2 Chronicles 31:12

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.

And brought in {H935} the offerings {H8641} and the tithes {H4643} and the dedicated {H6944} things faithfully {H530}: over which Cononiah {H3562} the Levite {H3881} was ruler {H5057}, and Shimei {H8096} his brother {H251} was the next {H4932}.

they faithfully brought in the offerings, the required tenths and the consecrated things. Konanyahu the Levi was put in charge of them, with Shim'i his brother as his assistant.

And they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second.

and they brought in the oblations and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully. And over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was second;

Commentary

2 Chronicles 31:12 details a crucial aspect of King Hezekiah's widespread religious reforms in Judah, specifically concerning the administration of offerings and tithes. This verse highlights the organized and faithful handling of the people's contributions, which were vital for supporting the priests and Levites dedicated to temple service.

Context

Following a period of spiritual decline under previous kings, King Hezekiah initiated a profound spiritual revival. He cleansed the temple, restored proper worship, and reinstituted the Passover. As part of this sweeping reform, Hezekiah encouraged the people to bring their required contributions—offerings, tithes, and dedicated things—to the temple. This outpouring of generosity was so great that special storage chambers had to be prepared, and an organized system for their management was essential. This verse underscores the administrative structure put in place to manage these vast resources, ensuring order and accountability in the temple treasury. For more on Hezekiah's reforms, see 2 Chronicles 29 and 2 Chronicles 30.

Key Themes

  • Faithful Stewardship: The phrase "brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated [things] faithfully" is central. It emphasizes the integrity and trustworthiness required in managing sacred resources. This wasn't merely about collecting; it was about handling God's provisions with diligence and honesty, a principle echoed throughout scripture regarding stewardship of all that is entrusted to us.
  • Organized Administration: The appointment of Cononiah the Levite as ruler and Shimei his brother as "the next" (or second-in-command) demonstrates the importance of proper leadership and accountability in religious administration. This structured approach ensured that the abundant contributions were managed efficiently and distributed appropriately to those serving in the temple.
  • Support for Ministry: The primary purpose of these offerings and tithes was to provide for the priests and Levites, enabling them to devote themselves fully to their duties without needing to engage in secular labor for sustenance. This principle of supporting those who minister is a recurring theme in the Bible (Numbers 18:21, 1 Corinthians 9:14).

Linguistic Insights

The term "dedicated [things]" translates the Hebrew word qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ), which refers to something holy or consecrated. These were items or portions of property set apart specifically for God's use or for the temple. The emphasis on handling these "faithfully" highlights the sacredness of such contributions and the high standard of integrity expected from those entrusted with them.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers and religious organizations today:

  1. Integrity in Giving and Receiving: Just as the people gave generously, those entrusted with managing church finances and resources must do so with utmost faithfulness and transparency.
  2. Value of Organized Leadership: Effective administration is crucial for any endeavor, especially in ministry. Appointing trustworthy individuals to oversee financial and material resources ensures good stewardship and builds confidence among givers.
  3. Support for Those in Full-Time Service: The principle of providing for those who dedicate their lives to spiritual ministry remains vital. Our contributions enable ministers, missionaries, and church workers to focus on their divine calling.

2 Chronicles 31:12 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithful giving, diligent stewardship, and orderly administration in the service of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 35:9

    Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand [small cattle], and five hundred oxen.

  • 1 Chronicles 26:20

    ¶ And of the Levites, Ahijah [was] over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

  • 1 Chronicles 26:26

    Which Shelomith and his brethren [were] over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

  • 2 Kings 12:15

    Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.
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