TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
Also of the sons H1121 of Aaron H175 the priests H3548, which were in the fields H7704 of the suburbs H4054 of their cities H5892, in every several city H5892, the men H582 that were expressed H5344 by name H8034, to give H5414 portions H4490 to all the males H2145 among the priests H3548, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies H3187 among the Levites H3881.
Complete Jewish Bible
Finally, shares were assigned to the descendants of Aharon, the cohanim, who lived in the pasture-lands surrounding their cities -in each city they were mentioned by name. Thus portions were distributed to all the males among the cohanim and to all whose genealogies showed that they belonged to the L'vi'im.
Berean Standard Bible
As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farmlands around each of their cities or in any other city, men were designated by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed by the genealogies.
American Standard Version
Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, that were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city, there were men that were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites.
World English Bible Messianic
Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, who were in the fields of the suburbs 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 reckoned by genealogy among the Levites.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also to the sonnes of Aaron, the Priestes, which were in the fieldes and suburbes of their cities, in euery citie the men that were appointed by names, shoulde giue portions to all the males of the Priestes, and to all the generation of the Leuites.
Young's Literal Translation
And to sons of Aaron, the priests, in the fields of the suburb of their cities, in every city and city, are men who have been defined by name, to give portions to every male among the priests, and to every one who reckoned himself by genealogy among the Levites.
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In the KJVVerse 11,874 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 31 verses 11–21
11 ¶ Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,
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.
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.
14 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.
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:
16 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;
17 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;
18 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:
19 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.
20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
21 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.
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.
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 (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 11–21. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 31:19 meticulously details King Hezekiah's exemplary and divinely-inspired administrative efforts to ensure the comprehensive and equitable provision for the priests and Levites throughout the kingdom of Judah. Following the overwhelming generosity of the people in bringing their tithes and offerings, this verse highlights the diligent process of identifying and distributing sustenance to all eligible males among the priestly and Levitical families, including those residing in the outlying cities and their surrounding pasturelands, thereby upholding the Mosaic Law and facilitating uninterrupted, consecrated service to God.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within the broader narrative of 2 Chronicles 31 which chronicles King Hezekiah's extensive religious reforms and the restoration of proper worship in Judah. Chapter 31 opens with the people's zealous destruction of idolatrous symbols following the great Passover celebration (see 2 Chronicles 31:1). This spiritual revival prompted an outpouring of tithes and offerings from the people, so abundant that special storage chambers had to be prepared in the temple (as described in 2 Chronicles 31:5-10). Hezekiah then appointed faithful overseers, including Cononiah and Shimei, to manage these vast provisions (see 2 Chronicles 31:12-13). Verses 15-18 detail the specific roles of the overseers in distributing portions to various groups within the temple, including the priests by courses, and the Levites from three years old and upward. 2 Chronicles 31:19 extends this meticulous distribution beyond Jerusalem, ensuring that even those priests and Levites serving in their designated cities across the land received their rightful sustenance, underscoring the comprehensive nature of Hezekiah's commitment to restoring the divine order and supporting all who ministered.
Historical & Cultural Context: King Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) marked a significant period of religious revival after decades of apostasy under his father, Ahaz. Judah had largely abandoned the worship of Yahweh, embracing idolatry and neglecting the temple and its services. Hezekiah initiated sweeping reforms, beginning with the cleansing and consecration of the temple (documented in 2 Chronicles 29) and the re-establishment of the Passover (recorded in 2 Chronicles 30). Central to the proper functioning of the temple and the spiritual life of the nation was the consistent support of the Levitical priesthood, as explicitly mandated by Mosaic Law (e.g., Numbers 18:21-24). The Levites were not allotted a tribal inheritance of land like the other tribes but were given specific cities and their surrounding pasturelands (referred to as "suburbs" or common lands) throughout Israel to reside in, as detailed in Numbers 35:2-8 and thoroughly enumerated in Joshua 21. This arrangement allowed them to serve in various capacities, including teaching the Law, administering justice, and assisting in temple duties, even when not on active duty in Jerusalem. Hezekiah's system of distribution, with individuals "expressed by name" and "reckoned by genealogies," reflects the high value placed on lineage and order in ancient Israelite society, especially for those serving in sacred roles, ensuring proper accountability and preventing misuse of sacred provisions.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in 2 Chronicles and Hezekiah's reforms. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Divine Order and Administration. Hezekiah's meticulous organization, from the collection of offerings to their systematic distribution, reflects a commitment to order that mirrors God's own character and His desire for His people to live in an orderly fashion. The phrase "expressed by name" underscores the precision and accountability in this sacred administration. Secondly, the verse emphasizes Provision for Ministry. The primary purpose of this system was to ensure that the priests and Levites, who were dedicated to the Lord's service, were adequately sustained. This allowed them to focus entirely on their spiritual duties without being burdened by the need to secure their own livelihood, a principle rooted in the Mosaic Law and essential for the flourishing of true worship (e.g., Deuteronomy 12:19). Thirdly, the theme of Equity and Inclusivity is prominent. The distribution was not confined to those serving in the Jerusalem temple but extended to "every several city," ensuring that all eligible males among the priests and Levites, regardless of their geographical location, received their due portions. This demonstrates a holistic approach to supporting God's servants across the entire kingdom. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of Accountability and Integrity, particularly through the phrase "reckoned by genealogies." This emphasis on proper lineage and identification was crucial for maintaining the purity of the priestly and Levitical lines, preventing unauthorized individuals from receiving sacred provisions, and upholding the integrity of the divine institutions.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message of meticulous order and comprehensive provision. Enumeration is evident in the detailed listing of recipients: "sons of Aaron the priests," "males among the priests," and "Levites reckoned by genealogies." This precise listing underscores the thoroughness of the administration. Emphasis is achieved through repetition of ideas related to specificity and universality, such as "in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city" and "all the males... all that were reckoned." This highlights the broad scope of Hezekiah's concern for all temple servants, wherever they resided. The phrase "expressed by name" serves as a form of Metonymy, where the act of naming represents the entire process of meticulous record-keeping, verification, and formal designation. The overall tone of the verse is one of Administrative Precision, reflecting the Chronicler's interest in the proper functioning of the temple and the structured life of God's people, a theme that runs throughout the book of 2 Chronicles.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 31:19 powerfully illustrates God's providential care for those dedicated to His service, mediated through the faithful administration of His appointed leaders. The meticulous organization and equitable distribution of provisions to the priests and Levites, wherever they resided, underscore the divine principle that those who minister in spiritual things should be sustained by the community. This act of provision was not merely an administrative task but a theological imperative, ensuring that the sacred duties of worship, teaching, and sacrifice could continue without hindrance. It reflects God's desire for order, justice, and the flourishing of His covenant people, demonstrating that true worship encompasses both fervent giving and responsible stewardship.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and the church. It reminds us that supporting those who dedicate their lives to ministry is not merely an act of charity but a divine principle, essential for the health and vitality of the community of faith. Just as Hezekiah ensured that priests and Levites, whether in Jerusalem or distant cities, were provided for, so too should the church today diligently and equitably care for its pastors, missionaries, and other full-time servants, enabling them to focus wholeheartedly on their spiritual responsibilities without undue material anxiety. Furthermore, the emphasis on "expressed by name" and "reckoned by genealogies" speaks to the importance of accountability, transparency, and good stewardship in managing the resources entrusted to the church. It calls us to administer God's provisions with integrity, ensuring that resources are distributed fairly and wisely, reflecting God's own character of order and justice. This comprehensive care fosters unity, strengthens ministry, and ultimately glorifies God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was it so important for the priests and Levites to be "expressed by name" and "reckoned by genealogies"?
Answer: The meticulous identification of priests and Levites by name and genealogy was crucial for several reasons rooted in Israelite law and social structure. Firstly, it ensured legitimacy and purity of service. Only those of proven Aaronic descent could serve as priests, and only those of the tribe of Levi could serve as Levites. Genealogies were the primary means of verifying this lineage, preventing unauthorized individuals from holding sacred offices or receiving sacred provisions. Secondly, it provided accountability and order. By being "expressed by name," each individual's entitlement was formally acknowledged, allowing for systematic and equitable distribution of portions. This prevented fraud, ensured no one was overlooked, and maintained administrative integrity in managing the abundant offerings. This meticulousness reflects God's character of order and His demand for holiness in His service, ensuring that the sacred provisions were handled with the utmost care and given only to those divinely appointed for ministry, as seen in later periods like Ezra 2:62.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 31:19 details the meticulous provision for the Old Testament priesthood, its underlying principles find profound fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The Levitical system, with its priests and sacrifices, served as a shadow pointing to the ultimate reality in Jesus Christ, our great High Priest (e.g., Hebrews 4:14). Just as the Old Testament priests were sustained by the offerings of the people to enable their service, so too is the ministry of the New Covenant sustained, though not primarily by material provisions for a temple system, but by the spiritual sustenance and empowering grace of Christ. Jesus himself is the ultimate "portion" for His people, the true bread of life that nourishes us for eternal service (e.g., John 6:35). Furthermore, the principle of supporting those who minister the gospel (e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:14) is rooted in God's ongoing care for His servants, now extended to all who participate in Christ's royal priesthood (e.g., 1 Peter 2:9). The meticulous order of Hezekiah's administration foreshadows the divine order of God's kingdom, where Christ perfectly administers all things, ensuring that every member of His body, the Church, receives the spiritual provisions necessary to fulfill their calling and participate in His redemptive mission (e.g., Ephesians 4:11-16).