Definition: And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, [were] overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 31:13. It's a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage about a group of people who were overseeing a powerful, ancient kingdom. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a group of people – let’s call them “Overseers” – who were tasked with managing a very important and influential kingdom that existed long before the time of King Hezekiah. They were essentially acting as a kind of royal administration and security force. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth…” : These are names of individuals who held positions of authority within this kingdom. They were leaders and officials. “…under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother…” : This is key! It means they were working for a powerful figure named Cononiah, who was likely a king or ruler. Shimei was his brother. So, they were under the direction and control of this larger power. “…at the commandment of Hezekiah the king…” : This tells us that Hezekiah, the King of Judah, gave them a specific task – to oversee this kingdom. “Azariah the ruler of the house of God.” : This is a really important detail. Azariah was a high-ranking official within the kingdom itself. He was essentially the head or controller of the entire organization. So, what's the big deal? The verse suggests that this ancient kingdom was incredibly powerful and influential. It’s not just a small, local kingdom; it’s a significant presence in the region. The "Overseers" were responsible for maintaining order, protecting the kingdom, and ensuring its prosperity. Important Note: This is all very old! It's written long ago (around the 9th century BC) and we don't know exactly what this kingdom was or why it existed. It’s a historical record of a powerful past. In short, this verse describes a group of people who were responsible for managing a significant and influential kingdom in ancient times. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Connect it to other Bible stories or historical figures?