Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 31:17
and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their responsibilities and divisions.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Hezekiah’s officials distribute temple provisions to priests and Levites during the restoration of Judah’s worship system. The text specifies the exact criteria for receiving these portions based on recorded lineage and assigned duties.
The words — הִתְיַחֵשׂ (hit.ya.Ches) = genealogical enrolment, and עֶשְׂרִים ('es.Rim) = twenty. These terms anchor the verse’s requirement that service eligibility and provision depend on documented family records and a specific age threshold.
The thread — The same lineage and age protocols appear in 1 Chronicles 23:24 and 1 Chronicles 23:27, while Numbers 3:15 establishes the earlier Mosaic standard for numbering Levites. This verse applies those census criteria to the temple’s ongoing distribution logistics.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to see that access to sacred provision is governed by verified genealogy and assigned responsibilities. It asks a reader to track how recorded identity directly determines eligibility for communal support.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 23:24 These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 23:27 For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted,
- Numbers 3:15 “Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”
- Numbers 3:20 And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.
- Numbers 4:3 men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 4:38 Then the Gershonites were numbered by their clans and families,
- Numbers 4:42 And the Merarites were numbered by their clans and families,
- Numbers 4:46 So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered by their clans and families all the Levites
- Numbers 8:24 “This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 17:2 “Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man’s name on his staff,