2 Chronicles 31

2 Chronicles 31:1

When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.

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until etc. Heb. until to make an end

2 Chronicles 31:2

Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.

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in the gates of the tents of the Lord Beshaarey machanoth Yehowah , "within the gates of the camps of Jehovah;" which comprehended the whole of the buildings that surrounded the temple , in which the priests and Levites were stationed , and which resembled military encampments.

2 Chronicles 31:3

The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD.

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2 Chronicles 31:4

Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.

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2 Chronicles 31:5

As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything.

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honey or , dates , The word devash generally denotes the honey produced by bees; but as we have already observed (on Genesis 43 . 11) , the Jewish doctors are of opinion that it here signifies dates , of the fruit of the palm tree; which the Arabians call daboos , and the honey produced from them , dibs. "This liquor ," says Dr. Shaw , "which has a more luscious sweetness than honey , is of the consistence of a thin syrup , but quickly grows tart and ropy , acquiring an intoxicating quality , and giving by distillation an agreeable spirit , or araky , according to the general name of these people for all hot liquors , extracted by the alembic." Though Jehovah forbad any devash , or honey , to offered to him upon the altar , yet it appears it might be presented as first-fruits , or in the way of tithes , which were designed for the sustenance of the priests.

2 Chronicles 31:6

And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.

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by heaps Heb. heaps and heaps.

2 Chronicles 31:7

In the third month they began building up the heaps, and they finished in the seventh month.

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Leviticus 23 . 16-24

2 Chronicles 31:8

When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the heaps, they blessed the LORD and His people Israel.

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2 Chronicles 31:9

Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites about the heaps,

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2 Chronicles 31:10

and Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, “Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and there is plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed His people; this great abundance is what is left over.”

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2 Chronicles 31:11

Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare storerooms in the house of the LORD, and they did so.

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2 Chronicles 31:12

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.

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2 Chronicles 31:13

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

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under Heb. at

2 Chronicles 31:14

Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings given to God, distributing the contributions to the LORD and the consecrated gifts.

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2 Chronicles 31:15

Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike.

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Miniamin Instead of Miniamin , Benjamin is the reading of three manuscripts , and of the Syriac , Arabic , LXX , and Vulgate.

2 Chronicles 31:16

In addition, they distributed portions to the males registered by genealogy who were three years of age or older—to all who would enter the house of the LORD for their daily duties for service in the responsibilities of their divisions—

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2 Chronicles 31:17

and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their duties and divisions.

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2 Chronicles 31:18

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

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2 Chronicles 31:19

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.

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2 Chronicles 31:20

So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God.

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2 Chronicles 31:21

He was diligent in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments, in order to seek his God. And so he prospered.

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