2 Chronicles 17 8

2 Chronicles 17:8 kjv

And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

2 Chronicles 17:8 nkjv

And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah?the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

2 Chronicles 17:8 niv

With them were certain Levites?Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-Adonijah?and the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

2 Chronicles 17:8 esv

and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

2 Chronicles 17:8 nlt

He sent Levites along with them, including Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah. He also sent out the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

2 Chronicles 17 verses

2 Chronicles 17 8 Meaning

2 Chronicles 17:8 enumerates the Levites and priests commissioned by King Jehoshaphat. This verse is part of a broader account of Jehoshaphat's early reign, characterized by his devotion to the Lord and a significant national reform. These religious leaders were dispatched alongside secular officials to traverse the cities of Judah, carrying the Book of the Law of the Lord to provide widespread, authoritative instruction to the populace. The verse specifically details the composition of this spiritual teaching team, highlighting the comprehensive nature of Jehoshaphat's initiative to re-establish obedience to God's commandments throughout the kingdom.

2 Chronicles 17 8 Context

Chapter 17 opens with King Jehoshaphat strengthening his kingdom, Judah, against Israel. He wisely walked in the early ways of his father David, not seeking the ways of the Baals. Crucially, his heart was devoted to the Lord, and he sought the Lord's commands. Verses 7-9 detail his unprecedented national reform: he sent a combined delegation of officials, Levites, and priests throughout the land. This verse specifically lists the names of these Levites and priests, highlighting their instrumental role in carrying the "Book of the Law of the Lord" and providing widespread instruction to the people. This reform led to the fear of the Lord falling upon surrounding nations (v. 10), illustrating the divine favor on a nation that seeks to know and obey God's law. Historically, this initiative aimed to prevent the widespread idolatry and moral decay observed in the Northern Kingdom of Israel and consolidate a true worship of Yahweh within Judah.

2 Chronicles 17 8 Word analysis

• and with them: This phrase links the religious teachers with the "officials" (Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, Micaiah) mentioned in the preceding verse (v.7). It emphasizes a unified, multi-faceted approach to national instruction, demonstrating that this was a royal decree with both civil and religious leadership acting in concert.
• Levites: (Hebrew: Lĕwîyîm - לְוִיִּם). Members of the tribe of Levi, specifically those not of the Aaronic priestly lineage. Their divinely appointed role encompassed various services to the Tabernacle and later the Temple, including caring for sacred vessels, assisting the priests, leading in music, and critically, serving as custodians and interpreters of the Law for the people (Deut 33:10). They were often dispersed in "Levitical cities" throughout Israel, making them accessible as local teachers, judges, and scribes. Their presence on this mission underlines their fundamental role in religious education beyond just temple ritual.
• Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah: These are nine specific Levites, indicating the meticulousness and significant scale of Jehoshaphat's outreach. The names themselves are meaningful: "Shemaiah" (YHWH has heard), "Nethaniah" (YHWH has given), "Zebadiah" (YHWH has bestowed), "Jehonathan" (YHWH has given), "Adonijah" (my Lord is YHWH), "Tobijah" (YHWH is my good), "Tob-adonijah" (the goodness of my Lord YHWH). Such names reflect a personal devotion to God, reinforcing their suitability for teaching His word. The exact listing underscores the historical nature of the account and the specific individuals entrusted with this vital mission.
• priests: (Hebrew: kōhănîm - כֹּהֲנִים). Descendants of Aaron, set apart for cultic duties such as offering sacrifices, interceding for the people, and making judgments concerning the Law. Unlike the broader Levites, their role included higher authority in interpreting complex legal matters and pronouncing divine blessings. Their inclusion provided essential authoritative interpretation and legitimacy to the instruction given throughout Judah.
• Elishama and Jehoram: Two specific priests mentioned. Their names "Elishama" (my God has heard) and "Jehoram" (YHWH is exalted) similarly convey theological meaning aligned with their divine calling. The smaller number of priests compared to Levites might suggest that the Levites covered a broader range of introductory teaching and practical application, while the priests provided specialized legal clarification and sacramental authority when needed.

Word-group Analysis:

• "and with them Levites... and with them priests": This grouping clearly distinguishes between two key religious offices – the general Levites and the more specific Aaronic priests – highlighting their combined and complementary roles in the educational initiative. This unified religious leadership, alongside secular officials, suggests a comprehensive strategy to instruct the entire population in God's Law. This joint mission established a precedent for integrated leadership in disseminating God's Word effectively across a kingdom.
• "Shemaiah... Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests": This detailed enumeration of names is more than a mere list. It reflects the structured and purposeful nature of Jehoshaphat's reform. It underscores the personal commitment and identity of these individuals in their service to the Lord. Such specificity gives weight to the historical account, portraying a real, organized effort, not a vague generality.

2 Chronicles 17 8 Bonus section

• The organized dispatching of these spiritual leaders illustrates a practical "missionary" endeavor within the nation, aiming to internalize biblical principles across the population. This foresight of Jehoshaphat secured a foundation of obedience to God, which contributed to his and Judah's subsequent successes against their enemies.
• The emphasis on teaching God's Law contrasts sharply with the syncretistic practices and idolatry common in neighboring nations and even present within segments of Israel/Judah, making this reform an implicit polemic against ungodly worldviews.
• This specific verse and the surrounding passage underscore the vital connection between a nation's spiritual health and its overall stability and well-being. By prioritizing the Law of the Lord, Jehoshaphat ensured God's blessing, manifesting as divine favor and respect from surrounding peoples.
• The fact that Jehoshaphat personally oversaw this process signifies that spiritual education and adherence to God's commandments were not left to chance but were matters of supreme state importance under his reign.

2 Chronicles 17 8 Commentary

This verse, embedded within 2 Chronicles 17, is crucial for understanding the depth and systematic nature of King Jehoshaphat's commitment to spiritual reform in Judah. It reveals that the dissemination of God's Law was not a sporadic act but a strategically organized kingdom-wide undertaking. The delegation consisted not merely of secular authorities, but critically, included designated Levites and priests. This combination indicates a profound understanding of the necessary roles: officials to command and enable the initiative, Levites for broad-based instruction and practical application of the Law across all cities, and priests for authoritative interpretation, especially concerning ritual purity and judgments.

The naming of specific individuals underscores the personal accountability and the significant trust placed in them. Each name potentially carried a message, reinforcing their role as messengers of divine truth. This systematic teaching campaign aimed to saturate the kingdom with God's word, establishing it as the moral and spiritual foundation of the nation. The success of this endeavor (evidenced by the fear of the Lord falling upon surrounding nations in subsequent verses) highlights the power of truth and obedience. It serves as a profound example of godly governance where national prosperity and security are directly linked to the widespread knowledge and application of God's statutes, demonstrating a deep conviction that only God's Law could truly govern and prosper a nation. This was a preemptive measure against apostasy, seeking to embed divine wisdom deep within the fabric of Judahite society.