2 Chronicles 31

Hezekiah's Religious Reforms

¹Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

²Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the LORD’s camp.

³He also appointed the king’s portion of his possessions for the burnt offerings: for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the LORD’s law.

⁴Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the LORD’s law.

⁵As soon as the commandment went out, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the increase of the field; and they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly.

⁶The children of Israel and Judah, who lived in the cities of Judah, also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and laid them in heaps.

⁷In the third month, they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.

⁸When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and his people Israel.

⁹Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps.

¹⁰Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since people began to bring the offerings into the LORD’s house, we have eaten and had enough, and have plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”

¹¹Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in the LORD’s house, and they prepared them.

¹²They brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was ruler over them, and Shimei his brother was second.

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 the LORD’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 the LORD’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.

²⁰Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before the LORD his God.

²¹In every work that he began in the service of God’s house, in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart and prospered.

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Following the successful Passover celebration, King Hezekiah leads comprehensive religious reforms throughout Judah and beyond, systematically destroying idolatrous worship sites and reestablishing proper temple worship. The king reorganizes the priestly divisions, ensures adequate provision for temple services from his own resources, and commands the people to support the priests and Levites through tithes and offerings. The people respond with overwhelming generosity, bringing such abundant offerings that storage facilities must be prepared and administrators appointed to manage the surplus.

Context

This chapter follows the great Passover celebration in chapter 30 and demonstrates the lasting impact of Hezekiah's spiritual revival on both worship practices and popular devotion.

Key Themes

Outline

1
Destruction of Idolatrous Sites The people systematically destroy pillars, Asherah poles, high places, and altars throughout the land.
2-3
Reorganization of Temple Worship Hezekiah reestablishes priestly divisions and provides royal funding for regular burnt offerings and festivals.
4-8
Abundant Popular Response The people generously bring tithes and offerings in such abundance that they form great heaps over several months.
9-19
Administrative Organization Officials are appointed to manage the surplus offerings and ensure proper distribution to priests and Levites throughout the cities.
20-21
Summary of Hezekiah's Faithfulness The chapter concludes by affirming Hezekiah's wholehearted devotion and resulting prosperity.

Hezekiah's Religious Reforms

31:1–31:21

narrative narration triumphant

Following the Passover celebration, the people destroy idolatrous objects throughout the land. Hezekiah reorganizes temple worship and the people respond with abundant offerings and tithes.

person_contrast

Hezekiah appears in 44 biblical passages typically associated with judgment and authority, yet here uniquely combines idol destruction with meticulous temple stewardship and voluntary popular obedience.

Insight Character Study

Cross-References

Connected passages across Scripture

2 Chronicles 31:1 5 references

Lexicals 5

Deuteronomy 7:5 Lexical

But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, cut down their…

6 shared words

Deuteronomy 12:3 Lexical

You shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, and burn their Asherah poles with fire. You shall cut d…

6 shared words

2 Chronicles 34:4 Lexical

They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them…

5 shared words

Exodus 34:13 Lexical

but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles;

5 shared words

2 Chronicles 34:7 Lexical

He broke down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altar…

4 shared words

2 Chronicles 31:2 5 references

Lexicals 5

2 Chronicles 8:14 Lexical

He appointed, according to the ordinance of David his father, the divisions of the priests to their service, and the Lev…

6 shared words

2 Chronicles 30:22 Lexical

Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of the LORD. So they ate throu…

4 shared words

1 Chronicles 16:4 Lexical

He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the LORD’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the LORD…

4 shared words

2 Chronicles 35:10 Lexical

So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites by their divisions, according to the…

2 Chronicles 31

Hezekiah's Religious Reforms

Hezekiah's Religious Reforms

Insights

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 31:1 5 references

2 Chronicles 31:2 5 references

2 Chronicles 31:3 5 references

2 Chronicles 31:4 1 reference

2 Chronicles 31:5 5 references

2 Chronicles 31:6 5 references

2 Chronicles 31:7 2 references

2 Chronicles 31:12 5 references

2 Chronicles 31:13 3 references

2 Chronicles 31:14 4 references

2 Chronicles 31:16 4 references

2 Chronicles 31:17 1 reference

2 Chronicles 31:19 1 reference

2 Chronicles 31:21 4 references

Interlinear

Historical Context