2 Chronicles 31 2

2 Chronicles 31:2 kjv

And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 31:2 nkjv

And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites according to their divisions, each man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to serve, to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 31:2 niv

Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions?each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites?to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the LORD's dwelling.

2 Chronicles 31:2 esv

And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, each according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the LORD and to give thanks and praise.

2 Chronicles 31:2 nlt

Hezekiah then organized the priests and Levites into divisions to offer the burnt offerings and peace offerings, and to worship and give thanks and praise to the LORD at the gates of the Temple.

2 Chronicles 31 verses

2 Chronicles 31 2 Meaning

2 Chronicles 31:2 describes King Hezekiah's re-establishment of orderly and biblical worship in Jerusalem. Following the purification of the temple and the celebration of Passover, Hezekiah appointed the priests and Levites to their designated roles and divisions, ensuring that each individual performed his specific service. This organization facilitated the proper administration of burnt offerings and peace offerings, and ensured that the Levitical functions of ministering, giving thanks, and praising the Lord were meticulously carried out within the temple precincts and areas associated with God's service. The verse emphasizes Hezekiah's commitment to restoring the prescribed order of worship according to Mosaic Law and Davidic arrangements.

2 Chronicles 31 2 Context

2 Chronicles 31:2 is situated within the broader narrative of King Hezekiah's extensive religious reforms, a pivotal period of spiritual revival in Judah. Chapters 29 and 30 describe the purification and rededication of the Temple, followed by a grand Passover celebration unprecedented since the days of Solomon. Having cleansed the physical structure and reinstated the corporate worship, Hezekiah now focuses on reorganizing the human element: the priests and Levites. This verse directly follows the re-institution of freewill offerings and the setting aside of tithes and contributions for the support of the temple ministry (31:1). It highlights Hezekiah's thoroughness in ensuring that both the provision for and the administration of the temple service were meticulously ordered according to divine prescription and previous established precedents by David. It underscores the Chronicler's theme of righteous kings bringing about spiritual renewal by adherence to God's law. Historically, this contrasts sharply with the idolatry and neglect under his father, King Ahaz, and reflects a deliberate return to covenant faithfulness.

2 Chronicles 31 2 Word analysis

• And Hezekiah appointed (וַיַּעֲמֵד - vayya'amed): "Appointed" means to make stand, to establish, to set up firmly. It conveys deliberate, authoritative action. Hezekiah did not merely suggest or encourage; he enforced and organized. This proactive stance highlights his zeal for God's house and his kingly responsibility to uphold divine order, restoring what had fallen into disarray under previous reigns. This term is used frequently to describe the establishment of various laws, institutions, or appointments in the Hebrew Bible, reflecting firmness and permanence.
• the divisions (הַמַּחֲלְקֹת - hammachalakot): Refers to the "courses" or "shifts" of priests and Levites, initially organized by King David (1 Chronicles 23-26). These were specific rosters that dictated when each group would serve in the Temple, ensuring continuous and organized worship. The restoration of these divisions indicates a return to the established, divinely ordained structure for temple service, as opposed to ad-hoc or disorganized worship.
• of the priests and the Levites (הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְוִיִּם - hakohanim vehaleviyim): Explicitly names the two key groups responsible for temple ministry. Priests (descendants of Aaron) performed sacrifices and offerings; Levites (descendants of Levi, excluding priests) assisted the priests, served as musicians, gatekeepers, and administrators. This distinction of roles was crucial for proper temple function and adherence to the Law.
• according to their divisions (כְּמַחֲלְקֹתָם - k'machalakotam): Emphasizes adherence to the established system. It was not arbitrary new arrangements, but a faithful re-implementation of the existing, Divinely-inspired organizational structure.
• each man according to his service (אִישׁ כְּפִי עֲבֹדָתוֹ - ish k'fi avodato): This phrase highlights individual responsibility and specialization within the established framework. "Service" (עֲבֹדָה - avodah) implies dedicated work, worship, or ministry. Every individual, from the highest priest to the humblest Levite, had a specific, ordained duty, crucial for the whole system to function properly. It counters any idleness or confusion in their duties.
• the priests and Levites (הַכֹּהֲנִים וְהַלְוִיִּם - hakohanim vehaleviyim): Repetition emphasizes that both groups, fulfilling their distinct yet complementary roles, were essential for the comprehensive scope of temple activities.
• for burnt offerings (לַעֹלוֹת - la'olot): Refers to the olah (elevation or ascent) offering, entirely consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement for sin. This was a daily, foundational element of Israelite worship.
• and for peace offerings (וְלַשְּׁלָמִים - velash'lamim): Refers to the shelamim (well-being or fellowship) offering, part of which was eaten by the worshiper, symbolizing peace, fellowship, and communion with God. Both offerings, mandated by Mosaic Law, underscore the re-establishment of essential atonement and communion with God.
• to minister (לְשָׁרֵת - l'sharet): "To serve" or "to minister" signifies practical, active service to God and in His sanctuary. It is a broad term encompassing the physical and functional aspects of temple duty, ensuring that all operations proceeded smoothly.
• to give thanks (וּלְהוֹדוֹת - ulehodot): "To give thanks" (from yadah, often connected with extending hands in praise/thanksgiving) denotes expressing gratitude and acknowledgement of God's goodness and acts. This is a crucial, expressive element of worship.
• and to praise (וּלְהַלֵּל - ulehalel): "To praise" (from halal, root of "hallelujah") signifies exultation, jubilation, and loud acclamation of God's greatness and glory. Together with 'give thanks,' it specifies the spiritual and expressive dimensions of their service, going beyond mere ritualistic actions.
• in the gates of the camps of the Lord (בְּשַׁעֲרֵי מַחֲנוֹת יְהוָה - b'sha'arei machanot YHWH): "Gates" refer to access points, implying a visible, accessible presence and also administration points. "Camps of the Lord" likely refers to the areas within the temple precincts where various Levite families and priests were stationed or quartered, or even locations throughout Israel where Levitical duties were performed. It conveys the widespread and regulated nature of their service within the sacred sphere of God's presence among His people. Some interpret "camps" as drawing a parallel to the organized encampment in the wilderness, emphasizing divine order.

2 Chronicles 31 2 Bonus section

• Polemics Against Contemporary Beliefs/Practices: The systematic restoration of specific divisions and roles directly counters the widespread, disorganized, and syncretistic religious practices that were prevalent under King Ahaz. It was a firm stand against idol worship and foreign cults, which lacked such divine order and often involved practices anathema to Yahwistic faith. Hezekiah's actions implicitly rejected any form of worship not rooted in the Mosaic covenant and the Davidic precedent.
• Connection to Wisdom Literature: The verse, with its emphasis on "order," "division," and "each man according to his service," resonates with the wisdom tradition found in books like Proverbs, which extols order and diligence in various aspects of life (Prov 13:4, Prov 24:3-4). The restoration of this divine order brings about spiritual and societal flourishing.
• Chronicles' Thematic Emphasis: The Chronicler frequently emphasizes the roles of priests and Levites, their genealogical purity, and their proper function in temple worship. This highlights a priestly theology that stresses the importance of centralized, ritual purity, and proper execution of religious duties for national well-being and maintaining a right relationship with God. Hezekiah's actions here perfectly align with this central theme.

2 Chronicles 31 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 31:2 vividly illustrates King Hezekiah's deep commitment to covenant faithfulness and the restoration of authentic worship in Judah. Beyond cleaning the temple walls and celebrating Passover, Hezekiah understood that true spiritual revival demanded a meticulously ordered system for sustained, proper service. His action of re-appointing the priests and Levites "according to their divisions" and "each man according to his service" underscores a crucial biblical principle: God is a God of order (1 Cor 14:40). Worship is not chaotic or improvisational; it has prescribed forms, functions, and personnel. The emphasis on specific offerings (burnt and peace offerings) highlights the centrality of atonement and communion with God, while "to minister, to give thanks, and to praise" expands the scope to include active service, heartfelt gratitude, and enthusiastic acclamation. This verse is not just a historical account but a profound lesson that effective and God-honoring ministry requires both divine commission and diligent human organization. It is a call for us today to embrace our specific roles in the body of Christ with diligence, doing all things "decently and in order" for the glory of God.