2 Chronicles 31:4 kjv
Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 31:4 nkjv
Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 31:4 niv
He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 31:4 esv
And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 31:4 nlt
In addition, he required the people in Jerusalem to bring a portion of their goods to the priests and Levites, so they could devote themselves fully to the Law of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 31 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 18:21, 24 | "I have given the children of Levi all the tenth... for their service..." | Divine provision of tithes for Levites' sustenance. |
| Deut 14:27-29 | "And the Levite... you shall not forsake him..." | Command to remember and support Levites. |
| Neh 13:10-14 | "And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given..." | Nehemiah rebukes neglect of Levite support, showing the consequences. |
| Mal 3:8-10 | "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me... in tithes..." | Warning against withholding tithes, which constitutes robbing God. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." | New Testament principle of supporting full-time gospel ministers. |
| Gal 6:6 | "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teaches in all good things." | Responsibility of those taught to share materially with their teachers. |
| 1 Tim 5:17-18 | "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour..." | Scriptural instruction to honor and materially support diligent spiritual leaders. |
| Lk 10:7 | "for the labourer is worthy of his hire." | Principle that those who work, especially in ministry, deserve recompense. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | "Honor the Lord with your substance... your barns will be filled..." | Connects honoring God with possessions to receiving divine blessing. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly..." | Encourages cheerful and intentional giving as a spiritual act. |
| Exod 28:1 | "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons... that he may minister unto me..." | Institution of the priesthood for dedicated service. |
| Deut 33:10 | "They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law..." | Outlines the primary Levitical duty to teach God's Law. |
| Ezra 7:10 | "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach..." | Ezra exemplifies the Levite's ideal dedication to studying and teaching the Law. |
| Josh 1:8 | "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night..." | Emphasis on continuous engagement with and adherence to God's Word. |
| Pss 1:2 | "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." | Illustrates the ideal devotion to God's Law, mirroring the priests'/Levites' focus. |
| 1 Chr 9:26-32 | "For these Levites... had the charge of the chambers and treasuries..." | Describes various administrative and operational duties of Levites in the temple. |
| 2 Chr 29:3-5, 15 | "He... began to cleanse the house of the Lord... and purified it." | Hezekiah's earlier reform actions that restored proper worship, providing context for this support. |
| Neh 10:37-39 | "And we will bring the firstfruits of our dough... and the tithes of our ground..." | Renewal of the covenant includes a pledge to provide for temple personnel and maintenance. |
| Rom 15:27 | "For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things." | Gentile Christians' obligation to support Jewish believers who provided spiritual blessings. |
| Phil 4:15-18 | "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel... no church communicated with me as concerning giving..." | Paul's acknowledgment of receiving financial support from a church for his ministry. |
2 Chronicles 31 verses
2 Chronicles 31 4 Meaning
King Hezekiah commanded the residents of Jerusalem to provide the mandated portions, primarily tithes and offerings, for the priests and Levites. This was not merely an act of provision, but a deliberate measure to enable these spiritual ministers to be strengthened and wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to the study, teaching, and practice of the Law of the Lord without being burdened by secular work for their sustenance. It established a vital connection between the people's material support and the spiritual vitality and function of God's chosen ministers.
2 Chronicles 31 4 Context
This verse is situated immediately after King Hezekiah's extensive reforms in Judah, following a period of profound spiritual decline under his father, Ahaz. Chapters 29-30 describe Hezekiah's zealous cleansing and rededication of the Temple, the restoration of proper worship, and a joyous, widespread celebration of Passover that included both Judah and Israel. Chapter 31 opens with the people's spontaneous destruction of idolatrous altars and symbols across the land, signifying a national repentance and renewal. Verse 4 then details Hezekiah's practical steps to sustain this revived spiritual life. He understood that ongoing worship and instruction depended on the consistent support of those divinely appointed to lead it, ensuring they could fulfill their duties without economic distraction.
2 Chronicles 31 4 Word analysis
- "Moreover he commanded" (וַיֹּאמֶר - wa-yōʾmer): Literally, "And he said." In Chronicles, this often carries the force of a royal decree or authoritative instruction, emphasizing Hezekiah's active leadership in restoring divine order. It implies not just a suggestion but an enforceable policy.
- "the people that dwelt in Jerusalem" (לְיוֹשְׁבֵי יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם - ləyōšəvē Yərūšālaim): Specifies the residents of the capital city. While the instruction likely applied nationally, singling out Jerusalem underscores its role as the religious center and perhaps aimed to set a direct example for the broader populace.
- "to give" (לָתֵת - lāthēṯ): An infinitive indicating the direct action of providing, bestowing, or delivering. It signifies fulfilling a pre-existing obligation under the Law, which Hezekiah is reinstituting and enforcing.
- "the portion" (מְנָת - məm-nāth): Refers to the legally mandated allotment from agricultural produce (tithes, firstfruits, portions of offerings) for the priests and Levites. This was their God-ordained right, essential for their livelihood as they did not inherit land like other tribes.
- "of the priests and the Levites" (לַכֹּהֲנִים וְלַלְוִיִּם - lakōhanīm wəlləwiyim): Delineates the two distinct, divinely appointed groups. Priests conducted temple sacrifices and officiated, while Levites served in various roles including temple maintenance, music, gatekeeping, and teaching the Law throughout Israel. Both were full-time servants of God requiring community support.
- "that they might be encouraged" (לְמַעַן יֶחֶזְקוּ - ləmaʿan yeḥezqū): A crucial purpose clause. Yeḥezqū (from חָזַק ḥāzaq) means "to be strong," "to be firm," "to be steadfast," or "to hold fast." Here, it signifies enablement and empowerment, ensuring they could vigorously and faithfully execute their duties. It suggests sustained energy and focus for their calling.
- "in the law of the Lord" (בְּתוֹרַת יְהוָה - bəṯōraṯ Yhvh): The ultimate objective of their encouragement. Torah means "instruction" or "Law." This phrase specifies that their strength and steadfastness were for diligent study, teaching, preservation, and adherence to God's divine revelation. Adequate provision freed them to devote themselves entirely to this sacred task, safeguarding the spiritual purity and education of the nation.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "Moreover he commanded... to give the portion": This highlights Hezekiah's proactive role in restoring not just outward worship, but the foundational economic support structure that enabled its continuance. It shows leadership that aligns national policy with divine mandate, moving from passive neglect to active implementation.
- "the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged": This links the people's material offering directly to the empowerment of the ministry. The "portion" isn't merely a sustenance wage; it's an investment in the spiritual fortitude (encouragement) of those dedicated to God. It underscores that material support directly contributes to ministerial effectiveness.
- "encouraged in the law of the Lord": This phrase encapsulates the spiritual benefit derived from material support. By removing financial distractions, priests and Levites were able to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to studying, preserving, and teaching God's Word, ensuring the spiritual health and adherence of the community to divine precepts. It illustrates that spiritual ministry thrives when supported and empowered.
2 Chronicles 31 4 Bonus section
The support system for the priests and Levites underscored the reality that they had "no inheritance among their brethren; the Lord is their inheritance" (Num 18:20). The tithes served as their divinely designated "inheritance" from the people, enabling them to truly live by their spiritual inheritance of service to God. Hezekiah's re-establishment of this system countered years of neglect, a problem later seen and addressed by Nehemiah and condemned by Malachi, where the withholding of tithes directly led to the desertion of ministerial service and a decline in spiritual life. This highlights the crucial interdependency between the obedience of the people in giving and the strength and vitality of God's institutional worship and instruction.
2 Chronicles 31 4 Commentary
2 Chronicles 31:4 demonstrates King Hezekiah's profound understanding that enduring spiritual revival in a nation demands systematic and sustained practical support for its ministers. Having cleansed the Temple and reinstated proper worship, Hezekiah then addressed the vital issue of providing for the priests and Levites according to the Law. Their portions, primarily tithes, were not mere charitable donations but a covenantal obligation designed to free them from worldly pursuits. This enabled them to focus wholeheartedly on their divine calling: being strong and steadfast in their devotion to and teaching of the Law of the Lord. Their unwavering focus on divine instruction was crucial for the spiritual integrity and education of Israel. This principle transcends the specific context of ancient Israel, emphasizing that those dedicated to ministering God's Word require tangible support from the community they serve to effectively fulfill their sacred duties, maintaining spiritual clarity and impacting lives for the Kingdom without undue distraction.
- Examples: A church community collectively contributes funds to support its pastor's education, empowering deeper theological study; Christians financially supporting missionaries so they can remain focused on cross-cultural evangelism and discipleship; local assemblies ensuring staff wellbeing so they are fully present and dedicated to congregational care and teaching.