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Friday, July 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Read the Bible

Douay-Rheims Bible

2 Chronicles 19:8

In Jerusalem also Josaphat appointed Levites, and priests and chiefs of the families of Israel, to judge the judgment and the cause of the Lord for the inhabitants thereof.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Court;   Jehoshaphat;   Judge;   Levites;   Priest;   Thompson Chain Reference - Jehoshaphat;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Courts of Justice;   Fear, Godly;   Levites, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Chronicles;   Justice;   Levites;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Jehoshaphat;   Judge;   King;   Levite;   Priest;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Jehoshaphat;   Zebadiah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Appeal;   Jehoshaphat;   Levites;   Priest;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Court Systems;   Judge (Office);   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronicles, I;   Government;   King;   Priests and Levites;   Sanhedrin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Patriarch ;   Synagogue;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Priest;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Appeal;   Law of Moses;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Sanhedrim;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Chronicles, Books of;   Ishmael (1);   Jehoshaphat (2);   Judge;   Priests and Levites;   Teach;   Zebadiah;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Authority, Rabbinical;   Gerusia;   Judge;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Jehoshaphat also appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites and priests and some of the Israelite family heads for deciding the Lord’s will and for settling disputes of the residents of Jerusalem.
Hebrew Names Version
Moreover in Yerushalayim did Yehoshafat set of the Levites and the Kohanim, and of the heads of the fathers' [houses] of Yisra'el, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies. They returned to Yerushalayim.
King James Version
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord , and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
English Standard Version
Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.
New Century Version
And in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests, and leaders of Israelite families to be judges. They were to decide cases about the law of the Lord and settle problems between the people who lived in Jerusalem.
New English Translation
In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some Levites, priests, and Israelite family leaders to judge on behalf of the Lord and to settle disputes among the residents of Jerusalem.
Amplified Bible
In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the fathers' households of Israel to render the judgment of the LORD and to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
New American Standard Bible
In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers' households of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
World English Bible
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers' [houses] of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Moreouer in Ierusalem did Iehoshaphat set of the Leuites, and of the Priests and of the chiefe of the families of Israel, for the iudgement and cause of the Lord: & they returned to Ierusale.
Legacy Standard Bible
In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers' households of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh and to judge disputes. So they returned to Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem.
Contemporary English Version
Jehoshaphat also chose some Levites, some priests, and some of the family leaders, and he appointed them to serve as judges in Jerusalem.
Complete Jewish Bible
In Yerushalayim Y'hoshafat appointed some of the L'vi'im, cohanim and clan heads of Isra'el to judge in matters concerning Adonai and in civil cases. After they had returned to Yerushalayim,
Darby Translation
—And moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set some of the Levites and priests, and of the chief fathers of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah and for causes.—And they returned to Jerusalem.
Easy-to-Read Version
In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat chose some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the families of Israel to be judges. These men lived in Jerusalem and used the law of the Lord to settle problems among the people.
George Lamsa Translation
Moreover in Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed men of the Levites and of the priests and of the chiefs of the fathers of the children of Israel for the judgment of the LORD; then he returned to Jerusalem.
Good News Translation
In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites, priests, and some of the leading citizens as judges in cases involving a violation of the Law of the Lord or legal disputes between inhabitants of the city.
Lexham English Bible
Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites and the priests and heads of the families of Israel as judges and to decide legal disputes for Yahweh. And they sat in Jerusalem.
Literal Translation
And also in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat caused to stand from the Levites and from the priests, and from the heads of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for strife; and they returned to Jerusalem.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And at Ierusalem dyd Iosaphat ordeyne certayne of the Leuites and prestes, and of the awnciet fathers of Israel for ye iudgment of the LORDE, and ouer the matter of the lawe, and caused them to dwell at Ierusalem,
American Standard Version
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers' houses of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem.
Bible in Basic English
Then in Jerusalem he gave authority to certain of the Levites and the priests and the heads of families of Israel to give decisions for the Lord, and in the causes of those living in Jerusalem.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Moreouer, in Hierusalem did Iehosaphat set of the Leuites, & of the priestes, and of the auncient fathers, ouer Israel in the iudgement and cause of the Lord: And they returned againe to Hierusale.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers' houses of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem.
King James Version (1611)
Moreouer in Ierusalem did Iehoshaphat set of the Leuites, and of the Priests, and of the chiefe of the fathers of Israel, for the iudgement of the Lord, and for controuersies, when they returned to Ierusalem.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Moreover Josaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the priests, and Levites, and heads of houses of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and to judge the dwellers in Jerusalem.
English Revised Version
Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ [houses] of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Also in Jerusalem Josaphat ordeynede dekenes, and preestis, and the princes of meynees of Israel, that thei schulden deme the doom and cause of the Lord to the dwellers of it.
Update Bible Version
Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers' [houses] of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for the controversies of the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Webster's Bible Translation
Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and [of] the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
New King James Version
Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the Lord and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem. [fn]
New Living Translation
In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges for cases involving the Lord 's regulations and for civil disputes.
New Life Bible
In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat chose some of the Levites and religious leaders, and heads of families of Israel. He chose them to judge for the Lord, and to judge the troubles among the people of Jerusalem.
New Revised Standard
Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, even in Jerusalem, did Jehoshaphat station some of the Levites and the priests, and of the ancestral chiefs of Israel, to pronounce the just sentence of Yahweh, and to settle disputes, - when they returned to Jerusalem.
Revised Standard Version
Moreover in Jerusalem Jehosh'aphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the LORD and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem.
Young's Literal Translation
And also in Jerusalem hath Jehoshaphat appointed of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the heads of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for strife; and they turn back to Jerusalem,
THE MESSAGE
In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat also appointed Levites, priests, and family heads to decide on matters that had to do with worship and mediating local differences. He charged them: "Do your work in the fear of God ; be dependable and honest in your duties. When a case comes before you involving any of your fellow citizens, whether it seems large (like murder) or small (like matters of interpretation of the law), you are responsible for warning them that they are dealing with God . Make that explicit, otherwise both you and they are going to be dealing with God 's wrath. Do your work well or you'll end up being as guilty as they are.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
In Jerusalem also Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the heads of the fathers' households of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD and to judge disputes among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Contextual Overview

5 And he set judges of the land in all the fenced cities of Juda, in every place. 6 And charging the judges, he said: Take heed what you do: for you exercise not the judgment of man, but of the Lord: and whatsoever you judge, it shall redound to you. 7 Let the fear of the Lord be with you, and do all things with diligence: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor desire of gifts. 8 In Jerusalem also Josaphat appointed Levites, and priests and chiefs of the families of Israel, to judge the judgment and the cause of the Lord for the inhabitants thereof. 9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall you do in the fear of the Lord faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10 Every cause that shall come to you of your brethren, that dwell in their cities, between kindred and kindred, wheresoever there is question concerning the law, the commandment, the ceremonies, the justifications: shew it them, that they may not sin against the Lord, and that wrath may not come upon you and your brethren: and so doing you shall not sin. 11 And Amarias the priest your high priest shall be chief in the things which regard God: and Zabadias the son of Ismahel, who is ruler in the house of Juda, shall be over those matters which belong to the king’s office: and you have before you the Levites for masters, take courage and do diligently, and the Lord will be with you in good things.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Levites: 2 Chronicles 17:8, Deuteronomy 17:8-13, 1 Chronicles 23:4, 1 Chronicles 26:29

the judgment: Exodus 18:19-26, Deuteronomy 21:5, Deuteronomy 25:1

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 19:5 - General 2 Chronicles 19:11 - all matters Ezra 7:25 - set magistrates Psalms 122:5 - there Ezekiel 44:24 - in controversy

Cross-References

Genesis 18:5
And I will set a morsel of bread, and strengthen ye your heart, afterwards you shall pass on: for therefore are you come aside to your servant. And they said: Do as thou hast spoken.
Genesis 19:31
And the elder said to the younger: Our father is old, and there is no man left on the earth, to come in unto us after the manner of the whole earth.
Genesis 19:38
The younger also bore a son, and she called his name Ammon; that is, the son of my people: he is the father of the Ammonites unto this day.
Genesis 42:37
And Ruben answered him: Kill my two sons, if I bring him not again to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will restore him to thee.
Exodus 32:22
And he answered him: Let not my lord be offended; for thou knowest this people, that they are prone to evil.
Judges 9:15
And it answered them: If, indeed, you mean to make me king, come ye, and rest under my shadow: but if you mean it not, let fire come out from the bramble, and devour the cedars of Libanus.
Judges 19:24
I have a maiden daughter, and this man hath a concubine, I will bring them out to you, and you may humble them, and satisfy your lust: only, I beseech you, commit not this crime against nature on the man.
Isaiah 58:7
Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harbourless into thy house: when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh.
Mark 9:6
(9-5) For he knew not what he said: for they were struck with fear.
Romans 3:8
And not rather (as we are slandered and as some affirm that we say) let us do evil that there may come good? Whose damnation is just.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Moreover, in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel,.... This was the great court of judicature, consisting of princes, priests, and Levites, of ecclesiastics and political persons; for causes of both sorts were brought thither:

for the judgment of the Lord; in things sacred, which related to the worship of God, and the support of it:

and for controversies; of a civil kind between man and man, whether pecuniary or capital, of a more private or public kind:

when they returned to Jerusalem; that is, this court was set up at Jerusalem, when Jehoshaphat, the priests, Levites, and chief men that went with him, returned thither.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The “fathers of Israel” are the heads of families; the chief of the fathers” are the great patriarchal chiefs, the admitted heads of great houses or clans. They were now admitted to share in the judicial office which seems in David’s time to have been confined to the Levites 1 Chronicles 23:4.

For the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies - By the former are meant disputed cases concerning the performance of religious obligations. In “controversies” are included all the ordinary causes, whether criminal or civil.

When they returned to Jerusalem - Rather, “and they returned to Jerusalem,” a clause which if detached from the previous words and attached to 2 Chronicles 19:9, gives a satisfactory sense.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Chronicles 19:8. And for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. — Who were they that returned to Jerusalem? Some suppose that it means Jehoshaphat and his courtiers, who returned to Jerusalem after the expedition mentioned 2 Chronicles 19:4: but if this were so, or if the text spoke of any person returning to Jerusalem, would not לירושלם lirushalem, TO Jerusalem, and not the simple word ירושלם Yerushalem, without the preposition, be used?

Learned men have supposed, with great plausibility, that the word וישבו vaiyashubu, "and they returned," should be written יושבי yoshebey, "the inhabitants," and that the words should be read, And for the controversies of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. That this was the original reading is very probable from its vestiges in the Vulgate, habitatoribus ejus, "its INHABITANTS;" and in the Septuagint it is found totidem verbis, Και κρινειν τους κατοικουντας εν Ἱερουσαλημ, And to judge the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

There is a clause in 2 Chronicles 34:9 where we have a similar mistake in our version: And they returned to Jerusalem, where the false keri, or marginal note, directs it, in opposition to common sense and ALL the versions, to be read and they returned, which our translation has unhappily followed.


 
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