What does 2 Chronicles 31:15 mean?

"And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:" - 2 Chronicles 31:15

2 Chronicles 31:15 - "And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:"

The Bible verse 2 Chronicles 31:15 from the King James Version (KJV) states, "And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small." This verse comes from the historical books of the Old Testament in the Bible and is part of the larger narrative of the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah.

To truly understand the meaning and significance of this verse, it is important to consider the historical and cultural context in which it was written. During the time of King Hezekiah, the people of Judah were devout followers of Yahweh and the Levitical priesthood held a crucial position in the religious and social structure of the kingdom. The Levites were responsible for the care and maintenance of the Temple, as well as the administration of religious rites and rituals.

In 2 Chronicles 31, we see King Hezekiah implementing reforms to reinstate proper worship and dedicate resources to the service of the Lord. The verse in question specifically refers to the priests who were appointed to oversee the distribution of tithes and offerings among their fellow priests. The names listed in the verse were those who held these important positions in the cities of the priests. This demonstrates the organizational structure and management of the religious duties and responsibilities within the priesthood.

The theme of order and organization within the religious community is evident in this verse. The mention of the priests' "set office" and the distribution of resources "by courses" highlights the careful and deliberate planning that went into fulfilling the duties of the priesthood. It also underscores the importance of proper stewardship and accountability in the handling of the offerings and tithes brought by the people.

Furthermore, the verse speaks to the inclusivity of the religious practices in ancient Judah. The priests were responsible for distributing resources "as well to the great as to the small," indicating that all members of the community, regardless of their social status or wealth, were to receive support and provision from the offerings brought to the Temple. This reflects the egalitarian ethos of the Israelite religion, which emphasized justice and care for the marginalized and vulnerable members of society.

In addition to its practical and administrative aspects, the verse also carries symbolic and spiritual significance. The meticulous distribution of resources by the priests mirrors the concept of divine provision and the idea of God as the ultimate provider. The priests, in their role as mediators between the people and God, were responsible for ensuring that the offerings brought to the temple were used to support the entire religious community. This reflects the biblical theme of trust in God's provision and the responsibility of believers to steward resources wisely for the benefit of all.

Overall, 2 Chronicles 31:15 offers valuable insights into the organized and inclusive nature of religious practices in ancient Judah. It emphasizes the importance of order, accountability, and justice in the administration of religious duties, while also pointing to the deeper spiritual concepts of provision and stewardship. As modern readers, we can draw from this verse the principles of careful planning and management in our own service to God and others, as well as the importance of inclusivity and care for all members of the community.

2 Chronicles 31:15 Artwork

2 Kings 15:31 - "And the rest of the acts of Pekah, and all that he did, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Chronicles 31:9 - "Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps."

1 Kings 15:31 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"

2 Chronicles 31:11 - "¶ Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,"

1 Chronicles 2:15 - "Ozem the sixth, David the seventh:"

2 Chronicles 4:15 - "One sea, and twelve oxen under it."

1 Chronicles 2:31 - "And the sons of Appaim; Ishi. And the sons of Ishi; Sheshan. And the children of Sheshan; Ahlai."

2 Chronicles 31:7 - "In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month."

2 Kings 15:15 - "And the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Chronicles 31:8 - "And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel."

2 Chronicles 15:1 - "And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:"

2 Chronicles 31:17 - "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;"

1 Chronicles 8:31 - "And Gedor, and Ahio, and Zacher."

Joshua 15:31 - "And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,"

2 Chronicles 17:15 - "And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand."

2 Chronicles 15:19 - "And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa."

2 Chronicles 15:14 - "And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets."

2 Chronicles 31:4 - "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."

2 Chronicles 31:20 - "¶ And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God."

2 Kings 15:11 - "And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel."

2 Chronicles 31:18 - "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:"

2 Chronicles 31:12 - "And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next."

2 Chronicles 15:12 - "And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;"

2 Chronicles 6:31 - "That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers."

2 Chronicles 15:10 - "So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa."

2 Kings 15:6 - "And the rest of the acts of Azariah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

1 Chronicles 1:31 - "Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These are the sons of Ishmael."

2 Chronicles 9:31 - "And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead."

2 Chronicles 31:14 - "And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things."