2 Chronicles 29:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then the L'vi'im set about the task - Machat the son of 'Amasai and Yo'el the son of 'Azaryahu from the descendants of the K'hati; of the sons of M'rari, Kish the son of 'Avdi and 'Azaryahu the son of Yehallel'el; of the Gershuni, Yo'ach the son of Zimah and 'Eden the son of Yo'ach;

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the Levites set to work: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah from the Kohathites; Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel from the Merarites; Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah from the Gershonites;

American Standard Version:

Then the Levites arose, Mahath, the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then the Levites^{H3881} arose^{H6965}, Mahath^{H4287} the son^{H1121} of Amasai^{H6022}, and Joel^{H3100} the son^{H1121} of Azariah^{H5838}, of the sons^{H1121} of the Kohathites^{H6956}: and of the sons^{H1121} of Merari^{H4847}, Kish^{H7027} the son^{H1121} of Abdi^{H5660}, and Azariah^{H5838} the son^{H1121} of Jehalelel^{H3094}: and of the Gershonites^{H1649}; Joah^{H3098} the son^{H1121} of Zimmah^{H2155}, and Eden^{H5731} the son^{H1121} of Joah^{H3098}:

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Commentary for 2 Chronicles 29:12

2 Chronicles 29:12 is set within the broader narrative of King Hezekiah's reforms in Judah. After the death of his father, King Ahaz, who led the kingdom into idolatry and spiritual decline, Hezekiah ascended the throne and initiated a series of religious reforms to restore proper worship of Yahweh. This verse specifically lists the names of the Levites who responded to Hezekiah's call to sanctify and cleanse the temple in Jerusalem, which had been neglected and desecrated.

The Levites mentioned—Mahath, Joel, Kish, Azariah, Joah, and Eden—were from three of the four main divisions of the Levitical priesthood: the Kohathites, Merarites, and Gershonites. These groups had specific responsibilities in the care and transportation of the tabernacle and its furnishings, and in assisting the priests with temple duties. By naming these individuals, the text emphasizes the involvement of the entire Levitical community in Hezekiah's efforts to purify the temple and reestablish the worship practices according to the Mosaic Law.

The historical context of this verse is significant because it reflects a turning point in the religious life of Judah. Hezekiah's reforms were a direct response to the widespread apostasy that had taken root during his father's reign. The actions of these Levites demonstrate a commitment to their heritage and the covenantal responsibilities of their priestly roles. Their participation in the temple's cleansing and the subsequent celebration of the Passover (as described in the following chapters) marked a revival of faith and a return to the religious observances that were central to Israel's identity as the people of God. This event is a testament to the power of faithful leadership and the importance of religious purity in the life of God's people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3881
   There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵוִיִּי
   Transliteration: Lêvîyîy
   Pronunciation: lay-vee-ee'
   Description: or לֵוִי; patronymically from לֵוִי; a Levite or descendant of Levi; Leviite.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6965
   There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוּם
   Transliteration: qûwm
   Pronunciation: koom
   Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
   
3. Strong's Number: H4287
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַחַת
   Transliteration: Machath
   Pronunciation: makh'-ath
   Description: probably from מָחָה; erasure; Machath, the name of two Israelites; Mahath.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6022
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֲמָשַׂי
   Transliteration: ʻĂmâsay
   Pronunciation: am-aw-sah'-ee
   Description: from עָמַס; burdensome; Amasai, the name of three Israelites; Amasai.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3100
   There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹאֵל
   Transliteration: Yôwʼêl
   Pronunciation: yo-ale'
   Description: from יְהֹוָה and אֵל; Jehovah (is his) God; Joel, the name of twelve Israelites; Joel.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5838
   There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֲזַרְיָה
   Transliteration: ʻĂzaryâh
   Pronunciation: az-ar-yaw'
   Description: or עֲזַרְיָהוּ; from עָזַר and יָהּ; Jah has helped; Azarjah, the name of nineteen Israelites; Azariah.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6956
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֳהָתִי
   Transliteration: Qŏhâthîy
   Pronunciation: ko-haw-thee'
   Description: patronymically from קְהָת; a Kohathite (collectively) or descendants of Kehath; Kohathites.
   
9. Strong's Number: H4847
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְרָרִי
   Transliteration: Mᵉrârîy
   Pronunciation: mer-aw-ree'
   Description: from מָרַר; bitter; Merari, an Israelite; Merari. See also מְרָרִי.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7027
    There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קִישׁ
    Transliteration: Qîysh
    Pronunciation: keesh
    Description: from קוֹשׁ; a bow; Kish, the name of five Israelites; Kish.
    
11. Strong's Number: H5660
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עַבְדִּי
    Transliteration: ʻAbdîy
    Pronunciation: ab-dee'
    Description: from עָבַד; serviceable; Abdi, the name of two Israelites; Abdi.
    
12. Strong's Number: H3094
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהַלֶּלְאֵל
    Transliteration: Yᵉhallelʼêl
    Pronunciation: yeh-hal-lel-ale'
    Description: from הָלַל and אֵל; praising God; Jehallelel, the name of two Israelites; Jehalellel, Jehalelel.
    
13. Strong's Number: H1649
    There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גֵּרְשֻׁנִּי
    Transliteration: Gêrᵉshunnîy
    Pronunciation: gay-resh-oon-nee'
    Description: patronymically from גֵּרְשׁוֹן; a Gereshonite or descendant of Gereshon; Gershonite, sons of Gershon.
    
14. Strong's Number: H3098
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹאָח
    Transliteration: Yôwʼâch
    Pronunciation: yo-awkh'
    Description: from יְהֹוָה and אָח; Jehovahbrothered; Joach, the name of four Israelites; Joah.
    
15. Strong's Number: H2155
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: זִמָּה
    Transliteration: Zimmâh
    Pronunciation: zim-maw'
    Description: the same as זִמָּה; Zimmah, the name of two Israelites; Zimmah.
    
16. Strong's Number: H5731
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵדֶן
    Transliteration: ʻÊden
    Pronunciation: ay'-den
    Description: the same as עֵדֶן (masculine); Eden, the region of Adam's home; Eden.