2 Chronicles 19:8 kjv
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 19:8 nkjv
Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the LORD and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 19:8 niv
In Jerusalem also, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests and heads of Israelite families to administer the law of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 19:8 esv
Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 19:8 nlt
In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges for cases involving the LORD's regulations and for civil disputes.
2 Chronicles 19 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 18:21 | "Moreover you shall select out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth..." | Qualities of judges. |
| Deut 1:16-17 | "And I charged your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your brethren...’" | Impartial justice from leaders. |
| Deut 16:18-20 | "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates... They shall judge the people with righteous judgment." | Mandate for appointing judges in every city. |
| Deut 17:8-12 | "If any matter arises too difficult for you to judge... then you shall come to the Levitical priests..." | Appealing difficult cases to central religious authority. |
| Lev 10:10-11 | "that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, and that you may teach..." | Priests' role in discerning and teaching law. |
| Ezek 44:23-24 | "They shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common... They shall stand as judges..." | Priestly duty to teach and judge. |
| 2 Chron 17:7-9 | "Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, Ben-Hail... to teach in the cities of Judah." | Jehoshaphat's earlier teaching reforms. |
| 2 Chron 19:5-7 | "He also appointed judges in all the fenced cities of Judah..." | Jehoshaphat's decentralized justice system. |
| 2 Chron 20:3-4 | "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord... and Judah gathered together to ask help..." | Jehoshaphat's dependence on God in crisis. |
| Ps 72:1-4 | "Give the king Your judgments, O God... He will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your poor with justice." | Prayer for a king's righteous rule. |
| Prov 29:4 | "The king by justice establishes the land..." | Justice as foundation for national stability. |
| Isa 1:17 | "Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless..." | Call to actively pursue justice. |
| Amos 5:24 | "But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream." | Prophetic call for overwhelming justice. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy..." | Divine requirement for justice and mercy. |
| Jer 22:3 | "Thus says the Lord: Execute judgment and righteousness, deliver the plundered..." | Prophetic demand for royal justice. |
| Ezra 7:25 | "And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which is in your hand, you shall appoint magistrates and judges..." | Post-exilic re-establishment of judges. |
| Zech 8:16 | "These are the things you shall do: Speak each man the truth to his neighbor; Give judgment in your gates for truth..." | Honesty and justice encouraged. |
| Rom 13:3-4 | "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil... he is God’s minister to you for good." | Governing authorities as ministers of God's justice. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors..." | Christian submission to just authorities. |
| Jas 2:13 | "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy..." | God's justice requires mercy. |
| Rev 20:11-13 | "Then I saw a great white throne... and the dead were judged according to their works..." | Ultimate divine judgment. |
2 Chronicles 19 verses
2 Chronicles 19 8 Meaning
King Jehoshaphat established a high court in Jerusalem, comprised of Levites, priests, and the leading heads of Israelite families. This court was specifically designated to handle matters pertaining to the Lord's judgments, meaning adherence to divine law and sacred duties, as well as general civil disputes and legal controversies, to be addressed whenever such cases were brought to the capital city. It represented a crucial step in centralizing and sanctifying justice within Judah, aligning it with God's ordinances.
2 Chronicles 19 8 Context
Chapter 19 follows Jehoshaphat's perilous alliance with wicked King Ahab of Israel against Aram (2 Chron 18). After miraculously surviving the battle, Jehoshaphat returns to Jerusalem and is met by the prophet Jehu, who rebukes him for helping the ungodly (2 Chron 19:1-2). Despite the rebuke, Jehu acknowledges the good found in Jehoshaphat, namely his removal of idolatry and his heart for seeking God (2 Chron 19:3). This divine encounter prompts a deep reform within Jehoshaphat. He rededicates himself to his God-given duty as king. Verses 4-7 describe his re-establishment of justice throughout the kingdom, appointing judges in all fortified cities and instructing them to judge fairly, with the fear of the Lord. Verse 8 then describes the further step of centralizing the highest appeals and most complex cases within Jerusalem, creating a supreme court. This illustrates Jehoshaphat's comprehensive and spiritually motivated approach to governance, stemming from his renewed commitment to God.
2 Chronicles 19 8 Word analysis
- Moreover in Jerusalem: This highlights the centralized aspect of this judicial body, serving as the highest court, likely for appeals or significant cases, complementing the regional courts mentioned in 2 Chron 19:5-7. Jerusalem, as the religious and political capital, was the logical place for such a court.
- did Jehoshaphat set (וַיַּעֲמֵד - wa-ya‘a-mêḏ): From the Hebrew root עָמַד (‘amad), meaning to stand, appoint, establish. This indicates a deliberate act of organization and institutionalization by the king. It implies permanence and authority, not a temporary measure.
- of the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם - hal-wî-yîm): Descendants of Levi, serving in religious functions, often also as scribes, teachers of the law (Torah), and record keepers. Their inclusion brought theological knowledge and understanding of divine law to the judicial process.
- and of the priests (וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֑ים - wə-hak-kō-hă-nîm): Descendants of Aaron, performing ritual duties in the temple, and like Levites, interpreters and teachers of the law. Their presence reinforced the spiritual authority and the sacral nature of justice, aligning judgments with God's will.
- and of the chief of the fathers of Israel (וּמֵרָאשֵׁ֣י הָאָב֔וֹת - ū-mê-rā-šê hā-’ā-ḇōwṯ): "Heads of the fathers' houses" or family heads. These were respected leaders of clans or tribal subdivisions, representing the people and contributing their practical wisdom, community understanding, and civic authority to the court.
- for the judgment of the Lord (לְמִשְׁפַּ֣ט יְהוָ֔ה - lə-miš-paṭ YHWH): Mišpat refers to justice, judgment, or custom, often specifically divine law or ordinance. This phrase means decisions made according to God's revealed law, the Torah, encompassing religious, moral, and often broader legal principles. It underscores that this court’s ultimate authority derived from God Himself.
- and for controversies (וְלָרִ֗יב - wə-lā-rîḇ): From the Hebrew verb רִיב (rîḇ), meaning to contend, dispute, or strive. This refers to civil cases, disputes between individuals or groups, matters of personal wrongdoing, property, or legal grievances that required resolution.
- when they returned to Jerusalem (בְּשֶׁ֣וּב יְרוּשָׁלִַֽם - bə-še-wūḇ Yə-rū-šā-lim): This phrase refers to the bringing of legal cases to Jerusalem for adjudication by the newly appointed central court. It emphasizes the function of this court as a final arbiter or a designated venue for critical judicial proceedings in the capital.
Words-Group analysis:
- Levites, priests, and chief of the fathers of Israel: This composite judiciary reflects a blend of religious authority (priests and Levites) and civil representation/wisdom (chief fathers). This comprehensive inclusion ensures that justice is administered with both divine sanction and communal relevance, integrating the spiritual with the practical governance. It draws upon distinct areas of expertise and responsibility within Israelite society.
- judgment of the Lord and for controversies: This grouping clarifies the dual scope of the court's jurisdiction. "Judgment of the Lord" pertains to adherence to divine law and spiritual matters, ensuring conformity to God's standards for national and individual life. "Controversies" encompasses secular legal disputes among people. By combining both, Jehoshaphat ensured that all aspects of justice, whether sacred or civil, were handled with reference to God's overarching principles, acknowledging that all justice ultimately emanates from Him.
2 Chronicles 19 8 Bonus section
The Chronicler often highlights the role of the Levites and priests in reforms and national life, more so than in other historical books. In this instance, their prominence in the judicial system underscores a key Chronicler theological emphasis: the centrality of the Jerusalem temple, its priesthood, and the divine law in the well-being and governance of Israel. This particular reform by Jehoshaphat appears to be a practical re-implementation of the Mosaic principles outlined in Deut 17:8-12, where difficult cases were to be brought to the priests and judges at the central sanctuary. This structure under Jehoshaphat signifies a revival and systematic application of divine precepts in Judah's administrative affairs, pointing towards a holistic approach to national righteousness guided by God.
2 Chronicles 19 8 Commentary
Jehoshaphat's establishment of this central court in Jerusalem represents a profound move to institutionalize God-centered justice throughout the kingdom. It builds upon his earlier reforms of sending officials to teach the Law and appointing judges in every city. This final step provided a centralized, authoritative body to resolve the most complex disputes and to ensure that all judgments, religious or civil, were rooted in divine principles. By including Levites and priests, Jehoshaphat emphasized the theological basis of all law and governance, recognizing that true justice aligns with God’s will. The presence of the "chief of the fathers" ensured practical wisdom and representation of the people’s interests. This was not merely a secular legal system but one steeped in covenantal understanding, aiming to bring Judah more fully into conformity with the divine standards for a righteous nation. It reminds believers that true societal order and justice flow from acknowledging and applying God's principles in all aspects of life.
- For instance, in practical application, this structure suggests that leaders should involve spiritually discerning individuals alongside those with practical administrative experience in decision-making bodies. It also implies that all matters of justice, whether civic or personal, should ultimately be brought under the authority and wisdom derived from God's revealed Word.