II Chronicles 31:13-19 · Bible study
2 Chronicles 31:13-19 Commentary: Organizing Faithful Distribution
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Learn how Hezekiah structured temple personnel to ensure tithes and offerings reached priests, Levites, and their families faithfully.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Hezekiah’s administrative system for distributing temple offerings to priests, Levites, and their families, including those in the country.
- Key words: Emunah (faithfulness, v.15,18), paqid (overseer, v.13), mipqad (appointment, v.13).
- Main debate: Whether this passage is purely descriptive history or prescriptive for church administration today.
- Theological theme: God’s provision for His servants requires faithful human stewardship.
- Best use: A model for integrity in church finances and care for ministers.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
13Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei, by appointment of King Hezekiah and of Azariah the chief official of the house of God.
14Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings given to God, distributing the contributions to the LORD and the consecrated gifts.
15Under 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.
16In 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—
17and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their duties and divisions.
18The genealogy included all the little ones, wives, sons, and daughters in the whole assembly. For they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy.
19As 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.
WEB World English Bible 2000
13Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of God’s house.
14Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper at the east gate, was over the free will offerings of God, to distribute Yahweh’s offerings and the most holy things.
15Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, to the great as well as to the small;
16in addition to those who were listed by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even everyone who entered into Yahweh’s house, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their divisions;
17and those who were listed by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their divisions;
18and those who were listed by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation; for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness.
19Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, who were in the fields of the pasture lands of their cities, in every city, there were men who were mentioned by name to give portions to all the males among the priests and to all who were listed by genealogy among the Levites.
KJV King James Version 1769
13And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
14And 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.
15And 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:
16Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
17Both 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;
18And 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:
19Also 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
13and Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
14And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the freewill-offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of Jehovah, and the most holy things.
15And under him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
16besides them that were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even every one that entered into the house of Jehovah, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their courses;
17and them that were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their courses;
18and them that were reckoned by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness.
19Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, that were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city, there were men that were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
13and Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, are inspectors under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah leader of the house of God.
14And Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper at the east, is over the willing-offerings of God, to give the heave-offering of Jehovah, and the most holy things.
15And by his hand are Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shechaniah, in cities of the priests, faithfully to give to their brethren in courses, as the great so the small,
16apart from their genealogy, to males from a son of three years and upward, to every one who hath gone in to the house of Jehovah, by the matter of a day in its day, for their service in their charges, according to their courses;
17and the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and of the Levites, from a son of twenty years and upward, in their charges, in their courses;
18and to the genealogy among all their infants, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters to all the congregation, for in their faithfulness they sanctify themselves in holiness.
19And to sons of Aaron, the priests, in the fields of the suburb of their cities, in every city and city, are men who have been defined by name, to give portions to every male among the priests, and to every one who reckoned himself by genealogy among the Levites.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
13And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Jismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the command of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
14And Kore the son of Jimnah the Levite, the doorkeeper toward the east, was over the voluntary-offerings of God, to distribute the heave-offerings of Jehovah, and the most holy things.
15And under him were Eden and Miniamin and Jeshua and Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in [their] set trust, to make distributions to their brethren by [their] divisions, to the great as to the small,
16besides those from three years old and upward who as males were entered in the genealogical register, — all that came into the house of Jehovah, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their charges, according to their divisions,
17— both to the priests enregistered according to their fathers' houses, and to the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges, by their divisions;
18and to all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, the whole congregation of those entered in the register; for in their trust they hallowed themselves to be holy.
19And for the sons of Aaron the priests who were in the country, in the suburbs of their cities, there were, in every several city, men expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all the Levites that were entered in the register.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
13And after him Jehiel, and Azarias, and Nahath, and Asael, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Jesmachias, and Mahath, and Banaias, overseers under the hand of Chonenias, and Semei his brother, by the commandment of Ezechias the king, and Azarias the high priest of the house of God, to whom all things appertained.
14But Core the son of Jemna the Levite, the porter of the east gate, was overseer of the things which were freely offered to the Lord, and of the firstfruits and the things dedicated for the holy of holies.
15And under his charge were Eden, and Benjamin, Jesue, and Semeias, and Amarias, and Sechenias, in the cities of the priests, to distribute faithfully portions to their brethren, both little and great:
16Besides the males from three years old and upward, to all that went into the temple of the Lord, and whatsoever there was need of in the ministry, and their offices according to their courses, day by day.
17To the priests by their families, and to the Levites from the twentieth year and upward, by their classes and companies.
18And to all the multitude, both to their wives, and to their children of both sexes, victuals were given faithfully out of the things that had been sanctified.
19Also of the sons of Aaron who were in the fields and in the suburbs of each city, there were men appointed, to distribute portions to all the males, among the priests and the Levites.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Chronicles 31:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Hezekiah responded to the abundant offerings (v.10) by establishing an orderly distribution system. Gill notes ten named assistants working under Conaniah and Shimei, each charged with specific duties. Barnes emphasizes that the administrators acted “in their office of trust”, the Hebrew emunah (faithfulness) appears in v.15 and v.18 as the hallmark of their service. Matthew Henry sees this as careful maintenance of the priesthood, ensuring that those who served the sanctuary were sustained. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown highlights that the provision for wives and children allowed priests to “sanctify themselves in holiness” without secular distraction. The system reached everyone: great and small, those in Jerusalem and those in the priestly cities, even those living in the fields (v.19). The Cambridge Bible notes the administrative layers: a chief overseer, a gatekeeper for freewill offerings, and six distributors in the country. Together these measures reflect a community that took God’s provision for His servants seriously, with transparent management and wide coverage.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Historical record view: This is a straightforward account of Hezekiah’s temple administration, grounded in the specific reform context of 2 Chronicles 29-31.
- Prescriptive model view: The emphasis on faithfulness (<em>emunah</em>) and the inclusion of all dependents suggests a lasting principle for provisioning religious workers.
- Chronicler’s apology view: The detailed administrative lists may reflect post-exilic concerns to legitimize the priesthood and temple system under Davidic reform.
What is clear: Hezekiah established a structured, multi-tiered system to faithfully distribute the abundance of tithes and offerings to every temple servant and their household.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Description vs Prescription | The passage records a historical reform under Hezekiah, showing careful distribution. | Some Christians see it as a normative model for church giving and administration; others view it as a unique Old Testament arrangement for the temple system. |
| Age of inclusion | Three-year-old males and twenty-year-old Levites are mentioned as categories receiving portions. | Why three years old? Some say it marks when a child could enter the temple; others think it is the age of genealogical enrollment. Similarly, the Levitical age (20) reflects David’s change from the earlier 30 (Numbers 4:3). |
| Distribution of 'most holy things' | These were offerings restricted to priests (Leviticus 6:14-18). | Did lay families eat them? Wesley says priests’ families were included because the priests sanctified themselves; others hold that only male priests ate these in the sanctuary. |
| Textual variant (Miniamin/Benjamin) | The name Miniamin appears in most Hebrew manuscripts. | Clarke notes that three Hebrew manuscripts and the Vulgate, Syriac, and Septuagint read 'Benjamin'. The difference does not affect the meaning. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage sits within Hezekiah’s sweeping religious reform (2 Chronicles 29, 31). After cleansing the temple and restoring Passover, Hezekiah commanded the people to bring tithes and offerings so that priests and Levites could focus on the law of Yahweh (31:4). The response was overwhelming: the people gave so much that Hezekiah had storehouses prepared (v.11). Our passage shows the administrative response to that abundance.
The hierarchy is carefully described. Conaniah and Shimei had already been appointed as general overseers of the offerings (v.12). Now ten named men serve as overseers under their hand (v.13). This reflects a chain of accountability tracing back to King Hezekiah and Azariah the high priest (called “ruler of God’s house”; see 1 Chronicles 9:11). Kore the gatekeeper had charge of freewill offerings, which were voluntary gifts (contrasted with obligatory tithes). The most holy things, sin offerings, trespass offerings, meal offerings (Leviticus 2:10, 6:14-18), could only be eaten by priests in the sanctuary, so careful distribution was essential.
Six Levites (Eden, Miniamin, etc.) were stationed in the cities of the priests (the Levitical towns listed in 1 Chronicles 6:54-60) to distribute portions locally. The passage also notes two age thresholds: males from three years old (perhaps the age when children could enter the temple or were enrolled) and Levites from twenty years old (David had lowered the age from thirty; see 1 Chronicles 23:24-27, as Clarke observes). Even the pastoral lands (migrash, suburbs) of the priests were covered, with designated men distributing to every male among the priests and Levites who lived in the country. No one was overlooked.
Textual Notes
The name Miniamin in v.15 is read as Benjamin in three of Kennicott’s and De Rossi’s Hebrew manuscripts, as well as the Vulgate, Syriac, Septuagint, and Arabic (Clarke). The Cambridge Bible notes that the syntax of verses 15, 18 is difficult and the text may be corrupt. Overall the passage is well preserved, and no variant alters the sense of the distribution system.
Reception History
In early Christian interpretation, this passage was used to teach the duty of supporting ministers of the gospel. Church orders such as the Apostolic Constitutions (4th century) appealed to Old Testament precedents like this for tithing and distribution. During the Reformation, both Catholic and Protestant commentators highlighted the principle that those who serve at the altar should live from the altar (1 Corinthians 9:13-14). The thoroughness of Hezekiah’s system, covering age groups, families, outlying towns, has been a model for church administrative structures ever since. In modern times, it is cited in discussions on church stewardship and financial transparency.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Faithful stewardship requires clear structure. Hezekiah appointed named individuals with defined roles, from the chief overseer down to city distributors. Accountability is spelled out.
- God provides for those who serve Him. The system ensured that every priest and Levite, great and small, young and old, in the cities and in the fields, received a portion. Provision matched the need.
- Faithfulness flows from the heart. The repeated word emunah (“faithfully”, v.15, 18) points to the motivation behind the distribution. Trustworthy servants enable the whole community to bless God.
Five-point outline
- Appointment of trustworthy leaders (v.13).
- Care for those in sacred service (v.14).
- Equal distribution to great and small (v.15).
- Inclusion of families, wives, sons, daughters (v.18).
- No one overlooked: priests in the country (v.19).
Illustration hooks
- A church food pantry that checks names against a list to ensure every family receives a share, structure prevents favoritism.
- A small church where the treasurer personally delivers the pastor’s quarterly gift to her doorstep, making sure the shepherd is fed.
- A missions committee that divides a budget equally among supported workers, with careful records of who gave and who received.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does my giving actually reach the people who need it?
- How can our church support our pastors and their families without creating bureaucracy?
- What does it look like to “sanctify ourselves in holiness” (v.18) when handling money for God’s work?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows how Hezekiah organized the flood of offerings so that every temple servant and their family received what they needed. The key word is emunah, faithfulness. The system was designed to be trustworthy from top to bottom.
Discussion questions
- What problem is the passage answering? (Read v.5-10 for context.)
- Who are the key leaders named in v.13-14? Why do you think the author lists so many names?
- What different categories of people receive portions? (v.15-19 lists several groups.)
- Why do you think the age thresholds (three years old, twenty years old) are mentioned? What does that suggest about how the community viewed children and young adults?
- The priests “sanctified themselves in holiness” (v.18). How does financial provision help people stay focused on their calling?
- In what ways does this passage challenge how our church handles offerings and supports its leaders?
- What would it look like for your small group to practice “faithfulness” in giving and distribution, even in small ways?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Chronicles 9:11 | and Azariah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house; |
| I Chronicles 24:5 | Thus they were divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. |
| II Chronicles 30:12 | Also the hand of God came on Judah to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by Yahweh’s word. |
| II Chronicles 31:4 | Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to Yahweh’s law. |
| II Chronicles 31:10 | Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since people began to bring the offerings into Yahweh’s house, we have eaten and had enough, and have plenty left over, for Yahweh has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.” |
| II Chronicles 31:11 | Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in Yahweh’s house, and they prepared them. |
| Nehemiah 11:11 | Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house, |
| Leviticus 2:10 | That which is left of the meal offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. It is a most holy part of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that David lowered the starting age for Levitical service from thirty to twenty, altering the rule Moses had established. He also notes textual variation in one name, with several ancient manuscripts and versions reading Benjamin instead of Miniamin.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that the distribution lists covered every priestly and Levitical family, including their wives, children, and those living in country towns. He notes that six Levites were stationed at the Levitical cities to ensure these faithful workers were not overlooked, even those away from Jerusalem. This shows systematic care for all.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the passage distinguishes three groups of priests: those in Jerusalem, those who presented themselves at the temple, and those living in the country. Eden and his colleagues distributed provisions to the first group, but not to priests who came in person to serve.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva notes emphasize the meticulous system Hezekiah established for distributing offerings to every eligible priest and Levite, including those as young as three years old and their entire households. The oversight was carefully delegated through appointed supervisors so that all who served in the temple received their rightful portion with faithfulness.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill details the meticulous administrative structure under Hezekiah: a hierarchy of overseers who distributed tithes and offerings to every registered priest and Levite, including their families. The distribution covered all, from three-year-old males upward, with portions given according to genealogical records and courses, even extending to those living in the suburban cities.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the provision for priests' families from sanctuary revenues was not mere charity. It freed them from secular work so they could devote themselves entirely to their ministerial duties. This support was essential to enable wholehearted, undistracted service in their sacred office.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes the meticulous system Hezekiah established for distributing tithes and offerings to the priests and Levites. Specific officers were appointed, genealogies recorded, and every person from three years old upward received their portion. For Henry, this orderly provision shows that faithful worship requires careful, fair support for those who serve.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the priests and their families received a living from the most holy offerings because the priests had set themselves apart from ordinary work and worldly business. This provision from the holy things was their due maintenance, since their sacred service kept them from earning a living by other means.