Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters.

2 CHRONICLES 34:13KJV
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2 Chronicles 34:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 34:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 34:13 describes how the Levites were put in charge of supervising the workers during the temple repairs, including those who carried materials and those who did various kinds of service. The verse also notes that some Levites served as scribes, officers, and gatekeepers.

This verse is part of the account of King Josiah’s reforms, where he ordered the repair of the temple in Jerusalem. The Levites, a tribe set apart for religious duties, were given organizational roles to oversee the work and keep records, showing their trusted position in the community and the complexity of the restoration project.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 34:13

  • "Bearers of burdens" (נֹשְׂאֵי מַשָּׂא, nos'ei massa, H5449) refers to those who physically carried materials, highlighting the practical, hands-on labor needed for the temple repairs.
  • "Overseers" (נָצַב, natsav, H5329) means those who supervised or managed the work, showing there was structured leadership and accountability.
  • "Levites" (לֵוִי, Levi, H3881) were not just religious ministers but also administrators, scribes (סָפֵר, saphar, H5608), officers (שָׁטַר, shatar, H7860), and porters/gatekeepers (שַׁעַר, shaar, H7778), reflecting their broad responsibilities beyond worship.

Why 2 Chronicles 34:13 matters

  • This verse shows the Levites’ roles went beyond spiritual duties; they were trusted with practical leadership and organization during a major national project.
  • The mention of scribes, officers, and porters among the Levites emphasizes the need for record-keeping, order, and security in temple service, not just ritual activities.
  • By highlighting the structure and delegation in Josiah’s reforms, this verse connects to the larger theme of careful, faithful restoration in the surrounding passage.

Where else these words appear

“burdens” Hebrew H5449 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
  • 2 Chronicles 2:2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:18 And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

“officers” Hebrew H7860 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 5:6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
  • Deuteronomy 20:5 And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
  • Joshua 23:2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:

“porters” Hebrew H7778 · used in 37 verses

  • 2 Samuel 18:26 And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
  • Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

“overseers” Hebrew H5329 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • Psalms 31:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
  • Psalms 61:1 To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.