2 Chronicles 31:18

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And to the genealogy {H3187} of all their little ones {H2945}, their wives {H802}, and their sons {H1121}, and their daughters {H1323}, through all the congregation {H6951}: for in their set office {H530} they sanctified {H6942} themselves in holiness {H6944}:

Complete Jewish Bible

When shares were assigned, all their little ones, wives, sons and daughters were also recorded in the genealogies, throughout the entire community; for in their faithfulness to this task they consecrated themselves.

Berean Standard Bible

The genealogy included all the little ones, wives, sons, and daughters in the whole assembly. For they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy.

American Standard Version

and them that were reckoned by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 31:18 details the meticulous provision for the Levitical priests and their families during King Hezekiah's reforms, emphasizing that this comprehensive support, extending to all members of their households, was based on accurate genealogical records and, crucially, on their personal and collective consecration to God in their sacred service. It highlights the divine expectation for those serving in the Temple to maintain a state of holiness, which in turn qualified them and their families for the community's support.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader narrative in [2 Chronicles 29-31](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29-31 - Hezekiah's Reforms"), which describes King Hezekiah's sweeping religious reforms after a period of spiritual decline under his predecessors. Chapters 29 and 30 detail the cleansing and reopening of the Temple, the re-establishment of proper worship, and the celebration of a belated Passover. Chapter 31 specifically addresses the organization and sustenance of the priests and Levites. Following the people's generous giving of tithes and offerings (2 Chronicles 31:5-10), Hezekiah commanded the preparation of storage chambers for these provisions (2 Chronicles 31:11). Verses 12-19 then describe the meticulous administration of these provisions, ensuring equitable distribution to all who served, from the chief priests to the gatekeepers, and importantly, to their entire families, based on their divisions and genealogical records. This verse, 2 Chronicles 31:18, specifically underscores the inclusion of the entire household and the condition of their holiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) followed the apostasy of King Ahaz, who had closed the Temple and promoted idolatry. Hezekiah's reforms were a radical return to Mosaic Law and the covenant with Yahweh. In ancient Israel, the Levites were set apart for service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, having no tribal land inheritance; their livelihood was dependent on the tithes and offerings of the other tribes, as commanded in the Law (e.g., [Numbers 18:21-24](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21-24 - Provision for the Levites")). Genealogical records were paramount in Israelite society, especially for the priesthood, to establish lineage and legitimacy for service (e.g., [Ezra 2:62](/ezra/2-62 "Ezra 2:62 - Priests excluded due to genealogy")). The concept of "holiness" (Hebrew: *qodesh*) was central to their identity and function, signifying separation from the common and dedication to God, requiring ritual purity and moral integrity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several major themes in 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Provision and Stewardship**, demonstrating God's design for His servants to be sustained by the community, and the human responsibility to administer these resources faithfully. Secondly, **Holiness and Consecration in Service** is a dominant theme, emphasizing that the right to receive support was intrinsically linked to the spiritual purity and dedicated service of the Levites. Their "set office" was not merely a secular job but a sacred calling demanding genuine commitment to God, as seen in [Leviticus 10:3](/leviticus/10-3 "Leviticus 10:3 - God's holiness among His priests"). Thirdly, **Order and Accountability** is evident in the mention of "genealogy" and "through all the congregation," underscoring the meticulous organization and transparent distribution of resources, ensuring fairness and legitimacy. Finally, the inclusion of "little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters" underscores the theme of **Family Support for Ministry**, acknowledging that the dedication of the Levites encompassed their entire household, and thus, God's care and the community's support extended to the whole family unit. This reflects the communal nature of the covenant and the holistic care for those dedicated to God's service, echoing principles found in [Deuteronomy 12:12](/deuteronomy/12-12 "Deuteronomy 12:12 - Rejoicing with the Levite").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sanctified (Hebrew, _qadash'_):** This verb means "to be set apart," "to be consecrated," "to be made holy." In the context of the Levites, it refers to their ritual and moral purification, making them fit for sacred service. It implies a deliberate act of dedication and separation from the profane, essential for approaching God and ministering in His Temple. This was not a passive state but an active, ongoing process of maintaining purity.
* **Holiness (Hebrew, _qodesh'_):** This noun refers to the state of being holy, sacred, or set apart. When used with "sanctified," as in "sanctified themselves in holiness," it forms an emphatic construction, stressing the absolute and genuine nature of their consecration. It signifies not just ceremonial purity but an internal spiritual and moral integrity required for their sacred duties, reflecting God's own character (cf. [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be holy, for I am holy")).
* **Genealogy (Hebrew, _yachas'_):** This term refers to a registration, enrollment, or genealogical record. Its inclusion here highlights the meticulous and orderly nature of Hezekiah's reforms. It ensured that only those legitimately belonging to the Levitical families, and thus qualified for service and support, received the provisions. This emphasis on lineage underscored the divine order established for the Temple service.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation:"** This clause specifies the comprehensive scope of the provision. It clarifies that the support extended beyond the individual serving Levites to their entire households. The phrase "to the genealogy" emphasizes that this distribution was not arbitrary but based on official, meticulously kept records, ensuring fairness and proper identification of those entitled to support. The listing of "little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters" constitutes a merism, signifying *all* members of the family, regardless of age or gender, underscoring the holistic nature of the provision. "Through all the congregation" implies that this system was applied consistently across all divisions and locations where Levites served, reflecting a unified and organized effort.
* **"for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:"** This crucial causal clause ("for") provides the rationale and condition for receiving such comprehensive support. It establishes that the provision was not merely an entitlement but a consequence of their spiritual state and dedicated service. "In their set office" refers to their appointed roles and duties as Levites. The phrase "they sanctified themselves in holiness" signifies their active and ongoing commitment to ritual purity and moral integrity. This was the spiritual prerequisite for their legitimate service and, consequently, for the sustenance of their families. Their spiritual devotion was directly linked to their material provision.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively. **Merism** is evident in the comprehensive listing of "their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters," which serves to emphasize that *every* member of the Levitical household was included in the provision. This exhaustive enumeration underscores the thoroughness of the support system. The phrase "sanctified themselves in holiness" utilizes **Emphasis** through the repetition of the root *q-d-sh* (verb "sanctified" and noun "holiness"), creating a forceful declaration of the absolute and genuine nature of their consecration. This emphatic construction highlights the fundamental requirement of spiritual purity for their service. Furthermore, the use of the causal conjunction "for" introduces a **Causal Clause**, explicitly linking the provision for the Levitical families to the spiritual condition and dedicated service of the Levites themselves. This establishes a clear theological principle: divine and communal support is contingent upon faithful, consecrated service.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the principle of reciprocal commitment within God's covenant. God provides for His servants, and the community is called to facilitate that provision, but this support is contingent upon the servants' faithfulness and consecration. It underscores that true ministry is not merely a professional occupation but a sacred calling demanding a life set apart for God. The meticulous record-keeping and the comprehensive family support demonstrate God's concern for order, justice, and the holistic well-being of those dedicated to His service. This Old Testament principle foreshadows the New Testament understanding of ministerial support and the universal call to holiness for all believers, recognizing that our service flows from our sanctified relationship with God.

* [Numbers 18:21](/numbers/18-21 "Numbers 18:21 - Provision for Levites through Tithes")
* [1 Corinthians 9:14](/1_corinthians/9-14 "1 Corinthians 9:14 - Support for Gospel Ministers")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Call to Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Chronicles 31:18 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, particularly those in ministry and the wider church community. It reminds us that dedicated service to God is not a solitary endeavor but often involves the entire family, and thus, the church has a responsibility to support those who give their lives to ministry, enabling them to focus on their sacred duties without undue worldly anxieties. This support should be administered with integrity, transparency, and meticulous care, reflecting the divine order seen in Hezekiah's reforms. More broadly, the verse's emphasis on "sanctified themselves in holiness" serves as a timeless call to all believers. Whether in formal ministry or daily life, our service to God must flow from a heart and life set apart for Him. Our outward actions for God are only truly effective and pleasing to Him when they are rooted in an inward commitment to purity and devotion. This means actively pursuing holiness, not just as a ceremonial act, but as a genuine, ongoing transformation of character, knowing that our walk with God impacts our ability to serve Him and our witness to the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "sanctifying themselves in holiness" challenge my understanding of what it means to serve God today?**
* **In what ways can I, or my church community, better support those who are dedicated to full-time ministry, understanding their family's needs?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my daily life reflects a commitment to holiness, making my service to God more authentic?**
* **How does the meticulous record-keeping in this verse speak to the importance of integrity and transparency in handling church resources today?**

### FAQ
**Was the provision for the Levites purely based on their genealogy, or was their spiritual state also a factor?**

Answer: While genealogy was crucial for establishing legitimate lineage and entitlement to service, 2 Chronicles 31:18 explicitly states, "for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness." This causal clause indicates that their spiritual state and active dedication to holiness were a fundamental prerequisite for receiving the comprehensive provisions. It wasn't merely a matter of birthright, but also of ongoing spiritual integrity and consecration in their sacred duties. This principle of spiritual qualification alongside lineage is a recurring theme in the Old Testament priesthood, emphasizing that proximity to God's holiness required personal purity.

**What does "sanctified themselves in holiness" imply for believers today who are not priests or Levites?**

Answer: While the specific context applies to the Levitical priests, the underlying principle of being "set apart" for God's purposes applies to all believers in the New Covenant. [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood") describes all Christians as a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation." Therefore, just as the Levites were called to maintain ritual and moral purity for their service, Christians are called to live lives of holiness, separated from sin and dedicated to God in every aspect of their lives (cf. [Romans 12:1-2](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1-2 - Living Sacrifice")). This involves a continuous process of spiritual growth, moral integrity, and active pursuit of God's will, enabling us to serve Him effectively in our various callings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Chronicles 31:18, with its emphasis on a consecrated priesthood sustained by the community and qualified by holiness, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The Levitical system, with its need for ongoing purification and provision, pointed to the perfect High Priest, Jesus, who "sanctified" Himself not by ritual, but by His sinless life and once-for-all sacrifice (cf. [John 17:19](/john/17-19 "John 17:19 - Jesus Sanctifies Himself") and [Hebrews 7:27](/hebrews/7-27 "Hebrews 7:27 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). His holiness was inherent and absolute, making Him the only one truly qualified to mediate between God and humanity. Under the New Covenant, the need for a separate priestly class to receive communal sustenance in this manner is transformed, as all believers are now part of a "royal priesthood" (cf. [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), called to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works (cf. [Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Works")). While the church still supports those dedicated to full-time ministry (cf. [1 Timothy 5:17-18](/1_timothy/5-17 "1 Timothy 5:17-18 - Honoring Elders")), the ultimate provision for our spiritual needs and the foundation of our access to God is found solely in Christ's perfect work. His complete holiness and sacrificial offering ensure that all who are in Him are made holy and are eternally sustained by His grace, no longer dependent on genealogical records or imperfect human sanctification for their standing before God (cf. [Colossians 1:22](/colossians/1-22 "Colossians 1:22 - Holy and Blameless in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 9:22

All these [which were] chosen to be porters in the gates [were] two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their set office.

Isaiah 5:16

But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.

Romans 15:16

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

2 Chronicles 31:15

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: