Judicial Reforms: Judges Appointed to Administer Justice
2 Chronicles 19:4-11
2 C.19.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בעם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מבאר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שבע: NUM,card
- עד: PREP
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישיבם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבותיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 (structural): Jehoshaphat's earlier program of sending Levites and priests throughout Judah to teach the people mirrors the action of going out through the land to restore the people to the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 15:8-15 (thematic): Asa's reform movement — gathering the people, removing idols, and making a covenant to seek the LORD — parallels Jehoshaphat's effort to bring the people back to their God.
- Ezra 7:10 (verbal): Ezra 'prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD and to teach in Israel' — similar language and purpose (personal/official commitment to return people to the LORD through teaching and reform).
- Nehemiah 8:2-3 (thematic): The public reading of the Law and the people's response in Nehemiah (a communal turning back to God) echoes Jehoshaphat's mission to restore the people to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 30:2-3 (thematic): The covenant promise that when Israel returns to the LORD He will restore them parallels the theological aim of Jehoshaphat's outreach — calling the people to return to their God for restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem. Then he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
- Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem. He went out again among the people—from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim—and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 C.19.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- שפטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- הבצרות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- לעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועיר: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,const
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 16:18 (verbal): Direct command to 'appoint judges and officers' throughout the towns — a legal precedent for setting judges in the land.
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (structural): Moses' instruction to appoint wise, impartial judges for all the people parallels the administration of justice 'in all the fortified cities.'
- Exodus 18:21-22 (thematic): Jethro's advice to Moses to appoint capable, God-fearing officials to share judging duties echoes the decentralization of justice into towns and cities.
- 2 Chronicles 19:4 (structural): Immediate context: Jehoshaphat's commissioning of judges — this verse continues the same action of establishing judges throughout Judah.
- 2 Chronicles 19:8 (thematic): Further instructions to judges to 'judge for the LORD' and to fear the LORD connect the placement of judges in cities with their covenantal responsibilities.
Alternative generated candidates
- He appointed judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.
- He appointed judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.
2 C.19.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- השפטים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- מה: PRON,int
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עשים: VERB,qal,inf
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- לאדם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תשפטו: VERB,qal,impf,2,pl
- כי: CONJ
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ועמכם: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,pl,m
- בדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (verbal): Directly parallels the charge to judges to hear cases impartially and the statement that the decision is God’s (’for the judgment is God’), echoing ’you do not judge for man but for the LORD.’
- Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (thematic): Instructs appointment of judges and officers who must administer righteous, impartial justice — the same institutional and ethical concern behind Jehoshaphat’s admonition.
- Leviticus 19:15 (thematic): Commands impartiality in judgment (’do not judge by the sight of the eye, nor reprove by the hearing of the ear’/’do not pervert judgment’), reflecting the call not to judge for men but for God.
- Psalm 82:2-4 (allusion): God stands in the divine assembly and rebukes unjust judges, calling them to defend the weak and judge rightly — thematically linked to the responsibility of human judges under God’s authority.
- 2 Chronicles 19:7 (structural): Immediate parallel in context: Jehoshaphat’s further exhortation that the fear of the LORD be upon the judges and reminder that the matter belongs to God, reinforcing 19:6’s point.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to the judges, "Pay attention to what you do, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD; the matter of judgment is with you."
- And he said to the judges, "Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD; and the matter of judgment is with you."
2 C.19.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- יהי: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- פחד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
- שמרו: VERB,qal,imper,2,m,pl
- ועשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- עם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- עולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומשא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומקח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שחד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 10:17 (verbal): Uses almost identical language about God not showing partiality and not accepting a bribe (אין־משא פנים ולא־קח שחד), directly reflecting the theological claim in 2 Chron 19:7.
- Deuteronomy 16:19 (verbal): A legal injunction against perverting justice, showing partiality, and taking bribes—parallels the judicial admonition to fear the LORD and avoid favoritism or bribery.
- Leviticus 19:15 (verbal): Commands impartial judgment (לא תעשו עול במשפט, לא תעשו משא־פנים) which echoes 2 Chr 19:7's emphasis on fairness and absence of partiality in rulings.
- Exodus 23:8 (verbal): Explicit prohibition of taking bribes (ולא תקח שחד) and a warning about the corrupting effect of bribes, closely related to the anti-bribery element of 2 Chron 19:7.
- Jeremiah 22:3 (thematic): Prophetic call to do justice, rescue the oppressed, and refrain from oppression and bribery—thematically parallel to Jehoshaphat's charge to act justly because God shows no partiality.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be careful and do it, for the LORD our God shows no partiality and accepts no bribe.
- Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be careful and act, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God—he shows no partiality and accepts no bribe.
2 C.19.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- העמיד: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ומראשי: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,const
- האבות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולריב: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 1:16-18 (verbal): Moses appoints leaders and judges to decide disputes among the people—parallel in purpose and language to appointing judges to administer יהוה’s justice.
- Exodus 18:21-26 (thematic): Jethro’s counsel to appoint capable men as judges to bear the people’s burdens echoes Jehoshaphat’s establishment of a judicial system to handle controversies.
- Deuteronomy 17:8-13 (allusion): Instruction to bring difficult legal cases to the place the LORD chooses (priests/judges) reflects the centralization of legal authority and the role of priests/Levites in adjudication found in 2 Chr 19:8.
- 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 (structural): Earlier in Chronicles Jehoshaphat sends princes with Levites and priests to teach and administer the law—closely related administrative and judicial reforms anticipated and reiterated in 2 Chr 19:8.
- Ezra 7:25 (verbal): Artaxerxes’ instruction to Ezra to appoint magistrates and judges who know the laws to carry out justice parallels Jehoshaphat’s appointment of Levites/priests and heads to judge and resolve disputes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And in Jerusalem he appointed of the Levites and of the priests and of the heads of the fathers of Israel to serve for the LORD's judgments and for disputes; and they took their seats in Jerusalem.
- Also in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat set some of the Levites and the priests and the heads of the fathers' houses of Israel for the judgments of the LORD and for controversies; and they sat in Jerusalem.
2 C.19.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- כה: ADV
- תעשון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ביראת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- באמונה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובלבב: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 19:5-7 (structural): Immediate context — Jehoshaphat appoints judges and charges them to fear the LORD and act righteously; verse 9 restates the charge to act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a whole heart.
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (thematic): Instruction for judges to adjudicate disputes impartially and wisely; parallels the judicial setting and the exhortation to judge with reverence and integrity.
- Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (thematic): Command to appoint judges and to ‘pursue justice’ — provides the Mosaic background for royal/judicial charges to act justly 'in the fear of the LORD.'
- 1 Kings 8:61 (verbal): Uses the closely related phrase 'let your heart be perfect with the LORD' (or 'whole heart'), echoing the language of acting 'with a perfect/whole heart' before God.
- Micah 6:8 (thematic): Summarizes ethical demands — act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God — resonating with the call to conduct judicial and communal life 'in the fear of the LORD' and in faithfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he charged them, saying, "Thus you shall act in the fear of the LORD— with faithfulness and a whole heart."
- And he charged them, saying, "Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD: be faithful and wholehearted in your hearts."
2 C.19.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ריב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
- מאחיכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- הישבים: PART,qal,ptc,3,m,pl,def
- בעריהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- בין: PREP
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- תורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למצוה: PREP,sg,f
- לחקים: PREP,pl,m
- ולמשפטים: CONJ+PREP,pl,m
- והזהרתם: CONJ+VERB,hif,perf,2,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- יאשמו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- קצף: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- אחיכם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,pl
- כה: ADV
- תעשון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- תאשמו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (verbal): Commands to 'appoint judges and officers' who will judge righteously and 'not pervert justice' closely parallel the judicial injunctions and warning against bearing guilt before the LORD in 2 Chr 19:10.
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (verbal): Moses' instructions to judge disputes impartially and not show partiality reflect the same charge to judges to hear cases among the people and avoid culpability found in 2 Chr 19:10.
- Exodus 18:21-22 (structural): Jethro's counsel to appoint capable, God-fearing officials to decide cases provides the practical model for appointing and warning judges so the community will not be guilty, as in 2 Chr 19:10.
- Leviticus 19:15 (verbal): The prohibition against perverting judgment or showing partiality ('Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality') echoes the ethical/legal concern of 2 Chr 19:10 that judges not render decisions that bring guilt before the LORD.
- Psalm 82:3-4 (thematic): The call to 'defend the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed' parallels the broader social-justice purpose of fair adjudication and protection in disputes described in 2 Chr 19:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- Every case that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether between blood and blood, between law and commandment, between statute and ordinance—warn them, so that they may not be guilty before the LORD; otherwise wrath will come upon you and upon your brothers. Thus shall you act, and you will not be guilty.
- And any dispute that comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether concerning blood, or law, or commandment, or statutes, or ordinances—you shall warn them, that they may not be guilty before the LORD and that wrath may not come upon you and upon your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you shall not be guilty.
2 C.19.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- אמריהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- הראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עליכם: PREP+PRON,2mp
- לכל: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וזבדיהו: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישמעאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנגיד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- לכל: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ושטרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לפניכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- חזקו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ועשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 19:4-7 (structural): Immediate context: Jehoshaphat's charge to the judges and the appointment of priests and Levites to administer justice mirrors and sets up v.11's assignment of Amariah, Zebadiah, and the Levites as officials.
- 2 Chronicles 17:8-9 (thematic): Earlier reform under Jehoshaphat where he appointed Levites and priests to teach and administer justice in the cities—parallels the delegation of religious and judicial authority in 19:11.
- Deuteronomy 1:15-17 (verbal): Moses' appointment of judges for the people with instructions about impartial decision-making and appeals anticipates the Israelite pattern of delegating judicial authority reflected in 2 Chr 19:11.
- Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (thematic): The law's command to 'appoint judges and officers' who administer justice righteously provides the legal/theological background for Jehoshaphat's appointments of priests, a governor, and Levites as officials in v.11.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael is the governor of the house of Judah in all matters of the king; the Levites serve as officers before you. Be strong and do; may the LORD be with those who do good.
- Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah son of Ishmael is the governor of the house of Judah in all matters of the king; and the Levites are officers before you. Be strong and act; and may the LORD be with the upright.
Jehoshaphat settled in Jerusalem; then he went out among the people from Beersheba to the hill of Ephraim and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
He set judges throughout the land, in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.
He said to the judges, “See what you do, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD; the matter of judgment is with you. Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be careful and act, for the LORD our God shows no partiality and takes no bribe.” And in Jerusalem he appointed from the Levites, from the priests, and from the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel to judge for the LORD and to settle disputes; they sat in Jerusalem.
He charged them, saying, “Thus you shall act: in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with wholehearted devotion. And any case that comes to you from your towns—whether a case of blood, or of law, or of obligation, of statute or of commandment—warn the parties, that they may not be guilty before the LORD; for wrath will come upon you and upon your brethren. Thus do, and you will not be guilty.” And behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael is ruler over the house of Judah in all the matters of the king, and the Levites are officers before you. Be strong and do your work; may the LORD be with the good.