Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 31:19
As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farmlands around each of their cities or in any other city, men were designated by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed by the genealogies.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler narrates Hezekiah’s administrative reforms during the post-Passover reorganization of temple worship. The account details how the king structured provisions for the priestly and Levitical communities.
The words — The term מִגְרַשׁ (mig.Rash) denotes the open pasture land surrounding the cities, while בִּ/שְׂדֵי (bi/s.Dei) specifies the agricultural fields. Together they establish the geographic scope of the priestly and Levitical allotments.
The thread — This distribution system echoes the Levitical land regulations in Leviticus 25:34 and Numbers 35:2, which reserve city pasturelands and mandate Levitical inheritance. It also connects to the logistical framework established in 2 Chronicles 31:12, where appointed officers managed contributions and tithes.
Why it lands — The text records that designated officials distributed portions to every male priest and Levite according to their genealogical records. It requires the reader to recognize that worship support was structured around verifiable lineage and systematic provision rather than voluntary giving alone.
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
Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 31:12 And they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second.
- Leviticus 25:34 But the open pastureland around their cities may not be sold, for this is their permanent possession.
- Numbers 35:2 “Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities.
- 2 Chronicles 28:15 Then the men who were designated by name arose, took charge of the captives, and provided from the plunder clothing for the naked. They clothed them, gave them sandals and food and drink, anointed their wounds, and put all the feeble on donkeys. So they brought them to Jericho, the City of Palms, to their brothers. Then they returned to Samaria.
- 1 Chronicles 6:54 Now these were the territories assigned to the descendants of Aaron from the Kohathite clan for their settlements, because the first lot fell to them:
- 1 Chronicles 6:60 And from the tribe of Benjamin they were given Gibeon, Geba, Alemeth, and Anathoth, together with their pasturelands. So they had thirteen cities in all among their families.