2 Chronicles 34:12

2Ch 34:12 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.

Ver. 12. The men did the work faithfully.] As in the presence of God: to whom if men would but do eye-service, it were well: but a faithful servant is a rare bird.

All that could skill of instruments of music.] This was then a great praise; and haply they used their skill in the hearing of the workmen, to cheer them up: as Amphion did those that built the walls of Thebes; the poets feign, that by his sweet music he drew together the stones of those walls. Alexander Aphrodisaeus gives this reason, why porters go singing under their burdens: because their minds being delighted with the sweetness of their music, the body may feel the less weight under the burden. {a}

{a} Probl. 1, Num 78.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ch 34:12. All that could skill of instruments of music — All these, here named, were skilful in instruments of music — Which may be here mentioned, to intimate, that as they were skilful, so they were exercised in both employments, and did successively oversee the work, and praise God with their voices and instruments.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

34:12-13 That musicians supervised the construction shows how important it was for Levites to be in charge of this work. Other ancient texts note that music was a common element of construction projects.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Meaning, that they were in such credit for their fidelity, that they made none accounts of that which they received, 2 Kings 22:7, 9.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 12. All that could skill of instruments of music] Did the musicians play on their several instruments to encourage and enliven the workmen? Is not this a probable case from their mention here? If this were really the case, instrumental music was never better applied in any thing that refers to the worship of God. It is fabled of Orpheus, a most celebrated musician, that such was the enchanting harmony of his lyre, that he built the city of Thebes by it: the stones and timbers danced to his melody; and by the power of his harmony rose up, and took their respective places in the different parts of the wall that was to defend the city! This is fable; but as all fable is a representation of truth, where is the truth and fact to which this refers? How long has this question lain unanswered! But have we not the answer now? It is known in general, that the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii were overwhelmed by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, about the seventy-ninth year of the Christian era. It is also known that, in sinking for wells, the workmen of the king of Naples lighted on houses, c., of those overwhelmed cities that excavations have been carried on, and are now in the act of being carried on, which are bringing daily to view various utensils, pictures, and books, which have escaped the influence of the burning lava; and that some of those parchment volumes have been unrolled, and facsimiles of them engraved and published; and that our late Prince Regent, afterwards George IV., king of Great Britain, expended considerable sums of money annually in searching for, unrolling, and deciphering those rolls. This I record to his great credit as the lover of science and literature. Now, among the books that have been unrolled and published, is a Greek Treatise on Music, by Philodemus; and here we have the truth represented which lay hidden under the fables of Orpheus and Amphion. This latter was a skilful harper, who was frequently employed by the Theban workmen to play to them while engaged in their labour, and for which they rewarded him out of the proceeds of that labor. So powerful and pleasing was his music, that they went lightly and comfortably through their work; and time and labour passed on without tedium or fatigue; and the walls and towers were speedily raised. This, by a metaphor, was attributed to the dulcet sounds of his harp; and poetry seized on and embellished it, and mythology incorporated it with her fabulous system. Orpheus is the same. By his skill in music he drew stones and trees after him, i.e., he presided over and encouraged the workmen by his skill in music. Yet how simple and natural is the representation given by this ancient Greek writer of such matters! See Philodemus, Col. viii. and ix. Orpheus, and Amphion, by their music, moved the workmen to diligence and activity, and lessened and alleviated their toil. May we not suppose, then, that skilful musicians among the Levites did exercise their art among the workmen who were employed in the repairs of the house of the Lord? May I be allowed a gentle transition? Is it not the power and harmony of the grace of Jesus Christ in the Gospel, that convert, change, and purify the souls of men, and prepare them for and place them in that part of the house of God, the New Jerusalem? A most beautiful and chaste allusion to this fact and fable is made by an eminent poet, while praying for his own success as a Christian minister, who uses all his skill as a poet and musician for the glory of God: -

Thy own musician, Lord, inspire,

And may my consecrated lyre

Repeat the psalmist's part!

His Son and thine reveal in me,

And fill with sacred melody

The fibres of my heart.

So shall I charm the listening throng,

And draw the LIVING STONES along

By Jesus' tuneful name.

The living stones shall dance, shall rise,

And FORM a CITY in the skies,

The New Jerusalem.

CHARLES WESLEY.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(12) And the men did the work faithfully.—Literally, And the men were working (or dealing) in good faith in the work. In 2Ki_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. 1Ch_23:4.)

And other . . . music.—Literally, and the Levites, to wit, every one skilled in the instruments of song. (Comp. 1Ch_15:16; 1Ch_25:7.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

12. the overseers] There is no parallel in 2 Kin. for the rest of this verse and for 2Ch_34:13.

to set it forward] The same Heb. word is used in 1Ch_23:4.

could skill] “Skill” is used as a verb also in 2Ch_2:7-8. skill of instruments = “play skilfully upon instruments.”

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Also they were over the bearers of burdens,.... Who carried the timber and stones to the workmen, to look after them, that they were not dilatory, and that the workmen might not stand still for want of materials being brought to them to work with:

and were overseers over all that wrought in any manner of service; whether in the way of masonry, or in that of carpenters, or of such that served them, or in whatsoever way:

and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters; some to take the account of the money carried in and paid, who were the

scribes, according to Jarchi; and others who looked after the men, and kept them to work, who were the

officers; and others that let them in and out, called

porters.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Of music is expressed in Heb. and Sept. H. --- These Levites were chosen, because they were not so constantly employed in the temple, (C.) and they were not hired barely to inspect the works, and hence the expense was diminished.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Or, all these here named were skilful in instruments of music; which may be here mentioned, either to their commendation, that they were fit for and careful and diligent in this employment, wherewith they were now intrusted, no less than in their own proper work; or to intimate, that as they were skilful, so they were exercised in both their employments, and did successively oversee the work, and praised God with their voices and instruments for his gracious and powerful help in carrying on the work.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

12. All that could skill of instruments — The word skill in the sense here intended is obsolete; we should render, all that were skilled in instruments of music.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Faithfully, Refer back to note, Xnl 2Ch_31:12. To set forward; Hebrew, h 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.

Faithful work.

the men did the work faithfully." It became a godly King of Judah to do anything and everything that was required for the strength and beauty of the temple. For in that sacred edifice centred the religious life of the nation, and there God manifested himself as nowhere else. With us religious thought and spiritual earnestness are not thus localized; and though, after the manner as well as in the spirit of Josiah, we may concern ourselves much with the erection or the repair of some "house of the Lord," yet Christian zeal now shows itself in a hundred ways; it branches and bears fruit in all directions. There is, however, a sense in which it is all building. We who are at work for our Lord and for our neighbour are building up the kingdom of Christ, and, at the same time, are building up a peaceful, happy, holy community. It is probable that we have all undertaken some specific work of this kind, some ministry; that we have committed ourselves to some office which makes certain demands on our intelligence, our strength, our time. That being so, it is well that we realize the importance of "doing the work faithfully" which we have in hand.

I WHAT CONSTITUTES FAITHFULNESS. TO be faithful is clearly a very different thing from being successful. Some men are successful, as men count success, who are not faithful in the sight of God; others are faithful who are not "successful." To be faithful is to act with rightful, earnest, patient effort in the sphere in which our Lord has placed us.

1. Doing our work honestly, fairly, conscientiously, keeping in view therevealed will of God and the claims of men. (see 2Ti_2:5)

2. Acting with earnestness; not languidly and listlessly, but devotedly andenergetically.

3. With patient, persevering effort; not daunted by the first nor by thefiftieth difficulty that presents itself, not silenced by clamour, not forsaking the path of holy service because prosperity seems long in coming; but calmly, patiently, thoroughly proceeding with and completing our work; holding on and bearing up until we can say, thankfully and reverently, "It is finished.

II WHAT INDUCEMENTS WE HAVE TO BE FAITHFUL IN OUR WORK.

1. Our Lord requires it. "It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful". (1Co_4:2) "Be thou faithful unto death," says the ascended Lord with commanding voice. There were "overseers," our text says, to "set forward" the work in which these artificers were engaged. We have one great Divine Overseer, who is ever looking on and taking account, desiring of us that we "do the work faithfully," and it behoves us to do everything we undertake, both that which does and that which does not directly belong to the affairs of his kingdom, "as ever in the great Taskmaster"s eye.

2. By so doing we take rank with the best of the sons of men. Of Moses we read that "he was faithful in all his house". (Heb_3:2) He did not seem to be remarkably successful; probably in the eyes of his contemporaries he appeared positively unsuccessful. But when he lay down to die on Nebo he could feel that he had done his work faithfully. And thus with Paul. And so with the best and worthiest of our race. To be faithful in our work is to stand with the best of men.

3. Thus only can we secure the approval of our own conscience. But thus we shall; and how great a victory it will be to be able to feel as Paul felt when his course was run, "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith"!

4. We shall receive a large reward. If we arc but faithful in a few things here, we shall be rulers over many things hereafter. (Mat_25:21) If faithful unto death, Christ will give us a crown of life". (Rev_2:10) Life in all its glorious fulness, in all its perfect blessedness, will be ours for ever. C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Musick - All these here named, were skilful in instruments of musick. Which may be here mentioned, to intimate, that as they were skilful, so they were exercised in both employments, and did successively oversee the work, and praise God with their voices and instruments.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

Jahath ... Meshullam

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

Merari

Translate this man's name as you did in 2 Chronicles 29:12. (See: How to Translate Names)

Kohathites

Translate the name of the clan as you did in 2 Chronicles 20:19. (See: How to Translate Names)

Obadiah ... Zechariah

Translate these men's names the same as you did for other men by the same names in 2 Chronicles 17:7. (See: How to Translate Names)

These Levites were in charge of those who carried building material and all other men who worked in any way

This means that they were in charge of all the men who did any type of building work. AT: "These Levites were in charge of all of the men who did any kind of building work" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

translationWords

faithful

son

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

to direct - Heb. לְנַצּחַ, lemestriyer, to direct, supervise, and so (Ezra 3:8): “to direct (לְנַצּחַ) the work of the House of the Lord,” and likewise (above 2:17): “and six hundred overseers (מְנַצּחִים).”

and the Levites, all who were expert - Heb. מֵבִין. The term expertise (הֲבָנָה) is universally mentioned regarding song, and so above (I Chron. 25:8), when they cast lots, it is written: “like the small one so the great one, expert (מֵבִין) with pupil.” And likewise, (ibid. verse 7): “trained in song to the Lord: every expert (מֵבִין),” and it is written (ibid. 15:22): “And Chananiah, the leader of the Levites, etc., because he was an expert (מֵבִין),” and he was appointed over them to chastise [them] in raising [the voice], how they should raise [their voice], because he was an expert (מֵבִין).

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.