2 Chronicles 29:13

And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:

And of the sons {H1121} of Elizaphan {H469}; Shimri {H8113}, and Jeiel {H3273}: and of the sons {H1121} of Asaph {H623}; Zechariah {H2148}, and Mattaniah {H4983}:

of the descendants of Elitzafan, Shimri and Ye'i'el; of the descendants of Asaf, Z'kharyahu and Matanyahu;

Shimri and Jeuel from the Elizaphanites; Zechariah and Mattaniah from the Asaphites;

and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;

Commentary

2 Chronicles 29:13 introduces specific individuals among the Levites who played a crucial role in King Hezekiah's spiritual reforms. This verse, along with others in the immediate context, lists the dedicated men who consecrated themselves to cleanse the defiled Temple of the Lord.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in 2 Chronicles 29 detailing the beginning of King Hezekiah's reign. Unlike his wicked father Ahaz, Hezekiah immediately sought to restore proper worship in Judah. In his first month as king, he opened and repaired the doors of the Temple of the Lord, which had been shut and neglected. He then commanded the priests and Levites to sanctify themselves and cleanse the sanctuary. Verses 12-14 specifically name the Levites from various clans who responded faithfully to this call, demonstrating their commitment to restoring the purity of God's house.

Key Themes

  • Restoration and Revival: The listing of these Levites highlights a pivotal moment of spiritual renewal in Judah. Hezekiah's reign marked a turning point, moving away from idolatry back towards the worship of the one true God.
  • Obedience and Consecration: The individuals named, including Shimri, Jeiel, Zechariah, and Mattaniah, exemplify the Levites' obedient response to the call for consecration. Their willingness to purify themselves and the Temple was essential for the revival to take place.
  • Divine Order and Service: The meticulous listing of names and families underscores the importance of order and specific roles within God's plan for worship. The Levites were divinely appointed for Temple service, including its upkeep and the facilitation of sacrifices and praise.

Linguistic Insights

The names themselves, while not providing deep linguistic insights into the verse's action, represent distinct families and lineages within the tribe of Levi. For example, Asaph was a notable musician and seer associated with Temple worship (see 1 Chronicles 16:5), indicating that these Levites were part of established priestly and musical lines called to serve. The fact that the text lists their specific family heads (Elizaphan, Asaph) emphasizes the organized and communal effort involved in the Temple cleansing, drawing upon the designated servants of God.

Significance and Application

This verse, though seemingly a simple list, carries significant weight. It reminds us that spiritual renewal often requires dedicated individuals who are willing to step forward and perform the necessary work, even when it is difficult or involves cleansing what has been defiled. For believers today, this can be applied to:

  • Personal Purity: Just as the Temple needed cleansing, our lives may need spiritual purification from sin and worldly influences. We are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, requiring ongoing dedication.
  • Service and Willingness: The Levites' immediate response to Hezekiah's call serves as an example of readiness to serve God's purposes.
  • Leadership in Revival: Hezekiah's initiative, supported by the faithful Levites, demonstrates how righteous leadership can inspire collective action for spiritual restoration.

Thus, 2 Chronicles 29:13 is not just a list of names, but a testament to the essential role of obedient servants in facilitating God's redemptive work among His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 6:39

    And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, [even] Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,

  • 1 Chronicles 15:8

    Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred:

  • Leviticus 10:4

    And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.

  • 1 Chronicles 25:2

    Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:17

    So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;
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