2 Crônicas 31
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 31
NJB (LXX versing) Idols Are Destroyed The Reforms of Hezekiah Hezekiah's Reform and His Re-establishment of the Priests and Levites Hezekiah Reforms Religious Life The Purification of the Country 31:1 31:1 31:1 31:1 31:1 The Reorganization of the Priests and Levites 31:2 31:2-4 31:2-10 31:2-3 31:2-8 Reforms Continued 31:3-10 31:4-10 31:5-10 31:9-19 31:11-19 31:11-19 31:11-19 31:11-19 31:20-21 31:20-21 31:20-21 31:20-21 31:20-21 Etc.
2 Crônicas 31:1
31:1 It was the worshipers (i.e., "all Israel who were present at the Passover") of chapter 30 who spread out over Judah, as well as Ephraim and Manasseh, destroying the Ba'al high places. broke the pillars ‒ a raised stone symbolizing Ba'al (i.e., a phallic symbol) cut down the Asherim ‒ a planted or carved tree on the raised stone platform symbolizing the tree of life pulled down the high places ‒ altars made of cut stone to form a raised platform for worship altars ‒ probably a reference to the incense altars (cf. 2 Chr. 28:24; 30:14) SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL'S MANDATED RESPONSE TO CANAANITE FERTILITY WORSHIP "as well as Ephraim and Manasseh" Why these two northern tribes are mentioned is uncertain (cf. 2 Chr. 30:1).
2 Crônicas 31:2
31:2 These divisions of the families of Levites to assigned tasks goes back to David (cf. 1 Chronicles 23-26; 28:13,21; 2 Chr. 28:13). "burnt offerings" These were free-will gifts totally burned on the altar of sacrifice, cf. Leviticus 1. "peace offerings" These were free-will gifts of which a part was burned (i.e., fat, blood) to YHWH given to the priest given to the offerer to eat within three days (Leviticus 3) Surprisingly, the two required offerings were not mentioned (i.e., sin and guilt, cf. Leviticus 4-6), nor the grain/meal offering (cf. Leviticus 2). "to give thanks and to praise in the gates" These two INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS (BDB 392, KB 389, Hiphil and BDB 237, KB 248, Piel) denote music and singing (cf. 1 Chr. 16:4; 23:30; 25:3; 2 Chr. 5:13; 31:2; Ezra 3:11; Neh. 12:24,26). The "in the gates" denotes "within the temple compound," not just at/in the gates. Music was a major part of the Israelite worship experience, thanks to David, the shepherd singer of Israel! "of the camp" This is an anachronism, going back to the tabernacle days of a portable sanctuary. The Chronicler likes to link back to the United Monarchy, especially David or here, possibly, back to Moses (see note at 2 Chr. 31:3).
2 Crônicas 31:3-10
31:3 The king was responsible for several offerings (cf. Ezek. 45:17,22; 46:2,16-18). the continual sabbaths new moons (cf. 1 Chr. 23:21; 2 Chr. 2:3; 8:13; 31:3) fixed festivals Notice these different offerings involved daily, weekly, monthly, and annual worship events (cf. 1 Chr. 23:31; 2 Chr. 2:4; 8:13), which reflects Gen. 1:14. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL "as it is written in the law of the Lord" Obedience to the Mosaic covenant (cf. Numbers 28) was a crucial aspect of Hezekiah's reform. Chronicles reaffirms over and over that YHWH had revealed Himself through Moses. The Mosaic guidelines were not from a human origin but from YHWH. All things must be done according to these guidelines (cf. 1 Chr. 6:89; 15:15; 16:40; 22:13; 2 Chr. 8:13; 23:18; 24:6; 25:4; 30:16; 33:8; 34:14; 35:6,12). 31:4-6 YHWH's people were to support the temple and its servants (cf. Numbers 18). 31:5 "the first fruits" The first ripened fruit and grain were given to YHWH as recognition of His ownership of all crops a thank offering for His blessings (i.e., good weather for good harvest) "honey" This would be honey from "dates" (Josephus), not "bees." It was given for the priests and Levites to eat but not to be put on the altar in the series of sacrifices. See NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 337, #4. "the tithe of all" "All" could be understood as all agricultural (v. 5) and pastoral (v. 6) required gifts all the people's portion (v. 4) In Numbers 18, YHWH's method for supporting the personnel of the tabernacle and later temple is spelled out. priests' portion (cf. Num. 18:8-20) part of animal sacrifices the wave offerings the grain/cereal offerings first fruits redemption price of firstborn a tithe from the Levites of the people's tithe (cf. Num. 18:26) Levites' portion (cf. Num. 18:21-32 ‒ the tithe of the people) SPECIAL TOPIC: TITHES IN THE MOSAIC LEGISLATION 31:7 "the seventh month" This harvest month (i.e., Tishri) has three scheduled corporate worship days. Feast of Trumpets Day of Atonement Feast of Booths/Tabernacles SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL 31:8 Hezekiah was surprised and blessed by the obedience of Judah's gifts to the temple. It is unusual that the king and his officials "blessed" the people; usually it was the priests. After Solomon's dedication of the temple in 2 Kgs. 8:66, the people "blessed" him. YHWH's covenant people took "blessings" seriously. They had an effect! 31:10 "Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok" Solomon exiled the priestly house of Abiathar (cf. 1 Kgs. 2:26-27). Both Zadok and Abiathar were high priests during David's reign. The descendants of Zadok are hard to follow because only some are named often names move through families A good brief summary is found in Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, "The Descendants of Zadok," pp. 375-376.
2 Crônicas 31:11-19
31:12 Here is a list of the things brought to the temple. the contributions, BDB 925 the tithes, BDB 798 the consecrated/dedicated things, BDB 871 freewill offerings, 2 Chr. 31:14, BDB 621 31:14 "the keeper of the eastern gate" This was the main entrance to the temple area. The inner shrine faced east. These Levitical gatekeepers controlled access to the sacred area. See IVP, Bible Background Commentary (OT), p. 454. "the most holy things" This referred to the priests' part of the sin and guilt offering. The blood of these was taken into the shrine, therefore, it became "most holy" and could be eaten only by priests (cf. Lev. 6:24-30; 7:1-6). 31:15 "the cities of the priests" See Joshua 20-21. SPECIAL TOPIC: CITIES OF REFUGE "whether great or small" This could be interpreted in two ways. age (cf. 2 Chr. 31:16) size of family or division 31:16 "their genealogical enrollment" The offices of priest and Levite were hereditary. The family lineage must be established. The Levites were given their portion of the gifts from "thirty" years up. All ancient versions and the MT have "three," but this number does not make sense with the following phrase. The UBS Text Project gives "3" an "A" rating, p. 479. However, NASB, NAB, TEV, and NJB emend it to "thirty" (cf. Num. 4:3,23,35; 1 Chr. 23:3). The forms are close. "three" ‒ BDB 1025, three forms שׁלשׁ שׁלשׁה שׁלושׁ "thirty" ‒ BDB1026, three forms שׁלשׁיםi (2 Chronicles, 9 times) שׁלשׁם שׁלושׁיםi (1 Chr. 11:15; 16:12) they appear together in 1 Chr. 3:4; 11:15; 29:24 31:17 The priests were given their portion of the gifts from "twenty" years up. "from twenty years old and upwards" This lower age requirement changes from period to period either because there was a five year apprenticeship the number of Levites was smaller and they needed more; even after fifty the Levites could do some things in temple service that required less physical strength see Hard Sayings of the Bible, p. 164 31:18 The gifts were shared with the priests' and Levites' families (except that which was "most holy"). 31:19 All of the Levitical families did not live close to Jerusalem but all shared. priests in offerings Levites in the tithe
2 Crônicas 31:20-21
31:20 Notice how Hezekiah's actions are characterized. what was good what was right what was true 31:21 Hezekiah did what was written in the law of Moses (v. 3) what was according to his heart which sought YHWH completely (this VERB "seek" is common in Chronicles, i.e., BDB 205, KB 233; as well as its SYNONYM, BDB 134, KB 152. Notice how both are used in 2 Chronicles 15: BDB 205; 15:12-15 BDB 134; 15:4,15 These are the twin requirements of the old covenant. obedience a heart for YHWH Himself 31:21 "prospered" This was a fulfillment of the blessings for covenant obedience found in Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28. Hezekiah was faithful, the people were faithful; all had abundance! This "prosperity" emphasis is often transferred to the NT but this is a performance-based covenant. The NT (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36) is a grace-based covenant. See Gordon Fee, The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospel. Prosperity is not the goal of the NT, but Christlikeness!