King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 31:2 Mean?

2 Chronicles 31:2 in the King James Version says “And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his servic...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.”

2 Chronicles 31:2 · KJV

Peace

Context

1

Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. present: Heb. found images: Heb. statues until: Heb. until to make an end

2

And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.

3

He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.

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 · 21 words
וַיַּֽעֲמֵ֣ד1 of 21

“appointed”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

יְחִזְקִיָּ֡הוּ2 of 21

“And Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

אֶת3 of 21
H853

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

מַחְלְקוֹתָ֞ם4 of 21

“after their courses”

H4256

a section (of levites, people or soldiers)

לַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙5 of 21

“of the priests”

H3548

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

וְלַלְוִיִּ֔ם6 of 21

“and Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

עַֽל7 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מַחְלְקוֹתָ֞ם8 of 21

“after their courses”

H4256

a section (of levites, people or soldiers)

אִ֣ישׁ׀9 of 21

“every man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

כְּפִ֣י10 of 21

“according”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

עֲבֹֽדָת֗וֹ11 of 21

“to his service”

H5656

work of any kind

לַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙12 of 21

“of the priests”

H3548

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

וְלַלְוִיִּ֔ם13 of 21

“and Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

לְעֹלָ֖ה14 of 21

“for burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וְלִשְׁלָמִ֑ים15 of 21

“and for peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

לְשָׁרֵת֙16 of 21

“to minister”

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

וּלְהֹד֣וֹת17 of 21

“and to give thanks”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

וּלְהַלֵּ֔ל18 of 21

“and to praise”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

בְּשַֽׁעֲרֵ֖י19 of 21

“in the gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

מַֽחֲנ֥וֹת20 of 21

“of the tents”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

יְהוָֽה׃21 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 31:2 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 31:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 24:11 Chronicles 23:1-262 Chronicles 29:24-262 Chronicles 8:14Jeremiah 33:11Psalms 134:1-135:3

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