2 Chronicles 31:7 kjv
In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
2 Chronicles 31:7 nkjv
In the third month they began laying them in heaps, and they finished in the seventh month.
2 Chronicles 31:7 niv
They began doing this in the third month and finished in the seventh month.
2 Chronicles 31:7 esv
In the third month they began to pile up the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
2 Chronicles 31:7 nlt
They began piling them up in late spring, and the heaps continued to grow until early autumn.
2 Chronicles 31 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 47:14 | And Joseph gathered up all the money... | Historical large-scale gathering |
| Lev 27:30 | "Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD." | Law regarding tithes |
| Num 18:21 | "To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting..." | Purpose of tithes for Levites |
| Deut 14:28 | "At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns." | Law for tithes' storage |
| 2 Kgs 12:4-16 | Focuses on King Joash's collection for temple repair. | Temple-related collections |
| 1 Chr 29:6-9 | The willing offerings for the temple under David, displaying overwhelming generosity. | Previous generous giving for temple |
| Neh 10:35-39 | Nehemiah's covenant to bring firstfruits and tithes for the Levites, ensuring support. | Commitment to temple provisions |
| Neh 12:44 | "On that day men were appointed over the storerooms for the contributions, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them the portions required by the Law for the priests and Levites according to the fields of the cities..." | Organized collection/storage |
| Neh 13:10-12 | Nehemiah rebukes the people for neglecting their tithes, causing Levites to abandon service, then restores the system. | Consequence of neglecting offerings |
| Prov 3:9-10 | "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty..." | Blessing linked to honoring God with wealth |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more room." | Promise of blessing for faithful tithing |
| Matt 6:21 | "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." | Giving reflects heart's devotion |
| Matt 23:23 | Jesus critiques Pharisees for tithing while neglecting justice and mercy. | Tithing without spiritual heart |
| Acts 4:34-37 | Believers selling possessions and bringing proceeds to apostles for distribution, demonstrating radical generosity. | Early church's radical generosity |
| Rom 12:8 | "the one who contributes, in generosity" | Encouragement for generous giving |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel." | Principle of supporting ministers |
| 2 Cor 8:1-5 | The generosity of the Macedonian churches in their giving, even in poverty. | Exemplary Christian generosity |
| 2 Cor 9:6-7 | "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." | Principles of bountiful and cheerful giving |
| Php 4:18-19 | Paul thanks the Philippians for their gifts, calling them a fragrant offering acceptable to God, with God supplying their needs. | God supplying needs in return for giving |
| Heb 7:1-10 | Melchizedek receiving tithes from Abraham. | Biblical precedent for tithing |
2 Chronicles 31 verses
2 Chronicles 31 7 Meaning
2 Chronicles 31:7 details the period during which the people of Judah, under King Hezekiah's leadership, collected and presented their required offerings and tithes for the Lord. It specifically notes that the collection began in the third month (Sivan, late spring/early summer) and concluded by the seventh month (Tishrei, late fall). This verse signifies the prompt, enthusiastic, and sustained response of the people to Hezekiah's spiritual reforms, demonstrating their renewed commitment to supporting the Levitical priesthood and the proper functioning of the temple worship according to Mosaic Law, resulting in vast, overflowing piles of provisions.
2 Chronicles 31 7 Context
Verse 7 of 2 Chronicles 31 is part of a larger narrative detailing King Hezekiah's extensive spiritual reforms and revival in Judah. Following the glorious Passover celebration in chapter 30, Hezekiah zealously sets about dismantling idolatry across the land (31:1) and restoring the temple service to its rightful order. He re-establishes the courses for the priests and Levites (31:2) and personally commits royal resources to the temple offerings (31:3). More significantly, Hezekiah then commands the people to bring the portions due to the priests and Levites according to the Law, ensuring their sustenance for their full-time temple duties (31:4).
The immediate preceding verses (31:5-6) describe the overwhelming, immediate, and spontaneous response of the people from all Israel – Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh. They generously brought large quantities of firstfruits and tithes of everything they owned – grain, new wine, oil, honey, all produce of the field, sheep, cattle, and personal holy offerings to the Lord. The sheer volume was so immense that it accumulated into "heaps." Verse 7 then specifies the duration of this massive collection effort, indicating it was not a one-day event but a sustained period from spring to fall harvests, underscoring the diligence and profound spiritual readiness of the people to return to God's ways.
This historical period under Hezekiah represents a significant spiritual turnaround after decades of apostasy and neglect under previous kings, particularly his father Ahaz. The outpouring of resources was a tangible expression of renewed faith, obedience to the Mosaic Covenant, and commitment to the pure worship of Yahweh. The ample provisions ensured the priests and Levites could serve without concern for their livelihood, a stark contrast to periods of spiritual decline where their support dwindled, forcing them to abandon temple service (as seen later in Nehemiah's time).
2 Chronicles 31 7 Word analysis
- In the third month: (בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁלִישִׁי - bachodesh ha-shelishi) This refers to the month of Sivan, approximately May-June in the Gregorian calendar. This timing is significant as it follows immediately after the successful and spiritually uplifting Passover celebration and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (held in the first month, Nisan). It would also be the time when early spring harvests (barley, wheat) would be completing. The immediate commencement indicates great zeal and urgency in their obedience following the revival.
- they began to lay the foundations: (הֵחֵלּוּ לְהָקִים - hechelu lehaqim) The verb "began" shows an intentional initiation of a process. "Lay the foundations" in this context (from the root qum, "to raise up, establish") doesn't refer to architectural foundations, but rather the systematic establishment or building up of the piles of goods. It suggests an organized effort, a structured start to accumulate these vast quantities, rather than a haphazard dumping. This reflects a commitment to order in sacred service.
- of the heaps: (לָעֲרֵמוֹת - la'aremot) From the Hebrew noun aremah (עֲרֵמָה), meaning "heap, pile, mound." This word visually depicts the immense quantity of provisions collected. It underscores the overwhelming abundance brought by the people, testifying to the breadth and depth of the revival. These were not small amounts but visible, substantial accumulations requiring designated spaces. This abundance stands as a sign of God's blessing and the people's generous response.
- and finished them: (וְכִלּוּ - vekhillu) From the root kalah, meaning "to complete, finish, bring to an end." This signifies diligence and thoroughness. The process was brought to a successful conclusion, indicating an efficient and sustained effort in this massive undertaking.
- by the seventh month: (בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי - bachodesh ha-shevi'i) This refers to the month of Tishrei, approximately September-October, coinciding with the end of the agricultural year and the ingathering of most remaining harvests (wine, oil). This timeframe (from the third to the seventh month, roughly four months) allowed for the continuous collection of produce from different harvest cycles and from distant regions. The duration highlights the sustained nature of the people's generosity and the magnitude of the task, showing a long-term commitment beyond initial enthusiasm. This diligent completion over months directly contrasts with previous negligence of sacred duties under apostate kings.
Words-group analysis:The phrase "began to lay the foundations of the heaps and finished them by the seventh month" points to a methodical, organized, and sustained national effort of generosity. This wasn't a spontaneous, short-lived surge of giving but a committed, ongoing process that endured for several months. This structured collection underscores the seriousness and orderliness of the revived worship, reflecting a true spiritual transformation that bore practical fruit in obedience and support for God's house and ministers. This efficient, well-managed collection stands as a polemic against the past disarray and lack of provision that often plagued the temple service when the people were disobedient to the covenant.
2 Chronicles 31 7 Bonus section
- The meticulous dating of the beginning and end of the collection process (third month to seventh month) reflects the chronicler's interest in divine order and the fulfillment of the Law's prescriptions concerning harvests and offerings, suggesting that this abundant giving aligned with Israel's agricultural and liturgical calendar.
- The overwhelming quantity of provisions, leading to "heaps," metaphorically fulfills the concept expressed later in Malachi 3:10, where God promises an overflowing blessing that there will "not be room enough to receive it" when the tithe is faithfully brought in. Hezekiah's reign provided an early historical example of such blessing from the people's renewed commitment.
- The administrative foresight and efficiency required to manage such a vast incoming supply are implicit, foreshadowing the need for careful oversight, which Hezekiah promptly addressed in the subsequent verses (2 Chron 31:11-19) by appointing treasurers and overseers to handle the distribution. This entire event signifies the intertwining of spiritual revival with practical, orderly, and generous stewardship.
2 Chronicles 31 7 Commentary
2 Chronicles 31:7 serves as a practical demonstration of the fruit of genuine spiritual revival. After years of apostasy and neglect, King Hezekiah's reforms sparked an incredible outpouring of obedience and generosity from the people. The verse highlights not just the immediate enthusiasm but also the sustained commitment, as the vast quantities of tithes and offerings continued to be brought in from the third month until the seventh. This lengthy collection period, coinciding with major harvest seasons, signifies that the giving was comprehensive, inclusive of various types of produce, and consistent, overwhelming the initial storage capacity. It's a testament to the power of a restored relationship with God that compels practical, sacrificial support for His house and His workers. The very "heaps" bore witness to God's blessing on His obedient people and their diligent adherence to His Law, ensuring that those consecrated to temple service were amply provided for, unlike during periods of spiritual decay. This methodical and overflowing giving points to God's desire for His people's order, diligence, and wholehearted generosity in serving Him.