2 Chronicles 31:18

The genealogy included all the little ones, wives, sons, and daughters of the whole assembly. For they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator documents the administrative implementation of Hezekiah’s temple reforms, specifying the demographic scope of the sacred registry. The record extends beyond adult clergy to include every family member because the entire community had formally set themselves apart.

The words — The term וּ/לְ/הִתְיַחֵ֗שׂ (u./le./hit.ya.Ches) denotes a formal genealogical enrolment, while קָהָ֑ל (ka.Hal) identifies the registered group as the whole assembly. These lexical choices establish that the official record encompasses every household demographic, not merely ordained personnel.

The thread — This registration practice parallels the gatekeeper lists in 1 Chronicles 9:22 and the distribution rolls in 2 Chronicles 31:15. The stated reason for inclusion, faithful consecration, aligns with the theological premise in Isaiah 5:16 that holiness is demonstrated through righteous action.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that communal sacred service structurally includes dependents and spouses, not just adult workers. It demands precise documentation as the necessary mechanism for equitable resource distribution and verified obedience.

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

וּלְהִתְיַחֵ֗שׂu./le./hit.ya.Chesand/ to/ genealogical enrolment בְּכָל־be./kholwith/ all טַפָּ֧םta.Pa/mlittle one[s]/ their נְשֵׁיהֶ֛םne.shei./Hemwives/ their וּבְנֵיהֶ֥םu./ve.nei./Hemand/ sons/ their וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶ֖םu./ve.no.tei./Hemand/ daughters/ their לְכָל־le./kholto/ all קָהָ֑לka.Hal[the] assembly כִּ֥יkifor בֶאֱמוּנָתָ֖םve./'e.mu.na.Ta/min/ faithfulness/ their יִתְקַדְּשׁוּ־yit.ka.de.shu-they had consecrated themselves קֹֽדֶשׁ׃Ko.deshholiness

King James Version

And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:

Cross-references

1 Chronicles 9:22 The number of those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds was 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed them to their positions of trust.
2 Chronicles 31:15 Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike.
Isaiah 5:16 But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness.
Romans 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.