2 Chronicles 31

1 The people is forward in destroying idolatry.

2 Hezekiah orders the courses of the priests and Levites, and provides for their work and maintenance.

5 The people's forwardness in offerings and tithes.

11 Hezekiah appoints officers to dispose of the tithes.

20 The sincerity of Hezekiah.

31:1

When <03615> [Now when.]

Israelites ...................................... Israelites <03478> [all Israel.]

were <04672> [present. Heb. found.]

smashed <07665> [brake.]

sacred pillars <04676> [images. Heb. statues.]

Ephraim <0669> [in Ephraim.]

When <03615> [until, etc. Heb. until to make an end.]

31:2

divisions <04256> [the courses.]

give thanks <03034> [to give thanks.]

gates ..... sanctuary <08179 04264 03068> [in the gates of the tents of the Lord.]

{Besh„ƒrey machanoth Yehowah,} "within the gates of the camps of Jehovah;" which comprehended the whole of the buildings that surrounded the temple, in which the priests and Levites were stationed, and which resembled military encampments.

31:3

king <04428> [the king's.]

morning <01242> [for the morning.]

burnt sacrifices ....... burnt sacrifices .... burnt sacrifices <05930> [the burnt.]

new moon <02320> [for the new moons.]

festivals <04150> [the set feasts.]

31:4

portion prescribed <04521> [the portion.]

be obedient <02388> [that they might.]

law <08451> [the law.]

31:5

edict <01697> [as soon.]

issued <06555> [came abroad. Heb. brake forth. the first fruits.]

honey <01706> [honey. or, dates.]

The word {devash} generally denotes the honey produced by bees; but as we have already observed (on Ge 43:11,) the Jewish doctors are of opinion that it here signifies dates, of the fruit of the palm tree; which the Arabians call {daboos,} and the honey produced from them, {dibs.} "This liquor," says Dr. Shaw, "which has a more luscious sweetness than honey, is of the consistence of a thin syrup, but quickly grows tart and ropy, acquiring an intoxicating quality, and giving by distillation an agreeable spirit, or arÆ’ky, according to the general name of these people for all hot liquors, extracted by the alembic." Though Jehovah forbad any {devash,} or honey, to offered to him upon the altar, yet it appears it might be presented as first-fruits, or in the way of tithes, which were designed for the sustenance of the priests.

31:6

Israelites <01121> [the children.]

tenth ........... tenth <04643> [the tithe.]

many heaps <06194> [by heaps. Heb. heaps, heaps.]

31:7

31:8

praised <01288> [blessed.]

people <05971> [and his people.]

31:10

Azariah <05838> [Azariah.]

began <02490> [Since.]

plenty <07646> [we have had.]

Lord's .................. Lord <03068> [the Lord.]

31:11

storerooms <03957> [chambers. or, store-houses.]

31:12

consecrated items <06944> [the dedicated.]

Konaniah <03562> [over which.]

31:13

worked under <03027> [under. Heb. at. at the commandment.]

Azariah <05838> [Azariah.]

31:14

guard <07778> [the porter.]

voluntary offerings <05071> [the free-will.]

disbursed <05414> [to distribute.]

items <06944> [the most.]

31:15

Eden <05731> [next him. Heb. at his hand.]

Miniamin <04509> [Miniamin.]

Instead of {Miniamin,} Benjamin is the reading of three MSS., and of the Syriac, Arabic, LXX., and Vulgate.

cities <05892> [the cities.]

faithfully <0530> [set office. or, trust.]

regardless ... age <01419> [as well.]

31:16

daily <03117> [his daily.]

31:17

<03187> [genealogy.]

twenty <06242> [twenty.]

divisions <04256> [by their courses.]

31:18

faithfully <0530> [set office. or, trust.]

consecrated <06942> [they sanctified.]

31:19

outskirts <07704> [the fields.]

<0582> [the men.]

31:20

what ... did ..... did <06213> [wrought.]

31:21

law <08451> [in the law.]

wholeheartedly ... successfully <06213 03824> [he did it.]

successfully reinstituted <06743> [prospered.]