The explanation — Athaliah's ravaging — 'For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of God; and had also used for the baals all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD' (כי בני עתליהו אשׁת הרשׁעה בקעו את בית האלהים וגם את כל קדשׁי בית יהוה העלו לבעליםפים). Jehoiada explains that Athaliah's sons had ransacked (בקע, broke into) the temple and plundered its sacred objects for Baal worship. The designation 'Athaliah, that wicked woman' (עתליהו אשׁת הרשׁעה, literally 'the evil woman') reflects the priest's moral judgment. The verb העלה (brought up/used) the dedicated objects for the Baals (לבעליםפים) indicates deliberate desecration. The damage to the temple during the usurpation period exceeded what was previously recognized; restoration requires both repair and recommissioning.

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