2 Chronicles 31 13

2 Chronicles 31:13 kjv

And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.

2 Chronicles 31:13 nkjv

Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.

2 Chronicles 31:13 niv

Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah, Mahath and Benaiah were assistants of Konaniah and Shimei his brother. All these served by appointment of King Hezekiah and Azariah the official in charge of the temple of God.

2 Chronicles 31:13 esv

while Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers assisting Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the chief officer of the house of God.

2 Chronicles 31:13 nlt

The supervisors under them were Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah, Mahath, and Benaiah. These appointments were made by King Hezekiah and Azariah, the chief official in the Temple of God.

2 Chronicles 31 verses

2 Chronicles 31 13 Meaning

This verse precisely details a list of ten specific individuals who served as sub-overseers, or administrators. These men were under the direct authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei, who held higher administrative roles over the tithes and offerings collected for the temple. Their appointments were explicitly mandated by King Hezekiah, further legitimized by the oversight of Azariah, who was the chief "ruler of the house of God," likely the High Priest. The verse highlights the meticulously organized administrative structure established during Hezekiah's reign to ensure proper management and distribution of temple resources, vital for the sustenance of the priests and Levites and the functionality of divine worship.

2 Chronicles 31 13 Context

2 Chronicles 31 forms part of the narrative detailing King Hezekiah's extensive reforms in Judah, following the idolatry and neglect under his father, King Ahaz. Chapter 29 describes Hezekiah reopening and cleansing the Temple. Chapter 30 recounts the widespread celebration of Passover, drawing people from both Judah and Israel. Chapter 31 specifically addresses the administrative aspects of his religious revival. Hezekiah understood that true worship required not only spiritual zeal but also practical infrastructure. This chapter details his decree to the people to bring their mandated portions of offerings and tithes for the priests and Levites. The overwhelming response of the people led to an abundance of provisions, necessitating the establishment of an organized system for their collection, storage, and equitable distribution. Verse 13 specifically lists the men responsible for the daily execution of this critical administrative task, demonstrating Hezekiah's thoroughness in restoring order and ensuring the material support of those consecrated to God's service, allowing them to focus entirely on their temple duties without worldly distractions.

2 Chronicles 31 13 Word analysis

• and Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah: These ten names represent the individuals chosen for a specific level of oversight within the newly established system. The act of listing them individually highlights the meticulous nature of Hezekiah's reforms and the importance attributed to personal accountability and defined roles. Many of these names contain theophoric elements (like '-iah' meaning 'Yah' or 'the LORD'), suggesting a reverence for God embedded even in the names of these administrators.
• were overseers (פְּקִידִים - pekidim): This Hebrew term signifies appointed officers, administrators, or superintendents. It indicates a position of designated authority and responsibility over specific duties, rather than merely informal help. They were trusted personnel tasked with the practical management of resources. Their role was crucial in ensuring proper order and equity in the temple's daily operations.
• under the hand of (עַל־יַד - al-yad): This idiom denotes direct subordination, accountability, or assistance to a higher authority. It clarifies the hierarchical structure: these ten overseers reported directly to Conaniah and Shimei, operating under their guidance and supervision. This ensured a clear chain of command and responsible delegation.
• Conaniah and Shimei his brother: Conaniah was the chief Levite treasurer, directly appointed by Hezekiah to manage the massive influx of tithes and offerings. Shimei served as his deputy, indicating a team approach to the principal oversight. Their high position underscores the scale and importance of the financial and logistical operation.
• by the appointment of (בְּמִצְוַת - bimitzvat): This means "by the command of," "by the order of," or "by the precept of." It clearly establishes that the entire administrative structure, including the specific appointments mentioned, was not arbitrary but a direct directive from the highest authority in the land—King Hezekiah himself. This legitimizes their roles and reflects royal support for the religious reforms.
• King Hezekiah: As the monarch, his command carried ultimate authority. His personal involvement in establishing this detailed administration demonstrates his deep commitment to restoring proper worship and the welfare of God's house and its servants, a stark contrast to previous reigns of neglect.
• and Azariah the ruler of the house of God (וַעֲזַרְיָהוּ נָגִיד בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים - v'Azaryahu nagid beit ha'Elohim): Azariah held a very prominent position, likely the High Priest. The term `נָגִיד` (nagid) means "ruler," "leader," or "prince," often one chosen or appointed by divine or royal authority. His inclusion signifies that these practical administrative measures were directly integrated with and blessed by the spiritual head of the temple. His oversight connected the logistical details with the overall sacred purpose of the offerings.

• Words-group Analysis:
• List of Names: The explicit listing of so many names, both principal and subordinate, highlights the highly organized and systematic nature of Hezekiah's administration. It underscores accountability and that many individuals were dedicated to ensuring the proper function of God's house. It was a well-staffed and structured operation, not a casual endeavor.
• Hierarchical Structure (overseers → Conaniah/Shimei → Hezekiah/Azariah): This clear chain of command illustrates fundamental principles of good governance: delegation of authority, supervision, and ultimate responsibility residing with the highest leadership. It reflects an efficient, well-thought-out system for managing the national resources dedicated to divine worship, combining both secular and spiritual leadership in its implementation. This structured approach prevented mismanagement and ensured the proper care of the priests and Levites.

2 Chronicles 31 13 Bonus Section

• Significance of the Levites: The majority of individuals listed, including Conaniah, Shimei, and the ten overseers, were Levites. This highlights the Levites' divinely appointed role not only in temple service but also in the administration and maintenance of the sacrificial system and the care of temple resources, ensuring order in God's house as per the Mosaic Law.
• Emphasis on Order and Provision: This verse is a powerful counter-narrative to previous periods of disarray and neglect (e.g., during King Ahaz's reign or during times described in Nehemiah where the Levites fled for lack of support). It stresses that proper provision for God's servants and order in His house are direct consequences of a nation turning back to God in obedience.
• The Blueprint for Church Administration: While specifically for the Old Testament temple, the principles illustrated—hierarchical leadership, delegated authority, detailed record-keeping, and ensuring provision for those serving—provide an early blueprint for efficient and accountable administration that remains relevant for the organized body of believers, the church, today. The careful accounting demonstrates integrity in handling sacred offerings.

2 Chronicles 31 13 Commentary

2 Chronicles 31:13 serves as a testament to the thoroughness of King Hezekiah's religious reformation. It goes beyond the grand acts of cleansing the temple and celebrating Passover to detail the vital, yet often overlooked, administrative structures essential for sustaining genuine worship. The meticulous listing of names and delineation of roles for overseers underscores that effective ministry requires not just spiritual fervor, but also practical stewardship and diligent administration. This verse reveals Hezekiah's wisdom in establishing a robust system of accountability and management for the offerings, ensuring that those serving in the temple, from the High Priest down to the Levite musician, were consistently provided for. This systematic provision allowed the temple servants to "devote themselves to the law of the LORD" (2 Chr 31:4), demonstrating a holistic understanding of true worship where spiritual devotion is underpinned by practical order and faithful resource management. It reminds us that godly endeavors thrive on both divine inspiration and sound, organized execution, highlighting the importance of every person, from the top leader to the sub-overseer, in fulfilling God's will. For practical usage, this highlights the necessity of transparent finances and clear reporting structures in church or ministry organizations to maintain integrity and effectiveness.