2 Chronicles 17:9 kjv
And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
2 Chronicles 17:9 nkjv
So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
2 Chronicles 17:9 niv
They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.
2 Chronicles 17:9 esv
And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the LORD with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
2 Chronicles 17:9 nlt
They took copies of the Book of the Law of the LORD and traveled around through all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.
2 Chronicles 17 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 6:7 | "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them..." | Command to teach God's words to future generations. |
| Deut 31:10-13 | "...read this law before all Israel in their hearing..." | Command to read the Law publicly at Sukkot. |
| Neh 8:8 | "They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly..." | Post-exilic public reading and explanation of Law. |
| Mal 2:7 | "For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek..." | Role of priests in preserving and teaching the Law. |
| Josh 1:8 | "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall..." | Joshua instructed to meditate and obey the Law. |
| Psa 19:7 | "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony..." | Divine nature and restorative power of God's Law. |
| Psa 119:105 | "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." | God's word as a guide for life. |
| Prov 29:18 | "Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint..." | Lack of divine instruction leads to chaos. |
| Isa 55:10-11 | "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return..." | God's Word achieves its intended purpose. |
| Jer 15:16 | "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me..." | Value and reception of God's word by Jeremiah. |
| Matt 28:19-20 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe..." | The Great Commission: teaching Christ's commands. |
| Luke 8:1 | "He went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing..." | Jesus' itinerant ministry of teaching. |
| Acts 5:42 | "And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease..." | Apostolic widespread teaching of the Gospel. |
| Acts 20:20 | "I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and..." | Paul's comprehensive teaching, public and private. |
| Rom 15:4 | "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction..." | Scripture's purpose: instruction for believers. |
| 1 Cor 4:6 | "...that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written..." | Emphasizes adherence to scriptural bounds. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching..." | Inspiration and utility of Scripture. |
| 2 Tim 4:2 | "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season..." | Command to preach God's Word consistently. |
| Heb 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged..." | The dynamic, penetrating nature of God's Word. |
| Col 1:28 | "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom..." | Proclaiming Christ and teaching wisdom. |
| Titus 2:1 | "But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine." | Call to teach according to true doctrine. |
| Jas 1:22 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." | The necessity of applying what is taught from the Word. |
2 Chronicles 17 verses
2 Chronicles 17 9 Meaning
King Jehoshaphat, early in his reign, initiated a widespread and systematic teaching program throughout the kingdom of Judah. He commissioned a special team of princes, Levites, and priests who traveled to every city, carrying the authoritative "Book of the Law of the Lord." Their mission was to instruct the common people directly in God's divine instruction, thereby restoring the nation's adherence to the covenant. This spiritual education laid the foundation for Judah's stability and God's blessing during his reign.
2 Chronicles 17 9 Context
Chapter 17 opens with Jehoshaphat succeeding his father Asa as king of Judah. While Asa had some reforms, the spiritual state of Judah remained fragile. Jehoshaphat distinguishes himself early by seeking the LORD, strengthening the nation's defenses, and removing pagan altars and Asherim (v. 1-6). The sending of teachers (v. 7-9) is presented as a direct and crucial act stemming from his heart's devotion to the LORD, going "in the ways of his father David" (v. 3). This educational initiative was not merely religious, but foundational to national stability and security, as shown by the fear of the LORD falling upon surrounding nations (v. 10) and tributes from the Philistines and Arabs (v. 11). This widespread instruction in the Law aimed to bring the people back to the covenant principles that ensured divine favor and prosperity for Judah.
2 Chronicles 17 9 Word analysis
- And they taught: The Hebrew word
wayyalmeḏû(וַיְלַמְּדוּ) signifies an active, deliberate, and consistent act of teaching or instructing. This was a direct, hands-on dissemination of knowledge. - in Judah: This specifies the geographical scope of their ministry, encompassing the entire southern kingdom. The teaching was focused internally, aimed at unifying and purifying Judah.
- having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them:
- Book of the Law: Hebrew
sēper tôrat Yahweh(סֵפֶר תּוֹרַת יְהוָה).Sēperrefers to a scroll or written document.Torahmeans "instruction" or "teaching," not merely a legal code but a comprehensive divine revelation of God's will and way for His people. It points to the Pentateuch, especially Deuteronomy, which emphasizes the teaching and covenant stipulations. - of the Lord: Identifies
Yahwehas the divine author, giving the text ultimate authority and sacredness. Their teaching was divinely authorized, not based on human opinion. - with them: Hebrew
ʕimmahäm(עִמָּהֶם). This critical detail emphasizes the physical presence of the authoritative text. They were not teaching from memory or personal interpretation alone, but from the actual, written Word, ensuring accuracy and accountability to God's revelation. This highlights a text-centered approach to spiritual revival.
- Book of the Law: Hebrew
- and they went about: The verb
wayyāšōbû(וַיָּסֹבּוּ) means "they went around" or "they traversed." It implies a methodical and comprehensive movement through the region, ensuring that no city was overlooked. - through all the cities of Judah: Reiterates the widespread and exhaustive nature of the educational initiative. It wasn't localized but intended to reach every household.
- and taught among the people: A repetition emphasizing the core mission: the actual act of instruction. "Among the people" (
baʿām) signifies their target audience—the general populace, making the Law accessible to everyone, not just a select elite. This denotes a desire for widespread spiritual literacy and obedience.
2 Chronicles 17 9 Bonus section
The deliberate combination of "princes, Levites, and priests" for this teaching mission is highly significant. The princes brought royal authority and ensured the widespread nature of the project. The Levites, known as guardians and interpreters of the Law (as seen in Neh 8), provided the theological depth and training. The priests, with their sacred office, ensured the spiritual sanctity and legitimacy of the instruction. This multidisciplinary approach underscored the holistic nature of the reform, integrating civic leadership with spiritual guidance. This initiative served as a powerful model of systematic discipleship and biblical literacy, highlighting that true national revival is impossible without a return to the direct teachings of God's authoritative Word, faithfully delivered and embraced by all strata of society.
2 Chronicles 17 9 Commentary
2 Chronicles 17:9 describes a foundational moment in King Jehoshaphat's reign, where he strategically initiated a kingdom-wide spiritual education program. Unlike his predecessors who might have focused solely on military or political strength, Jehoshaphat understood that Judah's true stability depended on its covenant relationship with the LORD. By dispatching a unique and comprehensive team of princes, Levites, and priests, he ensured both royal authority and religious expertise were applied to this crucial task. The explicit mention of carrying "the Book of the Law of the Lord" underscores the initiative's divine authority and truthfulness; their instruction was rooted in the unchangeable Word of God, not human innovation. This pervasive teaching, reaching "all the cities of Judah" and "among the people," was an investment in the spiritual formation of every citizen, ensuring knowledge of and adherence to God's ways. This diligent and widespread instruction in God's Law was instrumental in Jehoshaphat’s later successes and peace, illustrating that a nation's true strength and enduring blessing flow from its commitment to God's Word and its spiritual vitality. It demonstrates that effective leadership includes intentionally discipling the people in divine truth for lasting righteousness.