2 Chronicles / Chapter 31

2 Chronicles 31

21 verses • Westminster Leningrad Codex

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

When all this is finished, all Israel who are present go out to the cities of Judah and smash the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and demolish the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they have destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel return to their cities, each to his own property. Hezekiah establishes the divisions of the priests and the Levites according to their courses — each according to his service — the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister, to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camps of the LORD. The king's contribution from his own possessions is designated for the burnt offerings: the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts, as written in the law of the LORD. He commands the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites so that they may devote themselves to the law of the LORD. As soon as the command is spread, the people of Israel give generously of the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and all the produce of the field. They bring in an abundance of the tithe of everything. The people of Israel and Judah who live in the cities of Judah also bring the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the dedicated things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they lay them in heaps. They begin to pile up the heaps in the third month and finish in the seventh month. When Hezekiah and the leaders come and see the heaps, they bless the LORD and his people Israel. Hezekiah asks the priests and the Levites about the heaps, and Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answers him: 'Since the people began to bring the contributions to the house of the LORD, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed his people, and this great abundance is what is left over.' Hezekiah commands them to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD, and they do so. They faithfully bring in the contributions, the tithes, and the dedicated things. Conaniah the Levite is in charge of them, with Shimei his brother as second. Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah serve as overseers under the direction of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of King Hezekiah and Azariah the chief officer of the house of God. Kore son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the east gate, is over the freewill offerings to God, to distribute the contributions to the LORD and the most holy things. Under him are Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah in the cities of the priests, faithfully distributing to their brothers by divisions, great and small alike — besides those enrolled by genealogy, males three years old and above — to everyone who enters the house of the LORD as the duty of each day requires, for their service according to their divisions. The enrollment of the priests is by their ancestral houses, and the Levites twenty years old and above by their duties in their divisions. They are enrolled with all their dependents — wives, sons, and daughters, the whole assembly — for they faithfully consecrate themselves in holiness. For the sons of Aaron, the priests, in the fields and pasturelands of their cities, in each city there are men designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone enrolled among the Levites. Hezekiah does this throughout all Judah. He does what is good, right, and faithful before the LORD his God. In every work he undertakes in the service of the house of God, in the law, and in the commandments, seeking his God, he acts with all his heart, and he prospers.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

This chapter presents Hezekiah as the ideal reforming king — one who moves from dramatic Temple rededication (chapter 29) and celebratory Passover (chapter 30) to the unglamorous but essential work of institutional organization. The destruction of pagan installations extends beyond Judah into the northern territories of Ephraim and Manasseh, reflecting the Chronicler's conviction that Hezekiah exercises legitimate authority over all Israel. The most striking element is the abundance of tithes: the people give so generously that the contributions pile up in heaps (aremot) from the third month to the seventh — a physical demonstration of covenant blessing. When Hezekiah asks about the heaps, Azariah the chief priest responds with a testimony of divine blessing: 'Since the people began to bring the contributions to the house of the LORD, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed his people.' This surplus echoes the manna provision in Exodus 16 and anticipates the principle of 2 Corinthians 9:8 — God provides abundantly when his people give faithfully. The final verse serves as the Chronicler's summary evaluation: Hezekiah does what is good (tov), right (yashar), and faithful (emet) — the complete triad of covenantal virtue.

Translation Friction

The extension of the reform into Ephraim and Manasseh (verse 1) raises historical questions about the extent of Judah's actual political control over northern territories after the fall of Samaria in 722 BCE. Some scholars argue that this reflects Hezekiah's genuine expansion into power vacuums left by Assyrian deportations; others see it as the Chronicler's theological projection. The administrative details of tithe distribution (verses 11-19) are uniquely Chronicler material with no parallel in 2 Kings, suggesting either access to Temple administrative records or a concern to model ideal institutional practice. The age of three years for enrollment (verse 16) has been variously interpreted — some emending to 'thirty years' based on Numbers 4:3, while the text may intend a different kind of enrollment (registration for food distribution rather than for active service).

Connections

The destruction of high places and Asherah poles (verse 1) connects to earlier reform efforts by Asa (2 Chronicles 14:3) and Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:6), and anticipates Josiah's more thorough purge (2 Chronicles 34). The priestly divisions 'according to their courses' (verse 2) recalls David's organization in 1 Chronicles 24. The tithing abundance echoes Malachi 3:10 — 'Bring the full tithe into the storehouse...and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing.' The phrase 'seeking his God' (lidrosh Elohav, verse 21) is the Chronicler's signature term for authentic relationship with God, used throughout Chronicles as the decisive indicator of a king's faithfulness.

2 Chronicles 31:1

וּכְכַלּ֣וֹת כׇּל־זֹ֗את יָצְא֨וּ כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל הַנִּמְצְאִ֛ים לְעָרֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה וַיְשַׁבְּר֣וּ הַמַּצֵּב֗וֹת וַיְגַדְּעוּ֙ הָאֲשֵׁרִ֔ים וַיְנַתְּצ֤וּ אֶת־הַבָּמוֹת֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּזְבְּחֹ֔ת מִכׇּל־יְהוּדָ֖ה וּבִנְיָמִ֑ן וּבְאֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ וּמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה עַד־לְכַלֵּ֑ה וַיָּשׁ֛וּבוּ כׇּל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אִ֥ישׁ לַאֲחֻזָּתֽוֹ לְעָרֵיהֶֽם׃

When all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and demolished the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned, each to his own property in their cities.

KJV Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The celebration produces action: va-yeshabru ha-matstsevot ('they smashed the pillars'), va-yegadde'u ha-asherim ('they cut down the Asherah poles'), va-yenatsu et ha-bamot ve-et ha-mizbechot ('they demolished the high places and the altars'). The geographic scope is remarkable — mi-kol Yehudah u-Vinyamin u-ve-Efrayim u-Menasheh ('from all Judah and Benjamin and in Ephraim and Manasseh'). The reform extends into northern territory. The phrase ad le-khalleh ('until completely finishing') indicates thoroughness.
2 Chronicles 31:2

וַיַּעֲמֵ֣ד יְחִזְקִיָּ֡הוּ אֶת־מַחְלְק֣וֹת הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְהַלְוִיִּם֩ עַל־מַ֨חְלְקוֹתָ֜ם אִ֣ישׁ ׀ כְּפִ֣י עֲבֹדָת֗וֹ לַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים וְלַלְוִיִּם֙ לְעֹלָ֣ה וְלִשְׁלָמִ֔ים לְשָׁרֵ֤ת וּלְהֹדוֹת֙ וּלְהַלֵּ֔ל בְּשַׁעֲרֵ֖י מַחֲנ֥וֹת יְהוָֽה׃

Hezekiah established the divisions of the priests and the Levites according to their courses, each according to his service — the priests and the Levites for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister, to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camps of the LORD.

KJV And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The restoration of the machlaqot ('divisions, courses') follows David's original organization (1 Chronicles 24). The four functions are listed: le-olah ve-li-shelamim ('for burnt offerings and peace offerings' — the sacrificial dimension), le-sharet ('to minister' — the service dimension), le-hodot ('to give thanks'), u-lehallel ('to praise' — the musical dimension). The phrase be-sha'arei machanot YHWH ('in the gates of the camps of the LORD') is an unusual expression treating the Temple precinct as a military camp — God's encampment among his people.
2 Chronicles 31:3

וּמְנָ֤ת הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ מִן־רְכוּשׁ֔וֹ לָעֹל֖וֹת לְעֹל֣וֹת הַבֹּ֣קֶר וְהָעָ֑רֶב וְהָעֹלוֹת֙ לַשַּׁבָּת֔וֹת וְלֶחֳדָשִׁ֖ים וְלַמּוֹעֲד֑וֹת כַּכָּת֖וּב בְּתוֹרַ֥ת יְהוָֽה׃

The king's contribution from his own possessions was designated for the burnt offerings: the morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts, as written in the law of the LORD.

KJV He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

תּוֹרָה torah
"law" — instruction, teaching, law, direction, guidance, revelation

torah ('law, instruction') — the authoritative standard by which Hezekiah organizes worship. The phrase torat YHWH ('the law/instruction of the LORD') indicates the Mosaic legislation governing sacrificial practice, particularly Numbers 28-29, which prescribes the daily, Sabbath, and festival offerings.

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase menat ha-melekh min rekhusho ('the king's portion from his own property') means Hezekiah personally funds the public sacrificial system from the royal treasury. The daily tamid ('morning and evening burnt offerings'), the Sabbath offerings, the new moon offerings, and the mo'adot ('appointed feasts') — the complete liturgical calendar is restored and royally funded. The phrase ka-katuv be-torat YHWH ('as written in the law/instruction of the LORD') grounds the practice in scriptural authority.
2 Chronicles 31:4

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר לָעָם֙ לְיוֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם לָתֵ֕ת מְנָ֥ת הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם לְמַ֥עַן יֶחֶזְק֖וּ בְּתוֹרַ֥ת יְהוָֽה׃

He commanded the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites so that they could devote themselves to the law of the LORD.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The purpose clause is significant: le-ma'an yechezqu be-torat YHWH ('so that they may be strong/devoted in the law of the LORD'). The verb yechezqu ('they may be strong, they may hold fast') shares the root of Hezekiah's own name. Financial support enables spiritual devotion — when clergy are provided for, they can focus entirely on their calling. This is the practical theology of the tithe: the community supports those who serve God full-time.
2 Chronicles 31:5

וְכִפְרֹ֣ץ הַדָּבָ֗ר הִרְבּ֤וּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ רֵאשִׁ֣ית דָּגָ֗ן תִּיר֤וֹשׁ וְיִצְהָר֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ וְכֹ֖ל תְּבוּאַ֣ת שָׂדֶ֑ה וּמַעְשַׂ֥ר הַכֹּ֛ל לָרֹ֖ב הֵבִֽיאוּ׃

As soon as the command spread, the people of Israel gave generously of the firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and all the produce of the field. They brought in an abundance of the tithe of everything.

KJV And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase u-khifrots ha-davar ('as soon as the word broke out/spread') indicates rapid popular response. The firstfruits include the five staples: dagan ('grain'), tirosh ('new wine'), yitshar ('fresh oil'), devash ('honey'), and kol tevu'at sadeh ('all produce of the field'). The word la-rov ('in abundance, greatly') emphasizes the generosity — the people give lavishly, not grudgingly.
2 Chronicles 31:6

וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל וִ֠יהוּדָ֠ה הַיּוֹשְׁבִ֞ים בְּעָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה גַּם־הֵ֗ם מַעְשַׂ֤ר בָּקָר֙ וָצֹ֔אן וּמַעְשַׂ֤ר קׇדָשִׁים֙ הַמְקֻדָּשִׁ֔ים לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם הֵבִ֕יאוּ וַיִּתְּנ֖וּ עֲרֵמ֥וֹת עֲרֵמֽוֹת׃

The people of Israel and Judah living in the cities of Judah also brought the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things consecrated to the LORD their God, and laid them in heaps upon heaps.

KJV And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase aremot aremot ('heaps upon heaps') is a vivid image of abundance — the tithes are so plentiful they must be stacked in piles. The ma'aser baqar va-tson ('tithe of cattle and sheep') and ma'aser qodashim ha-mequddashim ('tithe of holy things consecrated') represent both agricultural and livestock wealth. The generosity is so great it creates a logistical challenge.
2 Chronicles 31:7

בַּחֹ֙דֶשׁ֙ הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י הֵחֵ֥לּוּ הָעֲרֵמ֖וֹת לִיסּ֑וֹד וּבַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י כִּלּֽוּ׃

They began piling up the heaps in the third month and finished in the seventh month.

KJV In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The third month (Sivan, approximately June) marks the beginning of the wheat harvest; the seventh month (Tishrei, approximately October) marks the end of the agricultural year with the harvest festivals. The four-month accumulation period covers the entire growing season — firstfruits and tithes arrive continuously from early summer through autumn. The verb liyesod ('to lay the foundation, to begin building') treats the heaps like construction projects — they are that large.
2 Chronicles 31:8

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ וְהַשָּׂרִ֔ים וַיִּרְא֖וּ אֶת־הָעֲרֵמ֑וֹת וַיְבָרֲכ֣וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה וְאֵ֖ת עַמּ֥וֹ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

When Hezekiah and the officials arrived and saw the heaps of contributions, they praised the LORD and blessed his people Israel.

KJV And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The royal inspection produces spontaneous worship: va-yevarakhu et YHWH ve-et ammo Yisra'el ('they blessed the LORD and his people Israel'). The king blesses both God (for providing abundance) and the people (for their generosity). The visible heaps of produce are tangible evidence of covenant faithfulness — when the people give, God blesses; when God blesses, the people have more to give.
2 Chronicles 31:9

וַיִּדְרֹ֥שׁ יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ עַל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם עַל־הָעֲרֵמֽוֹת׃

Hezekiah asked the priests and the Levites about the heaps.

KJV Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The verb va-yidrosh ('he inquired') uses the same root as the Chronicler's key term for seeking God. Here, the king investigates the practical matter of the tithe accumulation. His inquiry leads to the chief priest's testimony in the next verse.
2 Chronicles 31:10

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו עֲזַרְיָ֜הוּ הַכֹּהֵ֤ן הָרֹאשׁ֙ לְבֵ֣ית צָד֔וֹק וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מֵהָחֵ֤ל הַתְּרוּמָה֙ לָב֣וֹא בֵית־יְהוָ֔ה אָכ֤וֹל וְשָׂבוֹעַ֙ וְהוֹתֵ֣ר עַד־לָר֔וֹב כִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ בֵּרַ֣ךְ אֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ וְהַנּוֹתָ֖ר אֶת־הֶהָמ֥וֹן הַזֶּֽה׃

Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him, 'Since the people began bringing the contributions into the house of the LORD, we have eaten and had enough and have plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed his people. What is left over is this great abundance.'

KJV And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Azariah's testimony is structured as a three-part progression: akhol ('eating' — sustenance), ve-savoa ('and being satisfied' — sufficiency), ve-hoter ad la-rov ('and having left over in abundance' — surplus). The conclusion — ki YHWH berakh et ammo ('for the LORD has blessed his people') — attributes the abundance to divine blessing. The final phrase — ve-ha-notar et he-hamon ha-zeh ('what is left over is this great multitude/store') — gestures toward the visible heaps. This is the economics of covenant faithfulness: obedient giving produces more than enough.
2 Chronicles 31:11

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְחִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ לְהָכִ֧ין לְשָׁכ֛וֹת בְּבֵ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה וַיָּכִֽינוּ׃

Hezekiah commanded that storerooms be prepared in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them.

KJV Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The abundance requires infrastructure: leshakhot ('storerooms, chambers') must be prepared in the Temple complex to house the tithes and offerings. The verb lehakhin ('to prepare, to establish') indicates orderly planning — the surplus is not left in open-air heaps but properly stored for systematic distribution.
2 Chronicles 31:12

וַיָּבִ֨יאוּ אֶת־הַתְּרוּמָ֧ה וְהַמַּעֲשֵׂ֛ר וְהַקֳּדָשִׁ֖ים בֶּאֱמוּנָ֑ה וַעֲלֵיהֶ֣ם נָגִ֔יד כׇּנַנְיָ֥הוּ הַלֵּוִ֖י וְשִׁמְעִ֥י אָחִ֖יהוּ מִשְׁנֶֽה׃

They faithfully brought in the contributions, the tithes, and the dedicated things. Conaniah the Levite was in charge of them, with Shimei his brother as second.

KJV And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The word be-emunah ('faithfully, with integrity') describes how the contributions are handled — honest stewardship of sacred resources. Conaniah (Conanyahu) the Levite is appointed nagid ('chief, officer') over the operation, with his brother Shimei as mishneh ('second-in-command'). The administrative structure ensures accountability and proper distribution.
2 Chronicles 31:13

וִיחִיאֵ֡ל וַ֠עֲזַזְיָ֠הוּ וְנַ֨חַת וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֜ל וִירִימ֤וֹת וְיוֹזָבָד֙ וֶאֱלִיאֵ֣ל וְיִסְמַכְיָ֔הוּ וּמַ֖חַת וּבְנָיָ֑הוּ פְּקִידִים֙ מִיַּ֗ד כׇּנַנְיָ֙הוּ֙ וְשִׁמְעִ֣י אָחִ֔יו בְּמִפְקַד֙ יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַעֲזַרְיָ֖הוּ נְגִ֥יד בֵּית־הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃

Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah served as overseers under the direction of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of King Hezekiah and Azariah the chief officer of the house of God.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Ten overseers (pequdim) are named — a full administrative team for managing the vast tithe stores. The dual authority — be-mifqad Yechizkiyahu ha-melekh va-Azaryahu negid beit ha-Elohim ('by the appointment of King Hezekiah and Azariah the chief officer of the house of God') — reflects the collaboration of royal and priestly authority in Temple administration.
2 Chronicles 31:14

וְקוֹרֵ֨א בֶן־יִמְנָ֤ה הַלֵּוִי֙ הַשּׁוֹעֵ֣ר לַמִּזְרָ֔חָה עַ֖ל נִדְב֣וֹת הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים לָתֵ֗ת תְּרוּמַ֤ת יְהוָה֙ וְקׇדְשֵׁ֖י הַקֳּדָשִֽׁים׃

Kore son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the east gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings to God, distributing the contributions to the LORD and the most holy things.

KJV And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Kore (Qore') holds the position of sho'er la-mizrachah ('gatekeeper of the east') — the primary entrance to the Temple. He oversees nidvot ha-Elohim ('the freewill offerings of God'), terumat YHWH ('the contributions to the LORD'), and qodshei ha-qodashim ('the most holy things'). The east gate is the most important entrance, and its gatekeeper controls the flow of sacred donations.
2 Chronicles 31:15

וְעַל־יָד֡וֹ עֵ֣דֶן וּ֠מִנְיָמִ֠ן וְיֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּשְׁמַעְיָ֜הוּ אֲמַרְיָ֤הוּ וּשְׁכַנְיָ֙הוּ֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י הַכֹּהֲנִ֔ים בֶּ֣אֱמוּנָ֔ה לָתֵ֥ת לַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם בְּמַחְלְק֑וֹת כַּגָּד֖וֹל כַּקָּטָֽן׃

Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, faithfully distributing to their brothers by divisions, to great and small alike —

KJV And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Six distributors serve in the priestly cities — the Levitical towns scattered throughout Judah where priests and Levites lived when not on Temple duty. The phrase be-emunah ('in faithfulness') again emphasizes honest stewardship. The principle ka-gadol ka-qatan ('to the great as to the small') ensures equitable distribution regardless of rank or status.
2 Chronicles 31:16

מִלְּבַ֞ד הִתְיַחְשָׂ֣ם לִזְכָרִ֗ים מִבֶּ֨ן שָׁלוֹשׁ֙ שָׁנִ֣ים וּלְמַ֔עְלָה לְכׇל־הַבָּא֙ לְבֵית־יְהוָ֔ה לִדְבַר־י֖וֹם בְּיוֹמ֑וֹ לַעֲבוֹדָתָ֥ם בְּמִשְׁמְרוֹתָ֖ם כְּמַחְלְקוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃

besides those enrolled by genealogy, males from three years old and above, to everyone entering the house of the LORD as the daily duty required, for their service according to their divisions.

KJV Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion, for their service in their charges according to their courses;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The enrollment covers zekhariim mi-ben shalosh shanim u-lema'lah ('males from three years old and above') — presumably for food distribution rather than active Temple service (which began at twenty or thirty). The phrase li-dvar yom be-yomo ('for the matter of each day in its day') indicates daily distribution of provisions. The system ensures that every registered priest and Levite receives regular support.
2 Chronicles 31:17

וְאֵ֛ת הִתְיַחֵ֥שׂ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים לְבֵ֣ית אֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם וְהַלְוִיִּ֗ם מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וּלְמַ֔עְלָה בְּמִשְׁמְרוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם בְּמַחְלְקוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃

The enrollment of the priests was by their ancestral houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and above by their duties and divisions.

KJV Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Two enrollment systems run in parallel: the priests registered le-veit avoteihem ('by their ancestral houses'), maintaining the genealogical structure of the priestly families, and the Levites registered from age twenty and above be-mishmeroteihem be-machlaqoteihem ('in their watches and in their divisions'). The age of twenty for Levitical service follows the standard in 1 Chronicles 23:24.
2 Chronicles 31:18

וּלְהִתְיַחֵ֗שׂ בְּכׇל־טַפָּ֛ם נְשֵׁיהֶ֥ם וּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם לְכׇל־קָהָ֕ל כִּ֥י בֶאֱמוּנָתָ֖ם יִתְקַדְּשׁ֥וּ קֹֽדֶשׁ׃

They were enrolled with all their dependents — their wives, sons, and daughters, the whole assembly — for they faithfully consecrated themselves in holiness.

KJV And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The registration includes be-khol tappam ('all their little ones'), neshehem ('their wives'), u-venehem u-venoteihem ('their sons and daughters'). The entire priestly and Levitical family structure is covered by the distribution system. The concluding phrase — ki be-emunatam yitqaddeshu qodesh ('for in their faithfulness they consecrated themselves in holiness') — connects financial support to spiritual purity: the system enables consecrated living.
2 Chronicles 31:19

וְלִבְנֵ֣י אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֲנִ֡ים בִּשְׂדֵ֣י מִגְרַשׁ֩ עָרֵיהֶ֨ם בְּכׇל־עִ֜יר וָעִ֗יר אֲנָשִׁים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִקְּב֣וּ בְשֵׁמ֔וֹת לָתֵ֣ת מָנ֗וֹת לְכׇל־זָכָר֙ בַּכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים וּלְכׇל־הִתְיַחֵ֖שׂ בַּלְוִיִּֽם׃

For the sons of Aaron, the priests, in the pasturelands of their cities, in each and every city, there were men designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone enrolled among the Levites.

KJV Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The distribution system reaches beyond Jerusalem to the priestly cities with their surrounding pasturelands (migrash). Named officials (anashim asher niqqevu ve-shemot, 'men designated by name') in each city ensure that even remote clergy receive their portions. The system is comprehensive and personally accountable — no one is overlooked.
2 Chronicles 31:20

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ כָּזֹ֛את יְחִזְקִיָּ֖הוּ בְּכׇל־יְהוּדָ֑ה וַיַּ֧עַשׂ הַטּ֛וֹב וְהַיָּשָׁ֥ר וְהָאֱמֶ֖ת לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהָֽיו׃

Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good, right, and faithful before the LORD his God.

KJV And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The summary evaluation uses a triad of covenant virtues: ha-tov ('the good'), ve-ha-yashar ('the right'), ve-ha-emet ('the faithful/true'). These three words — goodness, righteousness, faithfulness — capture the full scope of covenantal living. The phrase lifnei YHWH Elohav ('before the LORD his God') indicates that Hezekiah's conduct is measured not by human standards but by divine ones. This is one of the most positive royal evaluations in Chronicles.
2 Chronicles 31:21

וּבְכׇל־מַעֲשֶׂ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־הֵחֵ֣ל ׀ בַּעֲבוֹדַ֣ת בֵּית־הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים וּבַתּוֹרָ֤ה וּבַמִּצְוָה֙ לִדְרֹ֣שׁ לֵאלֹהָ֔יו בְּכׇל־לְבָב֖וֹ עָשָׂ֥ה וְהִצְלִֽיחַ׃

In every work he undertook in the service of the house of God, in the law, and in the commandments, seeking his God, he acted with all his heart, and he prospered.

KJV And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The final verse summarizes Hezekiah's entire reign with four dimensions: avodat beit ha-Elohim ('service of the house of God'), ba-torah ('in the law/instruction'), u-va-mitsvah ('in the commandment'), and lidrosh le-Elohav ('seeking his God'). The phrase be-khol levavo asah ('he did it with all his heart') echoes the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5) — Hezekiah loves God with his whole heart. The result: ve-hitsliah ('he prospered, he succeeded'). For the Chronicler, wholehearted devotion produces divine blessing — this is the fundamental equation of covenant life.
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