King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 31:10 Mean?

2 Chronicles 31:10 in the King James Version says “And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”

2 Chronicles 31:10 · KJV

Context

8

And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.

9

Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.

10

And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

11

Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them, chambers: or, storehouses

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.

Read 2 Chronicles 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Thorough removal of idolatry and support for priesthood. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַ֠יֹּאמֶר1 of 27

“answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֗יו2 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עֲזַרְיָ֧הוּ3 of 27

“And Azariah”

H5838

azarjah, the name of nineteen israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֛ן4 of 27

“priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הָרֹ֖אשׁ5 of 27

“the chief”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

בֵית6 of 27

“into the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

צָד֑וֹק7 of 27

“of Zadok”

H6659

tsadok, the name of eight or nine israelites

וַ֠יֹּאמֶר8 of 27

“answered”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מֵֽהָחֵ֨ל9 of 27

“Since the people began”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

הַתְּרוּמָ֜ה10 of 27

“the offerings”

H8641

a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute

לָבִ֣יא11 of 27

“to bring”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בֵית12 of 27

“into the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָה֙13 of 27

“for the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אָכ֨וֹל14 of 27

“to eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְשָׂב֤וֹעַ15 of 27

“we have had enough”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

וְהַנּוֹתָ֖ר16 of 27

“and have left”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

עַד17 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לָר֔וֹב18 of 27

“plenty”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

כִּ֤י19 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְהוָה֙20 of 27

“for the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בֵּרַ֣ךְ21 of 27

“hath blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶת22 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַמּ֔וֹ23 of 27

“his people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְהַנּוֹתָ֖ר24 of 27

“and have left”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

אֶת25 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הֶֽהָמ֥וֹן26 of 27

“is this great store”

H1995

a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth

הַזֶּֽה׃27 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 31:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 31:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 3:101 Chronicles 6:8Leviticus 26:4-5Genesis 39:52 Kings 4:43-44Proverbs 3:9

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