Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 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 music.
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.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the men did that work faithfully,…. The labouring men, as also their inspectors, see 2Ki 22:7
and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; the third son of Levi:
and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites; who had their name from Kohath, the second son of Levi:
to set it forward; to urge and animate the men to their work, to keep them constant to it, and see that they did it well:
and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of music; these, when they were not employed in singing in the temple, attended this service, to look after the workmen at the repairs of it; and perhaps they might play, as some think, on their instruments of music, while the men were at work, that they might go on in it the more pleasantly and cheerfully.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(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.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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.
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. a Probl. 1, Num 78.
all that could skill = all that had understanding, or ability.
a Disturbing Discovery
2Ch 34:12-21
The finding of the roll of the Law was a very significant incident. That it should have become so rare-apparently this was the only copy extant-was doubtless due to the destructive and desecrating efforts of Manasseh and other kings. Some pious hand had concealed it from the search of the inquisitors, and the secret had never been divulged. It is small wonder that the kings heart misgave him when he compared the divine ideal with the actual condition of things in Judah and Jerusalem. Here is an illustration of the way in which conscience may awake to the demands of God, which have long been buried amid the drift and rubbish of our lives, ignored and disobeyed. One day this neglect is brought suddenly and sadly home to us, and we cry out in an agony of conviction.
Let us read Gods Word carefully and reverently, until we come on something which accuses us, and then stop to listen. We must submit ourselves to its scrutiny. We must allow it to divide between soul and spirit. We must enthrottle it, at whatever cost, as the critic of our lives. We must follow its leadings wherever it points the way.
faithfully: 2Ch 31:12, 2Ki 12:15, 2Ki 22:7, Neh 7:2, Pro 28:20, 1Co 4:2
all: 1Ch 6:31-48, 1Ch 15:16-22, 1Ch 16:4, 1Ch 16:5, 1Ch 16:41, 1Ch 23:5, 1Ch 25:1-31
skill: The verb skill is now obsolete: the meaning is, “every one who is skilful, maiveen, on instruments of music.
Reciprocal: Gen 41:34 – officers Psa 33:3 – play
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.
34:12 And the men did the work {g} 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.
(g) Meaning that they were in such credit for their fidelity that they made no accounts of that which they received, 2Ki 22:7; 2Ki 22:9.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes