2 Chronicles 19:6

Authorized King James Version

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And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר And said H559
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר And said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
תִּשְׁפְּט֖וּ for ye judge H8199
תִּשְׁפְּט֖וּ for ye judge
Strong's: H8199
Word #: 3 of 16
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
רְאוּ֙ Take heed H7200
רְאוּ֙ Take heed
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 4 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מָֽה H4100
מָֽה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 5 of 16
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אַתֶּ֣ם H859
אַתֶּ֣ם
Strong's: H859
Word #: 6 of 16
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
עֹשִׂ֔ים what ye do H6213
עֹשִׂ֔ים what ye do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֧א H3808
לֹ֧א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְאָדָ֛ם not for man H120
לְאָדָ֛ם not for man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 10 of 16
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
תִּשְׁפְּט֖וּ for ye judge H8199
תִּשְׁפְּט֖וּ for ye judge
Strong's: H8199
Word #: 11 of 16
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 12 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לַֽיהוָ֑ה but for the LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה but for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 13 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְעִמָּכֶ֖ם H5973
וְעִמָּכֶ֖ם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 14 of 16
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
בִּדְבַ֥ר who is with you in the judgment H1697
בִּדְבַ֥ר who is with you in the judgment
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 15 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ H4941
מִשְׁפָּֽט׃
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 16 of 16
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

Analysis & Commentary

Jehoshaphat's charge to judges: 'And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.' This establishes theocratic judicial theology - human judges are God's representatives, exercising delegated authority. The phrase 'judge not for man, but for the LORD' removes human favoritism and accountability to political pressure. 'Who is with you in the judgment' promises divine presence in righteous judging and warns of divine witness to corruption. This anticipates Christ as ultimate judge and Paul's teaching that governing authorities are God's servants (Romans 13:1-4). All authority is delegated and accountable to God.

Historical Context

Jehoshaphat's judicial reforms (c. 872 BCE) decentralized justice while centralizing accountability to God. This system, though imperfect in practice, established biblical principles for government and justice that influenced Western legal traditions.

Questions for Reflection