Ben-hail
Ben-hail, a Levite, was sent by Jehoshaphat to teach in Judah.
Biography
Ben-hail was a royal official serving in the court of King Jehoshaphat of Judah during the ninth century BC. His name, meaning "son of strength" or "son of valor," may reflect either his character or his family lineage. He appears in 2 Chronicles 17:7 as one of five officials dispatched by Jehoshaphat in the third year of his reign on a teaching mission throughout the cities of Judah. The delegation included princes, Levites, and priests, traveling with a copy of the Book of the Law to instruct the people in covenant faithfulness. This initiative was part of Jehoshaphat's broader religious reform aimed at turning Judah back to the worship of Yahweh and establishing justice across the land.
Significance
Ben-hail represents the administrative dimension of religious reform in ancient Israel, illustrating that faithfulness to God requires intentional instruction at every level of society. Jehoshaphat's decision to send officials alongside Levites and priests for teaching purposes reflects a holistic view of covenant renewal, one that engaged civic leaders in the work of spiritual formation. Ben-hail's inclusion in this mission demonstrates that public officials can be instruments of divine purpose, and that national fidelity to God's word depends on structured, deliberate education of the citizenry rather than passive inheritance of tradition.
Verse Appearances (1)
2 Chronicles
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]