Tithes for the Priests and Levites
2 Chronicles 31
After the feast, the people destroy the remaining high places and altars, and Ezekias organizes the priests and Levites into their courses while the people bring in abundant tithes and firstfruits, which are stored and distributed faithfully.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAND when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out through the cities of Juda, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the arbours, and demolished the high places, and the mounts, throughout all Judea and Benjamin, and out of all Ephraim, and Manasses, till they were utterly destroyed. Then all Israel returned, every one to his possession and to their cities.
BrentonAnd when all these things were finished, all Israel that were found in the cities of Juda went out, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the groves, and tore down the high places and the altars out of all Judea and Benjamin, also of Ephraim and Manasse, till they made an end: and all Israel returned, every one to his inheritance, and to their cities.
GreekΚαὶ ὡς συνετελέσθη πάντα ταῦτα, ἐξῆλθε πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ οἱ εὑρεθέντες ἐν πόλεσιν Ἰούδα, καὶ συνέτριψαν τὰς στήλας, καὶ ἔκοψαν τὰ ἄλση, καὶ κατέσπασαν τὰ ὑψηλὰ καὶ τοὺς βωμοὺς ἀπὸ πάσης τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Βενιαμὶν, καὶ ἐξ Ἐφραὶμ, καὶ ἀπὸ Μανασσῆ ἕως εἰς τέλος· καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ ἕκαστος εἰς τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἰς τὰς πόλεις αὐτῶν.
KJVNow 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.
JPSNow when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
2
ThomsonAnd Ezekias re-established the courses of the priests, and of the Levites, and the courses of each individual among the priests and the Levites, according to his particular service for the burnt offerings, and for the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and to praise and give thanks, and to attend at the gates in the courts of the house of the Lord.
BrentonAnd Ezekias appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites, and the courses of each one according to his ministry, to the priests and to the Levites, for the whole-burnt-offering, and for the peace-offering, and to praise, and to give thanks, and to minister in the gates and in the courts of the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ ἔταξεν Ἐζεκίας τὰς ἐφημερίας τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν, καὶ τὰς ἐφημερίας ἑκάστου κατὰ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ λειτουργίαν, τοῖς ἱερεῦσι καὶ τοῖς Λευίταις, εἰς τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν, καὶ εἰς τὴν θυσίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου, καὶ αἰνεῖν, καὶ ἐξομολογεῖσθαι, καὶ λειτουργεῖν ἐν ταῖς πύλαις ἐν ταῖς αὐλαῖς οἴκου Κυρίου.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priest and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt-offerings and for peace-offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD.
3
ThomsonAnd the king assigned a part of his substance for the morning and evening whole burnt offerings, and for the whole burnt offerings on the sabbaths, and at the new moons, and at the festivals prescribed in the law of the Lord.
BrentonAnd the king's proportion out of his substance was appointed for the whole-burnt-offerings, the morning and the evening one, and the whole-burnt-offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the feasts that were ordered in the law of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ μερὶς τοῦ βασιλέως ἐκ τῶν ὑπαρχόντων αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰς ὁλοκαυτώσεις τὴν πρωϊνὴν καὶ τὴν δειλινὴν, καὶ ὁλοκαυτώσεις εἰς τὰ σάββατα, καὶ εἰς τὰς νουμηνίας, καὶ εἰς τὰς ἑορτὰς τὰς γεγραμμένας ἐν τῷ νόμῳ Κυρίου.
KJVHe 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.
JPSHe 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 appointed seasons, as it is written in the Law of the LORD.
4
ThomsonAnd the people who dwelt in Jerusalem were ordered to give the portion which belonged to the priests and the Levites, that they might be enabled to attend to the service of the house of the Lord.
BrentonAnd they told the people who dwelt in Jerusalem, to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be strong in the ministry of the house of the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν τῷ λαῷ τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ἐν Ἱερουσαλὴμ, δοῦναι τὴν μεριδα τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν, ὅπως κατισχύσωσιν ἐν τῇ λειτουργίᾳ οἴκου Κυρίου.
KJVMoreover 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.
JPSMoreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of the LORD.
5
ThomsonAnd soon as he published the order, Israel brought, in abundance, dedications of corn and wine, and oil and honey. Both the children of Israel and of Juda, brought abundantly the productions of the field, and all the tithes.
BrentonAnd as he gave the command, Israel brought abundantly first-fruits of corn, and wine, and oil, and honey, and every fruit of the field: and the children of Israel and Juda brought tithes of everything abundantly.
GreekΚαὶ ὡς προσέταξεν τὸν λόγον, ἐπλεόνασεν Ἰσραὴλ ἀπαρχὴν σίτου, καὶ οἴνου, καὶ ἐλαίου, καὶ μέλιτος, καὶ πᾶν γέννημα ἀγροῦ, καὶ ἐπιδέκατα πάντα εἰς πλῆθος ἤνεγκαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ καὶ Ἰούδα.
KJVAnd as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
JPSAnd as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
6
ThomsonAnd they who dwelt in the cities of Juda brought the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of goats, and dedicated them to the Lord their God. And what they brought was stored up in heaps.
BrentonAnd they that dwelt in the cities of Juda themselves also brought tithes of calves and sheep, and tithes of goats, and consecrated them to the Lord their God, and they brought them and laid them in heaps.
GreekΚαὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν Ἰούδα καὶ αὐτοὶ ἤνεγκαν ἐπιδέκατα μόσχων καὶ προβάτων, καὶ ἐπιδέκατα αἰγῶν, καὶ ἡγίασαν τῷ Κυρίῳ Θεῷ αὐτῶν, καὶ εἰσήνεγκαν καὶ ἔθηκαν σωροὺς σωρούς.
KJVAnd concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
JPSAnd the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of hallowed things which were hallowed unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
7
ThomsonThe heaping was begun in the third month and finished in the seventh.
BrentonIn the third month the heaps began to be piled, and in the seventh month they were finished.
GreekἘν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ τρίτῳ ἤρξαντο οἱ σωροὶ θεμελιοῦσθαι, καὶ ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ἑβδόμῳ συνετελέσθησαν.
KJVIn the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
JPSIn the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
8
ThomsonAnd when Ezekias came with the chiefs, and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord and His people Israel.
BrentonAnd Ezekias and the princes came and saw the heaps, and blessed the Lord, and his people Israel.
GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν Ἐζεκίας καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες, καὶ εἶδον τοὺς σωροὺς, καὶ ηὐλόγησαν τὸν Κύριον καὶ τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ Ἰσραήλ·
KJVAnd when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
JPSAnd when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and His people Israel.
9
ThomsonThen Ezekias questioned the priests and the Levites, touching the heaps;
BrentonThen Ezekias enquired of the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπυνθάνετο Ἐζεκίας τῶν ἱερέων καὶ τῶν Λευιτῶν ὑπὲρ τῶν σωρῶν.
KJVThen Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
JPSThen Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
10
Thomsonand Azarias the priest, the head of the house of Sadok, answered him and said, From the time the dedications began to be brought to the house of the Lord, we have eaten and drunk, and left in great abundance. Because the Lord hath blessed his people, therefore we have this great superabundance left.
BrentonAnd Azarias the priest, the chief over the house of Sadoc, spoke to him, and said, From the time that the first-fruits began to be brought into the house of the Lord, we have eaten and drunk, and left even abundantly; for the Lord has blessed his people, and we have left to this amount.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Ἀζαρίας ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ ἄρχων εἰς οἶκον Σαδὼκ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἐξ οὗ ἦρκται ἡ ἀπαρχὴ φέρεσθαι εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου, ἐφάγομεν καὶ ἐπίομεν καὶ κατελίπομεν ἕως εἰς πλῆθος, ὅτι Κύριος ηὐλόγησε τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατελίπομεν ἐπὶ τὸ πλῆθος τοῦτο.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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 eaten and had enough, and have left plenty; for the LORD hath blessed His people; and that which is left is this great store.’
11
ThomsonThereupon Ezekias ordered them to prepare storehouses for the house of the Lord. And when they had prepared them,
BrentonAnd Ezekias told them yet farther to prepare chambers for the house of the Lord; and they prepared them,
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἐζεκίας ἔτι ἑτοιμάσαι παστοφόρια εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου· καὶ ἡτοίμασαν,
KJVThen Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,
JPSThen Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them.
12
Thomsonthey stored up therein the dedications and the tithes for a common stock. And over them Chonenias the Levite, was overseer, and his brother Semei was his deputy.
Brentonand they brought thither the first-fruits and the tithes faithfully: and Chonenias the Levite was superintendent over them, and Semei his brother was next.
Greekκαὶ ἤνεγκαν ἐκεῖ τὰς ἀπαρχὰς καὶ τὰ ἐπιδέκατα ἐν πίστει· καὶ ἐπʼ αὐτῶν ἐπιστάτης Χωνενίας ὁ Λευίτης, καὶ Σεμεῒ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ διαδεχόμενος·
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd they brought in the offerings and the tithes and the hallowed things faithfully; and over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was second.
13
ThomsonAnd Jeiel and Ozias, and Naeth and Asuel, and Jerimoth and Jozabad, and Eliel and Samachia, and Maath and Banaias, with his sons, were appointed storekeepers, by Chonenias and his brother Semei, as Ezekias the king and Azarias the ruler of the house of the Lord commanded.
BrentonAnd Jeiel, and Ozias, and Naeth, and Asael, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Samachia, and Maath, and Banaias, and his sons, were appointed by Chonenias and Semei his brother, as Ezekias the king, and Azarias who was over the house of the Lord commanded.
GreekΚαὶ Ἰεϊὴλ, καὶ Ὀζίας, καὶ Ναὲθ, καὶ Ἀσαὴλ, καὶ Ἰεριμὼθ, καὶ Ἰωζαβὰδ, καὶ Ἐλιὴλ, καὶ ὁ Σαμαχία, καὶ Μαὰθ, καὶ Βαναΐας, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ καθεσταμένοι διὰ Χωνενίου καὶ Σεμεῒ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, καθὼς προσέταξεν Ἐζεκίας ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ Ἀζαρίας ὁ ἡγούμενος οἴκου Κυρίου.
KJV—
JPS—
14
ThomsonAnd Kore, the son of Jemna the Levite, the keeper of the eastern gate, was over the free-will offerings, to distribute by the agency of Edom, the oblations to the Lord, and the most holy things.
BrentonAnd Core, the son of Jemna the Levite, the porter eastward, was over the gifts, to distribute the first-fruits of the Lord, and the most holy things,
GreekΚαὶ Κορὴ ὁ τοῦ Ἰεμνὰ ὁ Λευίτης ὁ πυλωρὸς κατὰ ἀνατολὰς ἐπὶ τῶν δομάτων, δοῦναι τὰς ἀπαρχὰς Κυρίου, καὶ τὰ ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων,
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the freewill-offerings of God, to distribute the offerings of the LORD, and the most holy things.
15
ThomsonAnd Benjamin and Jesus, and Semei and Amarias, and Sechonias were, by the agency of trusty priests, to distribute to their brethren, according to their courses, both to great and small
Brentonby the hand of Odom, and Benjamin, and Jesus, and Semei, and Amarias, and Sechonias, by the hand of the priests faithfully, to give to their brethren according to the courses, as well to great as small;
Greekδιὰ χειρὸς Ὀδὸμ, καὶ Βενιαμὶν, καὶ Ἰησοὺς, καὶ Σεμεῒ, καὶ Ἀμαρίας, καὶ Σεχονίας, διὰ χειρὸς τῶν ἱερέων ἐν πίστει, δοῦναι τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτῶν κατὰ τὰς ἐφημερίας, κατὰ τὸν μέγαν καὶ τὸν μικρὸν,
KJVAnd 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:
JPSAnd 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;
16
Thomsonexcepting infants, to every male from three years old and upwards—to everyone who went into the house of the Lord, a stated portion every day for the service in the courses of their appointment;
Brentonbesides the increase of males from three years old and upward, to every one entering into the house of the Lord, a portion according to a daily rate, for service in the daily courses of their order.
Greekἐκτὸς τὴς ἐπιγονῆς τῶν ἀρσενικῶν ἀπὸ τριετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω, παντὶ τῷ εἰσπορευομένῳ εἰς οἶκον Κυρίου, εἰς λόγον ἡμερῶν εἰς ἡμέραν, εἰς λειτουργείαν ἐφημερίαις διατάξεως αὐτῶν·
KJVBeside 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;
JPSbeside them that were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even every one that entered into the house of the LORD, for his daily portion, for their service in their charges according to their courses;
17
Thomsonthis being the enrollment of the priests according to their genealogy. But to the Levites, who in their courses were enrolled from twenty years old and upwards,
BrentonThis is the distribution of the priests according to the houses of their families; and the Levites in their daily courses from twenty years old and upward were in their order,
GreekΟὗτος ὁ καταλοχισμὸς τῶν ἱερέων κατʼ οἴκους πατριῶν· καὶ οἱ Λευῖται ἐν ταῖς ἐφημερίαις αὐτῶν ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω ἐν διατάξει,
KJVBoth 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;
JPSand them that were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
18
Thomson—
Brentonto assign stations for all the increase of their sons and their daughters, for the whole number: for they faithfully sanctified the holy place.
Greekἐγκαταλοχίσαι ἐν πάσῃ ἐπιγονῇ υἱῶν αὐτῶν καὶ θυγατέρων αὐτῶν εἰς πᾶν πλῆθος, ὅτι ἐν πίστει ἥγνισαν τὸ ἅγιον·
KJVAnd 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:
JPS—
19
ThomsonAnd of the Aaronites, who officiated as priests, there were some men of their cities, expressly nominated in every city, to distribute a portion to every male among the priests, and to every one numbered among the Levites.
BrentonAs for the sons of Aaron that executed the priests' office,—even those from their cities, the men in each several city who were named expressly,— were appointed to give a portion to every male among the priests, and to every one reckoned among the Levites.
GreekΤοῖς υἱοῖς Ἀαρὼν τοῖς ἱερατεύουσι, καὶ οἱ ἀπὸ τῶν πόλεων αὐτῶν ἐν πάσῃ πόλει καὶ πόλει ἄνδρες οἳ ὠνομάσθησαν ἐν ὀνόματι, δοῦναι μερίδα παντὶ ἀρσενικῷ ἐν τοῖς ἱερεῦσι, καὶ παντὶ καταριθμουμένῳ ἐν τοῖς Λευίταις.
KJVAlso 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.
JPSalso for the sons of Aaron the priests, that were in the fields of the open land about 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.
20
ThomsonThus did Ezekias through all Juda, and he did what was right in the sight of the Lord his God.
BrentonAnd Ezekias did so through all Juda, and did that which was good and right before the Lord his God.
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν οὕτως Ἐζεκίας ἐν παντὶ Ἰούδα, καὶ ἐποίησε τὸ καλὸν καὶ τὸ εὐθὲς ἐναντίον τοῦ Κυρίου Θεοῦ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
JPSAnd thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah; and he wrought that which was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God.
21
ThomsonAnd in every work which he undertook in the service of the house of the Lord, and in the law and in the statutes, he sought his God with his whole heart, and did it and prospered.
BrentonAnd in every work which he began in service in the house of the Lord, and in the law, and in the ordinances, he sought his God with all his soul, and wrought, and prospered.
GreekΚαὶ ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ᾧ ἤρξατο ἐν ἐργασίᾳ ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου, καὶ ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ ἐν τοῖς προστάγμασιν, ἐξεζήτησε τὸν Θεὸν αὐτοῦ ἐξ ὅλης ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐποίησε καὶ εὐοδώθη.
KJVAnd in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
JPSAnd in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.