2 chronicles 20:14 - Then Yahweh’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly;

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 20:14

What does "2 chronicles 20:14" mean?


This verse, 2 Chronicles 20:14, describes a pivotal moment in the story of King Jehoshaphat's reign. Let's break down what it means:

"Then Yahweh's Spirit came on Jahaziel...": This is the central point. The Spirit of God (referred to here by the divine name Yahweh) supernaturally empowered Jahaziel. This empowerment would enable him to deliver a prophetic message. The Spirit coming upon someone signified divine inspiration and the ability to speak God's word. It's not simply about having a feeling, but about being divinely chosen and equipped to communicate God's will.

"...the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah...": This is a genealogy, tracing Jahaziel's lineage. Such genealogies were common in the Old Testament and served a few purposes:
To establish identity and authority: It clarifies who Jahaziel is within the community.
To highlight his connection to the Levites and Asaph: Being "of the sons of Asaph" is significant. Asaph was a prominent musician and worship leader appointed by King David. This connection suggests that Jahaziel was part of a family with a tradition of serving God through music and worship.

"...the Levite, of the sons of Asaph...": Emphasizes Jahaziel's Levitical lineage. Levites were a tribe of people set aside to serve in the temple, providing music, worship, and other religious duties. Specifically, Jahaziel was from the clan of Asaph, one of the three main groups of Levitical musicians in the temple.

"...in the middle of the assembly;": This highlights the public nature of the event. Jahaziel received this divine inspiration while in the midst of the gathered people, likely including King Jehoshaphat and his army. This public setting emphasizes the importance of the message he is about to deliver and ensures that everyone will hear it.

In summary:

The verse sets the stage for a dramatic intervention by God. It explains that at a time of crisis (as described earlier in the chapter), Jahaziel, a Levite from a line of temple musicians, was filled with the Spirit of God while standing in the presence of the entire assembly. This indicates that God was about to speak directly to the people through Jahaziel, giving them guidance and reassurance during a dangerous situation. He is about to deliver a prophetic word from God.

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