2 Chronicles 31:11 kjv
Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,
2 Chronicles 31:11 nkjv
Now Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them.
2 Chronicles 31:11 niv
Hezekiah gave orders to prepare storerooms in the temple of the LORD, and this was done.
2 Chronicles 31:11 esv
Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD, and they prepared them.
2 Chronicles 31:11 nlt
Hezekiah ordered that storerooms be prepared in the Temple of the LORD. When this was done,
2 Chronicles 31 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 31:5-10 | As soon as the command was spread abroad... the tithe of everything, and they brought in abundantly. | Immediate context of bountiful offerings. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." | Purpose of temple storehouse for provision. |
| Neh 10:37-38 | We will bring our firstfruits... and the tithes of our ground to the Levites, for the Levites are to collect… | Similar post-exilic commitment to tithes/storehouses. |
| Neh 13:12 | Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. | Continuation of storing provisions in the temple. |
| 1 Chr 9:26 | For the four chief gatekeepers, who were Levites, were in charge of the chambers and storehouses… | Precedent for temple administration and storage. |
| 1 Chr 26:1-12 | As for the divisions of the gatekeepers... for they had duties corresponding to their brothers in the house.. | Mention of divisions responsible for treasury and stores. |
| 2 Chr 29:3 | In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them. | Hezekiah's prior restoration of the temple. |
| 2 Chr 29:31 | Then Hezekiah said, "Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, bring sacrifices..." | Hezekiah's leadership in consecration and offerings. |
| 2 Chr 30:22 | And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the LORD... | Hezekiah's care for those serving in the temple. |
| Deut 14:28-29 | "At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe... that they may eat and be satisfied." | Purpose of tithes for support of Levites, needy. |
| Num 18:21, 24 | "To the Levites I have given every tithe... for their service..." | Divine ordinance for Levites' sustenance from tithes. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. | Good leadership (Hezekiah) in practical matters. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | But all things should be done decently and in order. | Principle of order and good management. |
| Luke 16:10 | "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much..." | Stewardship of resources, big or small. |
| Ezra 7:20 | Whatever else is needed for the house of your God, which you may have occasion to provide… | Historical examples of providing for the temple. |
| Matt 25:21 | "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much." | Reward for diligent stewardship. |
| 2 Chr 34:10-11 | They delivered the money that had been brought into the house of the LORD… to buy cut stone and timber… | Prioritization of temple restoration. |
| Haggai 1:9-11 | "You looked for much, and behold, it came to little… because of My house that lies in ruins…" | Divine displeasure for neglected temple/stewardship. |
| Acts 6:1-4 | ...the Hellenists grumbled... that their widows were being neglected... chosen seven men full of the Spirit.. | Early church demonstrating organized administration. |
| Rom 12:8 | the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. | Principle of leadership in administration. |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach… | Principle of good stewardship in leadership. |
2 Chronicles 31 verses
2 Chronicles 31 11 Meaning
Second Chronicles 31:11 details King Hezekiah's command to construct and prepare dedicated storage rooms or "chambers" within the temple complex. This directive arose out of the overwhelming generosity of the people of Judah, who brought forth an abundance of tithes and consecrated offerings—grain, wine, oil, honey, and all the produce of the field. Recognizing the sheer volume of these provisions, Hezekiah acted swiftly to ensure there were proper, organized facilities for their storage, indicating his commitment to diligent stewardship and orderly temple administration to support the priests and Levites in their service to the LORD.
2 Chronicles 31 11 Context
This verse is nestled within King Hezekiah's comprehensive religious reforms, immediately following a period of great spiritual revival and generous giving. Chapters 29-30 describe Hezekiah's zealous efforts to cleanse the temple, restore proper worship, and celebrate a delayed Passover. This revival spurred an unprecedented outpouring of devotion from the people, evidenced by the vast quantities of tithes and dedicated offerings brought to the temple (2 Chr 31:5-10). These offerings, meant for the sustenance of the priests and Levites, accumulated rapidly due to their abundance. Thus, 2 Chronicles 31:11 reflects Hezekiah's practical and responsible leadership: having exhorted the people to spiritual commitment and giving, he then ensures the infrastructure is in place to manage these sacred resources efficiently and honorably. The historical context shows Judah recovering from generations of spiritual neglect under previous kings like Ahaz. Hezekiah's reign marks a significant turnaround, emphasizing covenant faithfulness, priestly duties, and orderly temple function. The command for chambers underscored a belief that divine blessings, when abundant, require proper human management and stewardship.
2 Chronicles 31 11 Word analysis
- Then: wa- (Heb. ו), a conjunction indicating sequence and logical consequence. It links Hezekiah’s action directly to the preceding event of abundant offerings.
- Hezekiah: Yechizqiyyahu (Heb. יְחִזְקִיָּהוּ). His name means "The LORD strengthens" or "The LORD is my strength." His actions throughout 2 Chronicles embody this name, as he relied on God's strength to enact major reforms, including this practical organizational step. His leadership is pivotal.
- commanded: vayyomer (Heb. וַיֹּאמֶר), literally "and he said," but contextually, a strong directive. It indicates Hezekiah's authoritative and active role in leadership, not merely suggesting but ordering. This was a kingly decree, demonstrating initiative and practical foresight.
- to prepare: le-hakhin (Heb. לְהָכִין), the infinitive construct of kun (כּוּן), meaning "to establish, set up, make ready, provide." It implies active arrangement and diligent organization, ensuring readiness for a specific purpose. This was not a passive request but a requirement for systematic development.
- chambers: leshakhot (Heb. לְשָׁכוֹת), the plural of lishka (לִשְׁכָּה), referring to side rooms, cells, or storerooms, often found within the temple precinct. These were practical spaces for storage, administration, and potentially even lodging. Their purpose here was specifically for the tithes and dedicated offerings (cf. Neh 13:5, Jer 35:2, Ezek 40:44). The sheer quantity of offerings necessitated these dedicated, organized spaces.
- in the house: be-beit (Heb. בְּבֵית), meaning "in the house of" or "within the temple precinct." This highlights that the storage was sacred, part of the holy space, reinforcing the idea of proper handling of offerings made to God.
- of the LORD: YHWH (Heb. יְהוָה), the covenant name of God. This emphasizes that the "house" is dedicated to Him, and all activities within it, including storage and administration, are to honor His holiness.
- and they prepared them: vayyakhinu (Heb. וַיָּכִינוּ). This shows the immediate and effective execution of Hezekiah's command. The plural subject ("they") refers to those responsible for carrying out such tasks, likely temple workers or royal officials. This rapid compliance underscores the responsiveness to Hezekiah's leadership and the urgency of the need.
Words-group analysis:
- Then Hezekiah commanded: This phrase emphasizes the king’s strong, decisive leadership and initiative. He did not wait for problems to arise from the abundance but proactively ensured order. It reflects a commitment to practical management alongside spiritual reform.
- to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD: This identifies the specific action (preparation), the location (temple), and the type of structure (chambers). It underscores the functional need for organized storage for sacred goods, reflecting good stewardship within a holy context. The divine designation ("House of the LORD") implies reverence in their use.
- and they prepared them: This concluding phrase highlights obedience and efficiency. The command was given, and it was executed promptly. It points to an organized system of governance and labor under Hezekiah, ensuring that practical necessities aligned with spiritual revival.
2 Chronicles 31 11 Bonus section
The initiative for these chambers underscores Hezekiah's proactive leadership style, which contrasted sharply with some of his predecessors' negligence regarding temple maintenance and administration. This specific action of preparing chambers for storing tithes echoes the broader theme in Deuteronomy (14:28-29) and Malachi (3:10) concerning the purpose of the "storehouse"—to ensure that "there may be food in My house," primarily for the Levites and sojourners, widows, and orphans. Hezekiah's immediate response to the overflow of gifts reveals a commitment not just to receiving, but to properly stewarding God's blessings and providing for His servants. It suggests that a flourishing spiritual life often produces practical logistical challenges, which good leadership must address with wisdom and diligence.
2 Chronicles 31 11 Commentary
2 Chronicles 31:11 is a concise verse that, while seemingly administrative, carries significant spiritual weight within Hezekiah’s reforms. It illustrates a crucial principle: authentic spiritual revival and fervent giving (as seen in the preceding verses) necessitate diligent and orderly administration. Hezekiah did not merely celebrate the people's generosity; he recognized the practical implications and immediately provided the necessary infrastructure. The preparation of these "chambers" (storerooms) was not mundane; it was an act of profound stewardship, ensuring that the sacred offerings intended for the sustenance of the priests and Levites (and thereby, the continuity of temple service) were handled with respect and managed effectively. This act underscores Hezekiah's integrated leadership: he cared for the spiritual health of the nation, the proper worship of God, and the practical well-being of those dedicated to God's service. It’s a biblical endorsement for order, foresight, and practical provision in matters of faith and congregational life. For instance, in modern church contexts, it speaks to the necessity of clear financial management, organized facilities for ministry resources, and careful oversight of benevolent provisions, ensuring that generosity is honored by good stewardship, and resources are rightly disbursed to support those serving and to advance God's kingdom.