God’s Word Translation
2 Chronicles 34:12
12The men did their work faithfully under the supervision of Jahath and Obadiah (Levites descended from Merari), and Zechariah and Meshullam (descendants of Kohath). The Levites, who were skilled musicians,
2 Chronicles 34:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.
- New International Version (NIV)The workers labored faithfully. Over them to direct them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath. The Levites—all who were skilled in playing musical instruments—
- English Standard Version (ESV)And the men did the work faithfully. Over them were set Jahath and Obadiah the Levites, of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to have oversight. The Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music,
- New King James Version (NKJV)And the men did the work faithfully. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah the Levites, of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to supervise. Others of the Levites, all of whom were skillful with instruments of music,
Context of 2 Chronicles 34:12
10They gave the money to the foremen who were in charge of the Lord’s temple. These foremen gave it to the workmen who were restoring and repairing the temple. 11(These workers included carpenters and builders.) They were to buy quarried stones and wood for the fittings and beams of the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to become run-down. The men did their work faithfully under the supervision of Jahath and Obadiah (Levites descended from Merari), and Zechariah and Meshullam (descendants of Kohath). The Levites, who were skilled musicians, 13also supervised the workers and directed all the workmen on the various jobs. Some of the Levites served as scribes, officials, or gatekeepers. 14When they brought out the money that had been deposited in the Lord’s temple, the priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Lord’s Teachings written by Moses.
Read all of 2 Chronicles 342 Chronicles 34:12 word by word
וְהָאֲנָשִׁים֩ עֹשִׂ֨ים בֶּאֱמוּנָ֜ה בַּמְּלָאכָ֗ה וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם׀ מֻ֠פְקָדִים יַ֣חַת וְעֹבַדְיָ֤הוּ הַלְוִיִּם֙ מִן־בְּנֵ֣י מְרָרִ֔י וּזְכַרְיָ֧ה וּמְשֻׁלָּ֛ם מִן־בְּנֵ֥י הַקְּהָתִ֖ים לְנַצֵּ֑חַ וְהַ֨לְוִיִּ֔ם כָּל־מֵבִ֖ין בִּכְלֵי־שִֽׁיר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And the menאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
- didעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- the workמְלָאכָהmelâ'kâh · workH4399
- faithfullyאֱמוּנָה'ĕmûnâh 'ĕmûnâh · faithfulnessH530
- and the overseersנָצַחnâtsach · to conductH5329
- Jahathיַ֫חַתyachath · JahathH3189
- and Obadiahעֹבַדְיָ֫הוּ‛ôbadyâh ‛ôbadyâhû · ObadiahH5662
- the Levitesלֵוִיlêvîyîy lêvîy · LeviH3881
- of the sonsבֵּןbên · son: childH1121
- of Merariמְרָרִיmerârîy · MerariH4847
- and Zechariahזְכַרְיָהוּzekaryâh zekaryâhû · ZechariahH2148
- and Meshullamמְשֻׁלָּםmeshûllâm · MeshullamH4918
- of the sons of the Kohathitesקְהָתִיqŏhâthîy · KohathiteH6956
- forwardפָּקַדpâqad · to reckon: overseerH6485
- all that could skillבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
- of instrumentsכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627
- of musickשִׁירshîyr shîyrâh · songH7892
Cross-references for 2 Chronicles 34:12
- 2 Chronicles 31:12they faithfully brought in the contributions, the offerings of one-tenth of the crops, and the gifts dedicated to God. The Levite Conaniah was in charge of these things, and his brother Shimei was his assistant.
- 2 Kings 12:15They didn’t require the men who were entrusted with the money for the workers to give an account, because they were honest people.
- 2 Kings 22:7Since the workmen are honest, don’t require them to account for the money you give them.”
- Nehemiah 7:2I put my brother Hanani and Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem. Hananiah was a trustworthy man, and he feared God more than most people do.
- Proverbs 28:20A trustworthy person has many blessings, but anyone in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2Managers are required to be trustworthy.
- 1 Chronicles 6:31David put men in charge of the music in the Lord’s temple after the ark was placed there permanently.
- 1 Chronicles 15:16David told the Levite leaders to appoint some of their relatives to serve as musicians. They were expected to play music on harps, lyres, and cymbals to produce joyful music for singing.
- 1 Chronicles 16:4David appointed some Levites to serve in front of the Lord’s ark by offering prayers, thanks, and praise to the Lord God of Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 23:54,000 were appointed to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 were appointed to praise the Lord with the instruments David had made for praising God.
- 1 Chronicles 25:1David and the army commanders appointed the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to serve as prophets with lyres, harps, and cymbals. This is the list of the men who performed this service:
Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 34:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12All that could skill of instruments of music - Did the musicians play on their several instruments to encourage and enliven the workmen? Is not this a probable case from their mention here? If this were really the case, instrumental music was never better applied in any thing that refers to the worship of God. It is fabled of Orpheus, a most celebrated musician, that such was the enchanting harmony of his lyre, that he built the city of Thebes by it: the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-13The fact that musicians supervised the construction shows the importance of Levites leading this work. Other ancient texts mention that music was often part of construction projects.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Chronicles 34:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 34
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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