enter that covenant. Sometimes God's people still need renewal, through repentance, baptism, or reaffirmation of faith. The key is that we consciously recommit to being His people, often with the help of spiritual leaders who guide us.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study