Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to Yahweh’s law. As soon as the commandment went out, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the increase of the field; and they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly. The children of Israel and Judah, who lived in the cities of Judah, also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to Yahweh their God, and laid them in heaps.
In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed Yahweh and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps. Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since people began to bring the offerings into Yahweh’s house, we have eaten and had enough, and have plenty left over, for Yahweh has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”
Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in Yahweh’s house, and they prepared them. They brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was ruler over them, and Shimei his brother was second. Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of God’s house. Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper at the east gate, was over the free will offerings of God, to distribute Yahweh’s offerings and the most holy things. Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, to the great as well as to the small; in addition to those who were listed by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even everyone who entered into Yahweh’s house, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their divisions; and those who were listed by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their divisions; and those who were listed by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation; for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness. Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, who were in the fields of the pasture lands of their cities, in every city, there were men who were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all who were listed by genealogy among the Levites.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 18 That their minds might not be entangled with provision…
That their minds might not be entangled with provision of worldly things, but that they might wholly and cheerfully serve the Lord.
The tithes and first fruits for the maintenance of the Priests and Levites.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 2Ch 31:4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt…
2Ch 31:4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
Ver. 4. That they might be encouraged.] That having των αναγκαιων χωρηγιαν, as Chrysostom hath it, a liberal subsistence, they might serve the Lord without distraction, and with much alacrity: for
Read full note →
“ Pluribus intentus minor est ad singula sensus. ”
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 i.e. Freed from worldly cares and distractions, and enabled…
i.e. Freed from worldly cares and distractions, and enabled to give up themselves entirely to the serious study of God’s law, in which many of them were ignorant, and to the instruction, and direction, and quickening of the people in their several duties.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v11 Here we have,
Here we have,
I. Two particular instances of the care of Hezekiah concerning church matters, having put them into good order, to keep them so. The tithes and other holy things being brought in, he provided, 1. That they should be carefully laid up, and not left exposed in loose heaps, liable to be wasted and embezzled. He ordered chambers to be made ready in some of the courts of the temple for store-chambers (Ch2 31:11), and into them the offerings were brought and there kept under lock and key, Ch2 31:12, Ch2 31:13. Treasures or store-keepers were appointed, who had the oversight of them, to see that moth and rust did not corrupt them nor thieves break through to steal. This wisdom of laying up the surplus in days of plenty we may learn from the ant, who provideth meat in summer. The laying up in store what was brought in was an encouragement to people to pay in their contributions. That will be given cheerfully by the public which appears to be well husbanded. 2. That they should be faithfully laid out, according to the uses they were intended for. Church treasures are not to be hoarded any longer than till there is occasion for them, lest even the rust should be a witness against those who hoard them. Officers were appointed, men (no doubt) of approved wisdom and faithfulness, to distribute the oblations of the Lord and the most holy things among the priests (Ch2 31:14), and to see that they all had a competent maintenance for themselves and their families. The law provided sufficient for them all, and therefore, if some had too little, it must be because others had too much; to prevent such inequality these officers were to go by some certain rule of proportion in the disposal of the incomes of the temple. It is said of the priests here (Ch2 31:18) that in their set office they sanctified themselves; in faith they sanctified themselves (so the word is), that is, as bishop Patrick explains it, they attended their ministry at the house of God, not doubting but they should be provided with all things necessary. Now, because they served God in that confidence, care was taken that they should not be made ashamed of their hope. Note, Those that sanctify themselves to God and his service in faith, believing that he will see them want for nothing that is good for them, shall certainly be fed. Out of the offerings of the Lord distribution was made, (1.) To the priests in the cities (Ch2 31:15), who staid at home while their brethren went to Jerusalem, and did good there in teaching the good knowledge of the Lord. The preaching priests were maintained as well as the sacrificing priests, and those that abode by the stuff as well as those that warred the warfare. (2.) To those that entered into the house of the Lord, all the males from three years old and upwards; for the male children even at that tender age, it seems, were allowed to come into the temple with their parents, and shared with them in this distribution, Ch2 31:16. (3.) Even the Levites from twenty years old and upwards had their share, Ch2 31:17. (4.) The wives and children of the priests and Levites had a comfortable maintenance out of those offerings, Ch2 31:18. In maintaining ministers, regard must be had to their families, that not they only, but theirs, may have food convenient. In some countries where ministers have their salary paid them by the state an addition is made to it upon the birth of a child. (5.) The priests in the country, that lived in the fields of the suburbs, were not overlooked in this ministration, Ch2 31:19. Those also had their share who were inhabitants of the villages, though they might be supposed to live at a less expense.
Read full note →
II. A general character of Hezekiah's services for the support of religion, Ch2 31:20, Ch2 31:21. 1. His pious zeal reached to all the parts of his kingdom: Thus he did throughout all Judah; every part of the country, and not those only that lay next him, shared in the good fruits of his government. 2. He sincerely designed to please God, and approved himself to him in all he did: He wrought that which was good before the Lord his God; all his care was to do that which should be accepted of God, which was right (that is, agreeable to natural equity), and truth (that is, agreeable to divine revelation and his covenant with God), before the Lord; to do according to that law which is holy, just, and good. 3. What he began he went through with, prosecuted it with vigour, and did it with all his heart. 4. All his good intentions were brought to a good issue; whatever he did in the service of the house of God, and in the government of his kingdom, he prospered in it. Note, What is undertaken with a sincere regard to the glory of God will succeed to our own honour and comfort at last.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv4–19 Moreover, he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem…
Moreover, he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites,.... What was assigned unto them by the law of God by tithes, firstfruits, &c.
that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord; in the study of it; that they might gain greater knowledge of it themselves, and be better able to instruct the people, which of late had been much neglected; and that they might be more at leisure for such service, and be free from all worldly business, care, and distraction of mind, was the design of this edict.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 18 Encouraged - Freed them from worldly cares and distractions,…
Encouraged - Freed them from worldly cares and distractions, and enabled to give up themselves entirely to the serious study of God's law, and to the instruction, and direction, and quickening of the people.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv5, 7, 11, 12, 15, 17 Verse 5. Brought - the first-fruits] These were principally…
Verse 5. Brought - the first-fruits] These were principally for the maintenance of the priests and Levites; they brought tithes of all the produce of the field, whether commanded or not, as we see in the instance of honey, which was not to be offered to the Lord, Le 2:11, yet it appears it might be offered to the priests as first-fruits, or in the way of tithes.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19 2Ch 31:4. That they might be encouraged in the…
2Ch 31:4. That they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord — Freed from worldly cares and distractions, and enabled to give up themselves entirely to the serious study of God’s law, and to the instruction, and direction, and quickening of the people.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 That they might be encouraged ... - i. e.…
That they might be encouraged ... - i. e. to devote themselves wholly to their proper work, the service of the sanctuary and the teaching of God’s Law 2Ch 17:7-9, and not engage in secular occupations. Compare Neh 13:10-14.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19 Portion. Literally, "parts," (H.) first-fruits and tithes. M. ---…
Portion. Literally, "parts," (H.) first-fruits and tithes. M. --- Lord, without being taken off by worldly cares. It would be well if Christian princes would make an adequate provision for the ministers of religion: (v. 16.; T.) as the law of nature dictates, that those who serve the public should be supported by it. D.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv6, 9, 10, 11, 18 and laid them by heaps--The contributions began to be…
and laid them by heaps--The contributions began to be sent in shortly after the celebration of the passover, which had taken place in the middle of the second month. Some time would elapse before the king's order reached all parts of the kingdom. The wheat harvest occurred in the third month, so that the sheaves of that grain, being presented before any other, formed "the foundation," an under-layer in the corn stores of the temple. The first-fruits of their land produce which were successively sent in all the summer till the close of the fruit and vintage season, that is, the seventh month, continued to raise heap upon heap.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv4, 6, 7, 11, 14, 15, 16 4. The portion of the priests and the Levites…
4. The portion of the priests and the Levites — That which was secured to them by the provisions of the law. Num_18:9-24.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 4. be encouraged in] R.V. give themselves to. Cp.…
4. be encouraged in] R.V. give themselves to. Cp. Neh_13:10-13.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 (4) Moreover.—Literally, And he said to the people, to…
(4) Moreover.—Literally, And he said to the people, to wit, to the dwellers in Jerusalem. (Comp. 2Ch_24:8; 1Ch_21:17.)
The portion of the priests and the Levites.—The firstfruits and tithes, ordained in Exo_23:19; Lev_27:30-33; Num_18:12; Num_18:20-24; Deufc. 26
Read full note →
That they might be encouraged in the law.—Rather, that they might stick fast unto the law. For this use of châdzaq, comp. 2Sa_18:9, “his head stuck fast in the terebinth.” The meaning is, that they might be enabled to devote themselves wholly and solely to their religious duties, without being distracted by any secular anxieties. (See Neh_13:10, “And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given, for the Levites and the singers that did the work were fled every one to his field.”)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 He commanded to give the portion of the priests…
He commanded to give the portion of the priests that they might be encouraged. Hezekiah"s object was to send impulses of energy through the whole nation. The portions here spoken of are described originally in Exo_23:19; Num_18:11-27; Deu_14:22, Deu_14:23. After our word "encouraged," we may probably supply the words "to teach;" for see our ell 17:9.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v7 third month i.e. June.
third month i.e. June.
seventh month i.e. October.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v11 The Tithes And The Dedicated Things
The Tithes And The Dedicated Things
v. 11. Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers, special rooms for storage, in the house of the Lord; either the old ones were repaired or additional ones were built. And they prepared them,
Read full note →
v. 12. and brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully, with conscientious care; over which Cononiah, the Levite, was ruler, and Shimei, his brother, was the next, these two men having charge of all the stores as deposited in the Temple under this arrangement.
v. 13. 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. These two having given the orders, the appointments were made at once.
v. 14. And Kore, the son of Imnah, the Levite, the porter toward the east, where the main entrance of the Temple was, was over the free-will offerings of God, the portion of the peace-offerings belonging to Jehovah, and by Him designated for the use of the priests, to distribute the oblations of the Lord and the most holy things, the part of the sin and trespass-offerings to be eaten by the priests in the Temple.
v. 15. And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, as his assistants, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, rather, "in faithfulness," for they also worked with conscientious application, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small, with absolute fairness to all;
v. 16. beside their genealogy of males, the register of all male children, from three years old and upward, even unto everyone that entereth into the house of the Lord, consecrated to the Temple service, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses; each one who was entitled to it received his share of the income of the Temple;
v. 17. both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, those registered in the genealogical lists, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
v. 18. and to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation, all these being registered in the lists of the tribe of Levi; for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness, that is, in their faithfulness they sanctified themselves in the holy thing, righteously distributing the offerings which they were entitled to receive for that purpose;
v. 19. also of the sons of Aaron, the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, the pasturelands of the priestly cities being assigned to them, Deu 25:19; Num 35:5, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites. All those who were included in the tribe of Levi were provided for in accordance with the precept of Jehovah.
v. 20. And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah and wrought that which was good, of real value, and right, in agreement with the Law, and truth, done in all faithfulness, before the Lord, his God.
v. 21. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the cause of true religion, and in the Law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, while he made it his object to set the kingdom on the old footing in its relation to the covenant God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered. Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv4, 6, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17 As soon as the command was sent out
As soon as the command was sent out
This can stated in active form. AT: "As soon as the people heard the command" (See: Active or Passive)
Read full note →
a tithe of everything
"a tenth of all their crops"
translationWords
command
life
obey
Israel
firstfruits
grain
wine
oil
honey
harvest
tenth
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv6, 10, 14 31:6 The tithes of the animals that piled .…
31:6 The tithes of the animals that piled . . . up in great heaps might refer to the proceeds from the sale of animals rather than the animals themselves. The law permitted the people to exchange the yield of the field for money (Deut 14:24-26) and to consume the meat at their homes (Deut 12:15).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.