King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Also [they were] over the bearers of burdens, and [were] overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites [there were] scribes, and officers, and porters.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They supervised those carrying the loads and everyone doing any kind of work; and there were also L'vi'im who were secretaries, officials and gatekeepers.
Berean Standard Bible:
were over the laborers and supervised all who did the work, task by task. Some of the Levites were secretaries, officers, and gatekeepers.
American Standard Version:
Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and set forward all that did the work in every manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Also they were over the bearers of burdens{H5449}, and were overseers{H5329} of all that wrought{H6213} the work{H4399} in any manner of service{H5656}: and of the Levites{H3881} there were scribes{H5608}, and officers{H7860}, and porters{H7778}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Nehemiah 4:10
- And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and [there is] much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
2 Chronicles 2:18
- And he set threescore and ten thousand of them [to be] bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand [to be] hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.
2 Chronicles 2:10
- And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
2 Chronicles 8:14
- And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
1 Chronicles 9:17
- And the porters [were], Shallum, and Akkub, and Talmon, and Ahiman, and their brethren: Shallum [was] the chief;
1 Chronicles 26:1
- ¶ Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites [was] Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph.
1 Chronicles 26:19
- These [are] the divisions of the porters among the sons of Kore, and among the sons of Merari.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Chronicles 34:13
2 Chronicles 34:13 is part of the narrative describing the reign of King Josiah of Judah, who is known for his efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh and to purify the kingdom from idolatry. This verse specifically highlights the organization of labor and roles within the temple during Josiah's reforms.
In the historical context, Josiah initiated extensive religious reforms after the discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple, which is believed to be a form of the book of Deuteronomy. This discovery spurred a renewal of the covenant between the people of Judah and God. As part of these reforms, Josiah sought to repair and restore the temple of Jerusalem, which had been neglected during the reign of his predecessors.
The verse mentions individuals who were appointed over various tasks related to the temple's restoration. "Bearers of burdens" refers to those who carried materials for the temple's reconstruction. The "overseers" were responsible for managing and supervising the workforce to ensure that the tasks were completed efficiently and effectively. The mention of "Levites" indicates that the religious tribe of Levi, traditionally set apart for temple service, played a significant role in this endeavor. Among the Levites, there were "scribes," who were scholars knowledgeable in the law and could read and interpret the scriptures; "officers," who held administrative roles and possibly were responsible for the organization and logistics of the work; and "porters," or gatekeepers, who guarded the temple entrances and maintained order within the sacred precincts.
The themes of 2 Chronicles 34:13 include religious reform, the importance of temple service, and the organization of society for the purpose of worship and obedience to God's commandments. It reflects the deep connection between religious devotion and the practical aspects of managing a community's affairs, particularly in the context of a significant religious and cultural center like the temple in Jerusalem. This verse underscores the comprehensive nature of Josiah's reforms, affecting not only spiritual practices but also the administrative and labor structures of Judahite society.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5449
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סַבָּל
Transliteration: çabbâl
Pronunciation: sab-bawl'
Description: from סָבַל; a porter; (to bear, bearer of) burden(-s). - Strong's Number: H5329
There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָצַח
Transliteration: nâtsach
Pronunciation: naw-tsakh'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from נֶצַח; properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent; excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward. - Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H4399
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְלָאכָה
Transliteration: mᵉlâʼkâh
Pronunciation: mel-aw-kaw'
Description: from the same as מֲלְאָךְ; properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor); business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). - Strong's Number: H5656
There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבֹדָה
Transliteration: ʻăbôdâh
Pronunciation: ab-o-daw'
Description: or עֲבוֹדָה; from עָבַד; work of any kind; act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. - 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. - Strong's Number: H5608
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָפַר
Transliteration: çâphar
Pronunciation: saw-far'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate; commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. - Strong's Number: H7860
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֹׁטֵר
Transliteration: shôṭêr
Pronunciation: sho-tare'
Description: active participle of an otherwise unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate; officer, overseer, ruler. - Strong's Number: H7778
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוֹעֵר
Transliteration: shôwʻêr
Pronunciation: sho-are'
Description: or שֹׁעֵר active participle of שָׁעַר (as denominative from שַׁעַר); a janitor; doorkeeper, porter.