2 Chronicles 31:19

Also 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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) Also of the sons of Aaron the priests.—Officers were likewise appointed to distribute portions. to the priests and Levites who dwelt on their farms. outside of the sacerdotal cities. Render, “and for the sons of Aaron the priests, in the farms of the pasturage of their cities, in each several city, there were men who were specified by names, to give portions to every male among the priests, and to every one that was registered among the Levites.”

Fields of the suburbs.—See Leviticus 25:34; Numbers 35:5.

Expressed by name.—See 1Chronicles 12:31; 2Chronicles 28:15.

To all that were reckoned by genealogies.—Registered. The relative is omitted before the verb hiththyahēsh, which is here the perfect as in 2Chronicles 31:18, not the infinitive as in 2Chronicles 31:16.

Benson Commentary

2 Chronicles 31:19. Also of the priests that were in the fields — Care was taken of those that lived in the country, though at the greatest distance, as well as of those that lived in or near Jerusalem. And they that were not waiting in their courses, but at home with their families, had provision made for them, as if they had been at the house of God, by the care of the fore-named persons, who had the charge of the whole.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

31:1-21 Hezekiah destroys idolatry. - After the passover, the people of Israel applied with vigour to destroy the monuments of idolatry. Public ordinances should stir us up to cleanse our hearts, our houses, and shops, from the filth of sin, and the idolatry of covetousness, and to excite others to do the same. The after-improvement of solemn ordinances, is of the greatest importance to personal, family, and public religion. When they had tasted the sweetness of God's ordinance in the late passover, they were free in maintaining the temple service. Those who enjoy the benefit of a settled ministry, will not grudge the expense of it. In all that Hezekiah attempted in God's service, he was earnest and single in his aim and dependence, and was prospered accordingly. Whether we have few or many talents intrusted to us, may we thus seek to improve them, and encourage others to do the same. What is undertaken with a sincere regard to the glory of God, will succeed to our own honour and comfort at last.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The country priests and Levites are here distinguished from those who dwelt in the towns. The writer means to note that not even were they neglected.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. for in their set office they sanctified themselves—This is the reason assigned for providing for the wives and children out of the revenues of the sanctuary, that priests, withdrawing from those secular pursuits by which they might have maintained their households, devoted themselves entirely to the functions of the ministry.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The priests, which were in the fields; who are opposed to those that lived in or resorted to the great city Jerusalem.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city,.... Which were allowed to them out of the several tribes, and where they dwelt, when it was not the turn of their course to officiate in the temple; now to these, as well as to those in Jerusalem, a portion was distributed for the support of them and their families:

the men that were expressed by name; before mentioned, 2 Chronicles 31:13, though some understand it of such as were nominated and appointed by them, and to act under them in the country:

to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites: as before declared.

Geneva Study Bible

Also 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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

19. also of the sons] R.V. also for the sons. The Chronicler now passes to a third class of priests, viz. those in the country; cp. 2 Chronicles 31:15 (note).

the suburbs] Cp. 1 Chronicles 5:16 (R.V. mg. “pasture-lands”); 1 Chronicles 6:55; 1 Chronicles 6:57 [40, 42, Heb.].

the men] R.V. there were men.

by genealogies] R.V. by genealogy.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. - The much more manifest meaning of this verse confirms the interpretation favoured just above for vers. 15, 17, 18. The men that were expressed by name; translate, men were expressed... to give. The purport of this verse is to say that all priests and Levites of full age were sacredly remembered and similarly carefully provided for, viz. those also who lived in the fields of the suburbs of the cities (Leviticus 25:32-34; Numbers 35:2-5). 2 Chronicles 31:19

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

And for the sons of Aaron, the priests, in the field of the districts of their cities (cf. Leviticus 25:34; Numbers 35:5), in each city were men (appointed) famous (בשׁמות נקּבוּ אשׁר, as in 2 Chronicles 28:15; see on 1 Chronicles 12:31), to give portions to each male among the priests, and to all that were registered among the Levites. As for the inhabitants of the priests' cities (2 Chronicles 31:15), so also for the priests and Levites dwelling in the pasture grounds of the priests' cities, were special officers appointed to distribute the priestly revenues.