Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 31:4
Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Hezekiah commands the inhabitants of Jerusalem to provide a portion for the priests and Levites. This order follows his personal contributions for temple offerings and precedes the Israelites' generous response.
The words — The Hebrew term מְנָת (me.Nat) literally means "portion" or "allotment," designating the specific material support mandated for the priestly and Levitical classes.
The thread — This provision operationalizes the tithe system detailed in Numbers 18:8 and Numbers 18:26, and fulfills the priestly instruction mandate referenced in Malachi 2:7.
Why it lands — The text requires the community to financially sustain those dedicated to teaching and maintaining the Law. Readers must recognize that religious devotion depends on institutional support rather than voluntary enthusiasm 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
Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.
Cross-references
- Malachi 2:7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
- Numbers 18:8 Then the LORD said to Aaron, “Behold, I have put you in charge of My offerings. As for all the sacred offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute.
- Numbers 18:26 “Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you as your inheritance, you must present part of it as an offering to the LORD—a tithe of the tithe.
- Nehemiah 13:10 I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields.
- 1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
- Galatians 6:6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.
- Leviticus 27:30 Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 31:16 In addition, they distributed portions to the males registered by genealogy who were three years of age or older—to all who would enter the house of the LORD for their daily duties for service in the responsibilities of their divisions—
- Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings.