2 Chronicles 34:12

Authorized King James 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 musick.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָֽאֲנָשִׁים֩
H582
And the men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#2
עֹשִׂ֨ים
H6213
did
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#3
בֶּֽאֱמוּנָ֜ה
H530
faithfully
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
#4
בַּמְּלָאכָ֗ה
H4399
the work
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#5
וַֽעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם׀
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
מֻ֠פְקָדִים
H6485
to set it forward
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#7
יַ֣חַת
H3189
of them were Jahath
jachath, the name of four israelites
#8
וְעֹֽבַדְיָ֤הוּ
H5662
and Obadiah
obadjah, the name of thirteen israelites
#9
וְהַ֨לְוִיִּ֔ם
H3881
and other of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#10
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#11
בְּנֵ֥י
H1121
of the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#12
מְרָרִ֔י
H4847
of Merari
merari, an israelite
#13
וּזְכַרְיָ֧ה
H2148
and Zechariah
zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine israelites
#14
וּמְשֻׁלָּ֛ם
H4918
and Meshullam
meshullam, the name of seventeen israelites
#15
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#16
בְּנֵ֥י
H1121
of the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#17
הַקְּהָתִ֖ים
H6956
of the sons of the Kohathites
a kohathite (collectively) or descendants of kehath
#18
לְנַצֵּ֑חַ
H5329
and the overseers
properly, to glitter from afar, i.e., to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the temple services and its music); to be permanent
#19
וְהַ֨לְוִיִּ֔ם
H3881
and other of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#20
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#21
מֵבִ֖ין
H995
all that could skill
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
#22
בִּכְלֵי
H3627
of instruments
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#23
שִֽׁיר׃
H7892
of musick
a song; abstractly, singing

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing faith central to epistemology and the means by which humans receive divine revelation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood faith. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection