And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.

2 CHRONICLES 20:19KJV
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2 Chronicles 20:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 20:19 mean?

2 Chronicles 20:19 describes how certain Levites, specifically from the families of the Kohathites and Korhites, stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with loud and powerful voices. This verse shows a moment of public worship and celebration led by these particular Levite groups.

The setting is during King Jehoshaphat’s reign, as the people of Judah prepare for a challenging situation involving enemy armies. The Levites, who were responsible for temple worship, take a leading role in encouraging the people by praising God with great energy and volume. This act of praise is both a spiritual response and a way to strengthen the community’s faith before a time of crisis.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 20:19

  • "Levites" (לֵוִי, Leviyy): This term refers to the tribe set apart for religious duties. Here, it highlights their special role in leading worship.
  • "Kohathites" (קְהָתִי, Qehati) and "Korhites" (קָרְחִי, Qorḥi): These are specific clans within the Levites, showing that not all Levites were involved, but particular families with a tradition of leading music and worship.
  • "Praise" (הָלַל, halal): This word means to praise or boast about someone, often with music or loud voices. The root idea is to shine or make something clear, so the Levites are making God’s greatness obvious to everyone.
  • "Loud" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) and "voice" (קוֹל, qol): These words stress that the praise was not quiet or private, but strong and public—meant to be heard by all.

Why 2 Chronicles 20:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that public, enthusiastic worship was a key part of Israel’s response to fear and uncertainty, not just private prayer or quiet faith.
  • The mention of specific Levite families connects this act of praise to a long tradition of temple service, showing continuity and order in Israel’s worship practices.
  • By highlighting the Levites’ leadership, the verse sets the stage for the miraculous events that follow, showing that worship and trust in God come before victory or deliverance.

Where else these words appear

“Korhites” Hebrew H7145 · used in 8 verses

  • Exodus 6:24 And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites.
  • 1 Chronicles 9:19 And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the LORD, were keepers of the entry.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:6 Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,

“Kohathites” Hebrew H6956 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 3:27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
  • Numbers 4:37 These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:33 And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel,

“high” Hebrew H4605 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:8 For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

“praise” Hebrew H1984 · used in 140 verses

  • Genesis 12:15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
  • Psalms 63:11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
  • Psalms 148:3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.