King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 31:13 Mean?

“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. under: Heb. at the hand”

2 Chronicles 31:13 · KJV

Context

11

Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them, chambers: or, storehouses

12

And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.

13

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. under: Heb. at the hand

14

And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.

15

And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: next: Heb. at his hand set: or, trust

Read 2 Chronicles 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Thorough removal of idolatry and support for priesthood. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וִֽיחִיאֵ֡ל1 of 22

“And Jehiel”

H3171

jechiel (or jechavel), the name of eight israelites

וַֽ֠עֲזַזְיָהוּ2 of 22

“and Azaziah”

H5812

azazjah, the name of three israelites

וְנַ֨חַת3 of 22

“and Nahath”

H5184

nachath, the name of an edomite and of two israelites

וַֽעֲשָׂהאֵ֜ל4 of 22

“and Asahel”

H6214

asahel, the name of four israelites

וִֽירִימ֤וֹת5 of 22

“and Jerimoth”

H3406

jerimoth or jeremoth, the name of twelve israelites

וְיֽוֹזָבָד֙6 of 22

“and Jozabad”

H3107

jozabad, the name of ten israelites

וֶֽאֱלִיאֵ֣ל7 of 22

“and Eliel”

H447

eliel, the name of nine israelites

וְיִסְמַכְיָ֔הוּ8 of 22

“and Ismachiah”

H3253

jismakjah, an israelite

וּמַ֖חַת9 of 22

“and Mahath”

H4287

machath, the name of two israelites

וּבְנָיָ֑הוּ10 of 22

“and Benaiah”

H1141

benajah, the name of twelve israelites

פְּקִידִ֗ים11 of 22

“were overseers”

H6496

a superintendent (civil, military or religious)

מִיַּ֤ד12 of 22

“under the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

כָּֽונַנְיָ֙הוּ֙13 of 22

“of Cononiah”

H3562

conanjah, the name of two israelites

וְשִׁמְעִ֣י14 of 22

“and Shimei”

H8096

shimi, the name of twenty israelites

אָחִ֔יו15 of 22

“his brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

בְּמִפְקַד֙16 of 22

“at the commandment”

H4662

an appointment, i.e., mandate; concretely, a designated spot; specifically, a census

יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ17 of 22

“of Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ18 of 22

“the king”

H4428

a king

וַֽעֲזַרְיָ֖הוּ19 of 22

“and Azariah”

H5838

azarjah, the name of nineteen israelites

נְגִ֥יד20 of 22

“the ruler”

H5057

a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes

בֵּית21 of 22

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃22 of 22

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 31:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 31:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 11:112 Chronicles 30:122 Chronicles 31:41 Chronicles 9:112 Chronicles 31:10-111 Chronicles 24:5

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 31 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes