Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 19:8
Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jehoshaphat addresses the newly commissioned judges in Jerusalem immediately after warning them against partiality and bribery. He establishes a permanent judicial body in the capital to administer civil and religious disputes in his name.
The words — הֶעֱמִיד (he.'e.Mid) means "he appointed," denoting the formal commissioning of the court. מִן־ (min-) translates as "some of," specifying that only selected Levites, priests, and tribal heads were authorized to serve.
The thread — This administrative structure parallels the delegation of judicial authority in Exodus 18:19 and anticipates the Levitical teaching role outlined in 2 Chronicles 17:8. The prohibition against bribery and partiality later receives statutory form in Deuteronomy 17:8.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that legitimate human justice depends on formally appointed representatives who operate under divine accountability. It demands that institutional governance be structured to prioritize impartiality over political or personal influence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 17:8 accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram.
- Exodus 18:19 Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him.
- Deuteronomy 17:8 If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose.
- Deuteronomy 21:5 And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come forward, for the LORD your God has chosen them to serve Him and pronounce blessings in His name and to give a ruling in every dispute and case of assault.
- Deuteronomy 25:1 If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.
- 1 Chronicles 23:4 “Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,
- 1 Chronicles 26:29 From the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons had the outside duties as officers and judges over Israel.