2 Chronicles 19: Jehu's rebuke, and Jehoshaphat sets judges
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What happens?
Jehoshaphat returns to Jerusalem in peace, and Jehu the son of Hanani goes out to meet him and says that wrath is on him from Yahweh for helping the wicked, though good things are found in him. Jehoshaphat goes out among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and brings them back to Yahweh, sets judges in all the fortified cities of Judah, and tells them to judge for Yahweh. In Jerusalem he also appoints Levites, priests and heads of families to give judgment and settle disputes, and he names Amariah over the matters of Yahweh and Zebadiah over the king's matters.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words of his own in this chapter. Jehu speaks in verses 2 and 3, and the words about wrath "from before Yahweh" are his own. Jehoshaphat speaks to the judges in verses 6 and 7, and to the Levites, priests and family heads in verses 9 to 11; his words about Yahweh in verse 7 ("there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God") are his own, not God's. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
In plain English: Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace, to Jerusalem.
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2Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked, and love those who hate Yahweh? Because of this, wrath is on you from before Yahweh.
In plain English: Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate Yahweh? Because of this, wrath is on you from before Yahweh.
Good to know: The verse names Jehu as "the son of Hanani the seer". says that "Hanani the seer" came to Asa king of Judah. This verse does not say whether it is the same Hanani. says the acts of Jehoshaphat are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani.
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3Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.”
In plain English: But good things are found with you, for you have removed the Asherah poles (this Bible: Asheroth) from the land and have set your heart to seek God."
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4Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
In plain English: Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
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5He set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
In plain English: He appointed judges in the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,
Good to know: says "You shall make judges and officers in all your gates". This verse says Jehoshaphat appointed judges in all the fortified cities of Judah, and does not mention officers.
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6and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you don’t judge for man, but for Yahweh; and he is with you in the judgment.
In plain English: and said to the judges, "Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for Yahweh, and he is with you in a matter of judgment.
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7Now therefore let the fear of Yahweh be on you. Take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.”
In plain English: So now let the dread (or: fear) of Yahweh be on you. Take care and act, for with Yahweh our God there is no injustice, no lifting up of face (this Bible: respect of persons) and no taking of a bribe."
The Hebrew words: "Respect of persons" is word for word "lifting up of face". The Hebrew word for "lifting up" is masso, which the dictionary gives as "partiality (as a lifting up)", and it is in only this verse in the Bible.
Good to know: says Yahweh "doesn't respect persons or take bribes". Here Jehoshaphat says there is none of that with "Yahweh our God".
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8Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites, priests, and heads of the fathers’ households of Israel to give judgment for Yahweh and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem.
In plain English: Also in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and the priests and some of the heads of the fathers' households of Israel for the judgment of Yahweh and for disputes. They returned to Jerusalem.
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9He commanded them, saying, “You shall do this in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
In plain English: He commanded them, saying, "You shall do this in the fear of Yahweh, in faithfulness and with a complete heart.
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10Whenever any controversy comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you must warn them, that they not be guilty toward Yahweh, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.
In plain English: Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, you shall warn them so that they are not guilty before Yahweh, and wrath comes on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.
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11Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Yahweh; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and may Yahweh be with the good.”
In plain English: Look, Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of Yahweh, and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the leader of the house of Judah, in every matter of the king. The Levites will be officials before you. Be strong and act, and may Yahweh be with the good (or: with what is good)."
The Hebrew word: "The good" at the end of the verse is word for word "the good", and the Hebrew does not say whether it means good people or what is good.
What changes: Read as "the good" meaning people, Yahweh is with those who are good. Read as "what is good", Yahweh is with the good thing that is done. The text does not say which.
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