2 Chronicles 31:4-10
31:4 He ordered 1 the people living in Jerusalem 2 to contribute the portion prescribed for the priests and Levites so they might be obedient 3 to the law of the Lord.
31:5 When the edict was issued, 4 the Israelites freely contributed 5 the initial portion of their grain, wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. They brought a tenth of everything, which added up to a huge amount.
31:6 The Israelites and people of Judah 6 who lived in the cities of Judah also contributed a tenth of their cattle and sheep, as well as a tenth of the holy items consecrated to the Lord their God. They brought them and placed them in many heaps. 7
31:7 In the third month they began piling their contributions in heaps 8 and finished in the seventh month.
31:8 When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they praised the Lord and pronounced blessings on his people Israel. 9
31:9 When Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps,
31:10 Azariah, the head priest from the family of Zadok, said to him, “Since the contributions began arriving in the Lord’s temple, we have had plenty to eat and have a large quantity left over. For the Lord has blessed his people, and this large amount remains.”
1 tn Heb “said to.”
2 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
3 tn Heb “might hold firmly.”
4 tn Heb “and when the word spread out.”
5 tn Heb “the sons of Israel multiplied.”
6 tn Heb “and the sons of Israel and Judah.”
7 tn Heb “heaps, heaps.” Repetition of the noun draws attention to the large number of heaps.
8 tn Heb “they began the heaps, to establish.”
9 tn Heb “they blessed the Lord and his people Israel.”