Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

2 CHRONICLES 17:7KJV
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2 Chronicles 17:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 17:7 mean?

2 Chronicles 17:7 describes how, in the third year of his reign, King Jehoshaphat sent several of his officials to teach in the cities of Judah. This verse highlights the king's effort to spread instruction among his people by sending trusted leaders to different towns.

The setting is the early years of King Jehoshaphat’s rule over Judah. The verse lists the names of the officials he sent—Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethaneel, and Michaiah—showing that these were prominent men trusted with an important task. The focus here is on the king’s commitment to educating the nation, likely about the laws and ways of God, as part of strengthening his kingdom.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 17:7

  • The word "teach" (לָמַד, lamad, H3925) means to instruct or cause to learn. Its use here shows that Jehoshaphat’s officials were not just delivering messages but actively helping people understand and apply what they were being taught.
  • The word "princes" (שַׂרִים, sarim, H8269) refers to high-ranking officials or leaders, not just royal family members. This suggests Jehoshaphat chose influential people with authority to carry out this teaching mission.
  • The word "cities" (עָרִים, arim, H5892) points to the widespread nature of the effort, indicating that the teaching was not limited to Jerusalem but reached throughout Judah.

Why 2 Chronicles 17:7 matters

  • This verse shows that teaching and instruction were central to Jehoshaphat’s reforms, not just military or political changes.
  • It clarifies that the king valued education for all the people, using respected leaders to ensure the message was taken seriously.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the positive spiritual and social changes that follow in Judah during Jehoshaphat’s reign.

Where else these words appear

“Michaiah” Hebrew H4322 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 13:2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.

“Nethaneel” Hebrew H5417 · used in 14 verses

  • Numbers 1:8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
  • Numbers 10:15 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,

“Obadiah” Hebrew H5662 · used in 19 verses

  • 1 Kings 18:3 And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house.(Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
  • 1 Chronicles 3:21 And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:19 Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:

“Zechariah” Hebrew H2148 · used in 43 verses

  • 2 Kings 14:29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.