2 Chronicles 34:12
New International Version
The workers labored faithfully. Over them to direct them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descended from Kohath. The Levites—all who were skilled in playing musical instruments—

New Living Translation
The workers served faithfully under the leadership of Jahath and Obadiah, Levites of the Merarite clan, and Zechariah and Meshullam, Levites of the Kohathite clan. Other Levites, all of whom were skilled musicians,

English Standard Version
And the men did the work faithfully. Over them were set Jahath and Obadiah the Levites, of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to have oversight. The Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music,

Berean Standard Bible
And the men did the work faithfully. The Levites overseeing them were Jahath and Obadiah, descendants of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descendants of Kohath. Other Levites, all skilled with musical instruments,

King James Bible
And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.

New King James Version
And the men did the work faithfully. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah the Levites, of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to supervise. Others of the Levites, all of whom were skillful with instruments of music,

New American Standard Bible
The men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments.

NASB 1995
The men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments.

NASB 1977
And the men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to direct: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments.

Amplified Bible
The men did the work faithfully with foremen over them to supervise and inspect [their work]: Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam of the sons of the Kohathites, and the Levites, all who were skillful with musical instruments.

Christian Standard Bible
The men were doing the work with integrity. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites from the Merarites, and Zechariah and Meshullam from the Kohathites as supervisors. The Levites were all skilled with musical instruments.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The men were doing the work with integrity. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites from the Merarites, and Zechariah and Meshullam from the Kohathites as supervisors. The Levites were all skilled with musical instruments.

American Standard Version
And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and others of the Levites, all that were skilful with instruments of music.

Contemporary English Version
The workers were honest, and their supervisors were Jahath and Obadiah from the Levite clan of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam from the Levite clan of Kohath. Other Levites, who were all skilled musicians,

English Revised Version
And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward: and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of music.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The men did their work faithfully under the supervision of Jahath and Obadiah (Levites descended from Merari), and Zechariah and Meshullam (descendants of Kohath). The Levites, who were skilled musicians,

Good News Translation
The men who did the work were thoroughly honest. They were supervised by four Levites: Jahath and Obadiah of the clan of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam of the clan of Kohath. (The Levites were all skillful musicians.)

International Standard Version
The workmen did their duties faithfully with these foremen supervising them: Jahath and Obadiah, descendants of Levi who were Merari's sons, Zechariah and Meshullam, descendants of Kohath, and various descendants of Levi, who were skilled musicians.

Majority Standard Bible
And the men did the work faithfully. The Levites overseeing them were Jahath and Obadiah, descendants of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descendants of Kohath. Other Levites, all skilled with musical instruments,

NET Bible
The men worked faithfully. Their supervisors were Jahath and Obadiah (Levites descended from Merari), as well as Zechariah and Meshullam (descendants of Kohath). The Levites, all of whom were skilled musicians,

New Heart English Bible
The men did the work faithfully: and their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and others of the Levites, all who were skillful with instruments of music.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to superintend it; and others of the Levites, all that had skill in instruments of music.

World English Bible
The men did the work faithfully. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to give direction; and others of the Levites, who were all skillful with musical instruments.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the men are working faithfully in the business, and over them are appointed Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathite, to overlook; and of the Levites, everyone understanding about instruments of song,

Young's Literal Translation
And the men are working faithfully in the business, and over them are appointed Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathite, to overlook; and of the Levites, every one understanding about instruments of song,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men doing in the work in faithfulness: and over them being appointed Jahath and Obadiah the Levites from the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam from the sons of the Kohathites to superintend; and the Levites all understanding in instruments of song.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they did all faithfully. Now the overseers of the workmen were Jahath and Abdias of the sons of Merari, Zacharias and Mosollam of the sons of Caath, who hastened the work: all Levites skilful to play on instruments.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they did everything faithfully. Now the overseers of the workers were Jahath and Obadiah, from the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, from the sons of Kohath, who were supervising the work. All were Levites who knew how to play musical instruments.

New American Bible
The men worked faithfully at their task; their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites of the line of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the Kohathites, who directed them. All those Levites who were skillful with musical instruments

New Revised Standard Version
The people did the work faithfully. Over them were appointed the Levites Jahath and Obadiah, of the sons of Merari, along with Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to have oversight. Other Levites, all skillful with instruments of music,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the men did the work of the sanctuary faithfully; and the overseers over them were Nahat and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Shallum, of the sons of the Kohathites, and the singers and the Levites who played with the instruments of music,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men were doing the works of the Holy Place in faithfulness, and Nakhat and Oubdaya sons of Merari and Zekaryah and Shalum sons of Qahath had authority over them, and the Singers and the Levites those who were singing with instruments of music
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the men did the work faithfully; and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to preside over it; and other of the Levites, all that had skill with instruments of music.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the men were faithfully engaged in the works: and over them were superintendents, Jeth and Abdias, Levites of the sons of Merari, and Zacharias and Mosollam, of the sons of Caath, appointed to oversee; and every Levite, and every one that understood how to play on musical instruments.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Josiah Repairs the Temple
11They also gave money to the carpenters and builders to buy dressed stone, as well as timbers for couplings and beams for the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to deteriorate. 12And the men did the work faithfully. The Levites overseeing them were Jahath and Obadiah, descendants of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, descendants of Kohath. Other Levites, all skilled with musical instruments, 13were over the laborers and supervised all who did the work, task by task. Some of the Levites were secretaries, officers, and gatekeepers.…

Cross References
2 Kings 22:6-7
to the carpenters, builders, and masons—to buy timber and dressed stone to repair the temple. / But they need not account for the money put into their hands, since they work with integrity.”

Ezra 3:7
They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.

Nehemiah 4:6
So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

1 Kings 5:6
Now therefore, order that cedars of Lebanon be cut down for me. My servants will be with your servants, and I will pay your servants whatever wages you set, for you know that there are none among us as skilled in logging as the Sidonians.”

1 Kings 6:7
The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.

Exodus 36:1-2
“So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person are to carry out everything commanded by the LORD, who has given them skill and ability to know how to perform all the work of constructing the sanctuary.” / Then Moses summoned Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person whom the LORD had gifted—everyone whose heart stirred him to come and do the work.

1 Chronicles 22:15-16
You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and men skilled in every kind of work— / in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you.”

1 Chronicles 28:21
The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the service of the house of God, and every willing man of every skill will be at your disposal for the work. The officials and all the people are fully at your command.”

1 Kings 7:13-14
Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre. / He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram had great skill, understanding, and knowledge for every kind of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and carried out all his work.

1 Kings 5:18
So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple.

1 Kings 6:12
“As for this temple you are building, if you walk in My statutes, carry out My ordinances, and keep all My commandments by walking in them, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father David.

1 Corinthians 3:9-10
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. / By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.

Ephesians 2:20-22
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.


Treasury of Scripture

And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of music.

faithfully

2 Chronicles 31:12
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.

2 Kings 12:15
Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.

2 Kings 22:7
Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.

all

1 Chronicles 6:31
And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest.

1 Chronicles 15:16-22
And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of musick, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy…

1 Chronicles 16:4,5,41
And he appointed certain of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, and to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel: …

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Faithfully Foremen Forward Instruments Jahath Kohathites Levites Merari Meshullam Music Musical Obadiah Others Overseers Preside Skill Skillful Superintend Supervise Work Zechariah
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Faithfully Foremen Forward Instruments Jahath Kohathites Levites Merari Meshullam Music Musical Obadiah Others Overseers Preside Skill Skillful Superintend Supervise Work Zechariah
2 Chronicles 34
1. Josiah's good reign
3. He destroys idolatry
8. He takes order for the repair of the temple
14. Hilkiah, having found a book of the law,
21. Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord
23. Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah's time
29. Josiah, causing it to be read in a solemn assembly, renews the covenant with God














And the men did the work faithfully
The Hebrew word for "faithfully" is "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah), which conveys a sense of steadfastness, reliability, and trustworthiness. This phrase highlights the integrity and dedication of those involved in the temple restoration. In a spiritual context, it serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness in our own service to God, emphasizing that our work should be done with sincerity and commitment, reflecting the character of God Himself.

Over them were appointed Jahath and Obadiah, Levites from the Merarites
The Merarites were one of the three main divisions of the Levites, descendants of Levi, tasked with specific duties related to the tabernacle and later the temple. Jahath and Obadiah, as leaders from this group, were entrusted with oversight, indicating their reliability and leadership qualities. This appointment underscores the organized structure within the Levitical priesthood and the importance of leadership in maintaining order and efficiency in God's work.

and Zechariah and Meshullam from the Kohathites, to supervise
The Kohathites, another division of the Levites, were responsible for the most sacred aspects of the tabernacle service, including the care of the ark and other holy items. Zechariah and Meshullam's role as supervisors reflects the trust placed in them to ensure the work was done according to divine standards. This highlights the necessity of spiritual oversight and accountability in ministry, ensuring that all actions align with God's will and purpose.

And all the Levites who were skilled with instruments of music
Music played a significant role in Israelite worship, and the Levites were often tasked with leading musical worship. The mention of their skill with instruments indicates the value placed on excellence in worship. This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of using our God-given talents to glorify Him, encouraging believers to cultivate their gifts and offer them in service to the Lord with excellence and joy.

(12) And the men did the work faithfully.--Literally, And the men were working (or dealing) in good faith in the work. In 2Kings 22:7 Josiah bids the High Priest not to require any account of the money delivered to the master-workmen, "because they work in good faith."

And the overseers of them were.--And over them were set. The names of the overseers, and the details added in next verse, are peculiar to and characteristic of the chronicler.

To set it forward.--To lead, conduct, preside; usually a musical term. (Comp. 1Chronicles 23:4.)

And other . . . music.--Literally, and the Levites, to wit, every one skilled in the instruments of song. (Comp. 1Chronicles 15:16; 1Chronicles 25:7.) . . .

Verse 12. - Faithfully, Refer back to note, 2 Chronicles 31:12. To set... forward; Hebrew, לְנַצֶּהַ; the idea, of course, not so much that of expediting, as of guiding and instructing. The mention of those Levites whoso business was music is rather a surprise, and is not found in the parallel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And the men
וְהָאֲנָשִׁים֩ (wə·hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

did
עֹשִׂ֨ים (‘ō·śîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

the work
בַּמְּלָאכָ֗ה (bam·mə·lā·ḵāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

faithfully.
בֶּאֱמוּנָ֜ה (be·’ĕ·mū·nāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 530: Firmness, steadfastness, fidelity

The Levites
הַלְוִיִּם֙ (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

overseeing them
מֻ֠פְקָדִים (mup̄·qā·ḏîm)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

were Jahath
יַ֣חַת (ya·ḥaṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3189: Jahath -- 'He will snatch up', the name of several Israelites

and Obadiah,
וְעֹבַדְיָ֤הוּ (wə·‘ō·ḇaḏ·yā·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5662: Obadiah -- 'servant of Yah', the name of a number of Israelites

descendants
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Merari,
מְרָרִ֔י (mə·rā·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4847: Merari -- a son of Levi

and Zechariah
וּזְכַרְיָ֧ה (ū·zə·ḵar·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2148: Zachariah -- the name of a number of Israelites

and Meshullam
וּמְשֻׁלָּ֛ם (ū·mə·šul·lām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4918: Meshullam -- the name of a number of Israelites

descendants
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Kohath.
הַקְּהָתִ֖ים (haq·qə·hā·ṯîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6956: Kohathites -- descendant of Kohath

[Other] Levites,
וְהַ֨לְוִיִּ֔ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

skilled
מֵבִ֖ין (mê·ḇîn)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

with musical
שִֽׁיר׃ (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

instruments,
בִּכְלֵי־ (biḵ·lê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 34:12 The men did the work faithfully: (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 34:11
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