2 Chronicles 31:9 kjv
Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
2 Chronicles 31:9 nkjv
Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
2 Chronicles 31:9 niv
Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps;
2 Chronicles 31:9 esv
And Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps.
2 Chronicles 31:9 nlt
"Where did all this come from?" Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites.
2 Chronicles 31 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 18:21-24 | “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes... for their service..." | God's command for Israel to support Levites with tithes. |
| Deut 14:28-29 | “At the end of every third year... shall come and eat and be satisfied..." | Command for specific tithes to support Levites, sojourners, orphans, widows. |
| Neh 10:37-38 | "...the tithes of our ground to the Levites, for the Levites are to receive the tithes..." | Nehemiah's time re-commitment to giving and supporting the temple workers. |
| Neh 13:10-12 | "And I perceived that the portions for the Levites had not been given... so that the Levites..." | Contrast to Hezekiah: neglect of provisions caused Levites to abandon service. |
| Mal 3:10 | “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this... and see if I will not throw open the floodgates..." | Promise of abundance for faithfulness in giving. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits... Then your barns will be filled with plenty..." | Principle: Honoring God with substance brings abundance. |
| 2 Cor 9:6-8 | “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully..." | New Testament principle of generous giving and God's abundance. |
| Phil 4:18 | "I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts..." | Paul acknowledging material support for ministry, likening it to an offering. |
| 1 Cor 9:13-14 | "Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple... Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel." | God's ordained support for those who serve in ministry. |
| Gal 6:6 | "Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches." | Call for believers to support those who teach them spiritually. |
| Luke 6:38 | “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your lap." | Jesus' teaching on the overflowing return for giving. |
| Acts 4:34-35 | "For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of lands or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds..." | Early church demonstrating radical generosity and mutual provision. |
| Exo 36:5-7 | "...The people bring much more than enough for the service..." And Moses gave command... "Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering..." | Overwhelming generosity for the construction of the tabernacle. |
| 1 Chr 29:6-9 | "Then the heads of the fathers' houses... offered willingly... with a whole heart..." | Israel's joyful and generous giving for the temple under David. |
| Hag 1:5-6, 9-11 | “You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but are not satisfied..." "You looked for much, but behold, it came to little..." | A warning of lack when God's house is neglected. |
| Ezr 7:24 | "...It is not lawful to impose tax, tribute, or custom on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim, or ministers..." | Protection for temple workers to ensure they could devote themselves fully. |
| 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 immediate focus on restoring proper worship. |
| 2 Chr 30:26 | "So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon... there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem." | The scale of Hezekiah's revival, setting the stage for overflowing blessings. |
| 2 Chr 31:4-5 | "...to give the portion to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord... as soon as the word spread... the children of Israel brought in abundance..." | The direct cause for the "heaps": the people's generous response to the king's command. |
| 2 Chr 31:10 | "Then Azariah the chief priest... answered and said, 'Since the people began to bring the offerings... we have had enough to eat and have plenty left over...'" | The immediate answer to Hezekiah's question: God's blessing of abundance. |
2 Chronicles 31 verses
2 Chronicles 31 9 Meaning
2 Chronicles 31:9 reveals King Hezekiah's inquisitive response to the overwhelming generosity of the people, who, in their renewed obedience, brought an abundance of tithes and offerings for the temple and its ministers. Seeing the vast, unexpected piles of provisions, Hezekiah initiated an inquiry with the priests and Levites to understand the source and magnitude of these "heaps," signifying not doubt, but wise and responsible stewardship of God's immense blessing.
2 Chronicles 31 9 Context
2 Chronicles chapters 29-31 recount King Hezekiah's great religious reforms and spiritual revival in Judah after the idolatrous reign of his father, Ahaz. Having purified and rededicated the temple, reinstituted the proper sacrifices, and celebrated a postponed Passover with unprecedented joy and attendance, Hezekiah then focused on restoring the lawful support for the priests and Levites. Prior to his reign, temple service and the system of offerings had largely been neglected, leaving the Levitical ministers struggling for sustenance. Hezekiah commanded the people to bring the portions due to the temple workers so they could fully devote themselves to God's service. The response was overwhelming; the people brought such an abundance of tithes and offerings (firstfruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, etc.) that great heaps (Hebrew: הֶעֳרֵמוֹת - he'oremot, "piles" or "mounds") formed at the temple gates. Verse 9 specifically highlights Hezekiah's reaction to this extraordinary bounty. It marks the transition from the people's act of giving to the royal and priestly administration of the provisions, demonstrating wise leadership in handling God's blessings.
2 Chronicles 31 9 Word analysis
- Then: (וַיִּשְׁאַ֣ל֙ - wayyišʾal, introducing a sequential action) Signifies a direct consequence of the immense offerings described in the preceding verses. It marks Hezekiah's active engagement and transition from commanding to inquiring, prompted by the extraordinary sight.
- Hezekiah: (חִזְקִיָּ֨הוּ - Ḥizqiyyahû) King of Judah (715-686 BC), presented as a righteous king who faithfully sought the Lord. His name means "Yahweh is my strength" or "Yahweh strengthens." His actions here demonstrate his deep piety, concern for divine order, and effective leadership in Judah's spiritual and practical life.
- questioned: (וַיִּשְׁאַ֣ל֙ - wayyišʾal from the verb שָׁאַל - sha'al) To ask, inquire, request, consult. This is not a question of suspicion or doubt, but rather a wise inquiry born out of wonder and a desire for understanding and proper management. It shows responsible governance and a seeking of wisdom from the proper authorities (priests and Levites). This act demonstrates a king who relies on the counsel of those entrusted with the sacred duties, reflecting good delegation and accountability.
- the priests: (הַכֹּהֲנִים֙ - hakkohanîm) The hereditary priestly class, descendants of Aaron, responsible for officiating at the temple and administering the holy things. They are the immediate beneficiaries and overseers of the offerings.
- and the Levites: (וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם - wəhallewiyyim) Members of the tribe of Levi who served the temple in various capacities—musicians, gatekeepers, temple servants, and assistants to the priests. They also were supported by tithes. Hezekiah addresses both groups, indicating a comprehensive concern for all temple workers.
- concerning: (לַגִּזְרָ֑ה - laggizrāh in some texts, or often inferred meaning of על al in context) In this case, it specifically refers to "the storehouses" or "compartment," referring to the designated areas where these provisions were being stored or ought to be stored. The LXX and other translations infer "concerning" due to the general subject matter. It directly relates to the management of these provisions.
- the heaps: (הַֽעֲרֵמ֑וֹת - ha‘aremôt, from the root עָרַם - aram, meaning "to pile up") Refers to the massive, accumulated piles or mounds of grain, wine, oil, and other provisions. The use of "heaps" emphasizes the extraordinary and overwhelming abundance, indicating that the people's generosity far exceeded what was merely expected or what had been seen in previous generations. These "heaps" were a visible sign of God's blessing on a repentant people, as foretold in scriptures regarding faithfulness (Mal 3:10, Prov 3:9-10).
Words-group analysis
- "Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites": This phrase highlights Hezekiah's exemplary leadership. Instead of making unilateral decisions about the unexpected abundance, he sought wisdom and clarification from those directly involved in temple service and its administration. This action underscores proper consultation and accountability within the spiritual and governmental structures, showing the king's respect for God's established order and His servants.
- "concerning the heaps": This short phrase encapsulates the immediate and pressing issue: how to handle the overwhelming blessing. The "heaps" are more than just physical provisions; they are tangible evidence of divine favor and the fruit of the people's obedient generosity. Hezekiah's inquiry points to a deep sense of stewardship, recognizing that such abundance must be managed according to God's will and for His purposes, especially the sustenance of those dedicated to His service. This set the stage for implementing robust organizational structures for storage and distribution.
2 Chronicles 31 9 Bonus section
- The sheer scale of the "heaps" of offerings suggests a level of generosity unmatched since the time of Solomon's dedication of the temple (compare 2 Chr 30:26). It symbolizes a spiritual breakthrough that manifested materially.
- Hezekiah's inquiry demonstrates a leadership quality where a leader recognizes a need to understand and properly administer the fruits of revival and obedience. It's a proactive response to abundance, not just scarcity.
- This incident underscores the divine pattern: God’s people provide for God’s work, enabling ministers to fully dedicate themselves to His service (1 Cor 9:13-14), and in return, God blesses their faithfulness with overflowing provision (Mal 3:10).
- The establishment of storehouses and overseers in the following verses (2 Chr 31:11-19) is a direct consequence of Hezekiah's careful inquiry here, showing the practical application of spiritual insight and good governance.
2 Chronicles 31 9 Commentary
2 Chronicles 31:9 portrays a critical moment of righteous leadership and divine blessing. After leading a profound spiritual reformation that saw the people respond with extraordinary generosity, King Hezekiah observed the resultant "heaps" of provisions at the temple gates. This unprecedented abundance, described as "heaps upon heaps" in verse 6, prompted his inquiry to the priests and Levites. His questioning was not born of suspicion or doubt, but of wise, responsible stewardship. He sought to understand the magnitude and proper handling of such an overflowing blessing, ensuring it aligned with God's law and would genuinely support the temple workers as intended. This verse is a testament to the principle that faithful obedience and generous giving lead to abundant provision from God. It also illustrates how wise leaders, upon witnessing God's blessings, seek counsel for diligent and organized management rather than letting resources be squandered or mismanaged. Hezekiah's actions in this verse pave the way for the organized administration of the provisions described in subsequent verses, establishing a robust system for the upkeep of those devoted to the service of the Lord. This ultimately ensured that the priests and Levites could fully devote themselves to their spiritual duties without being distracted by temporal concerns for food.