2 Chronicles 31:18
The genealogy included all the little ones, wives, sons, and daughters in the whole assembly. For they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy.
The genealogy included all the little ones, wives, sons, and daughters of the whole assembly.
This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the genealogical records kept by the Israelites. Genealogies were crucial in ancient Israel for maintaining tribal and family identities, inheritance rights, and fulfilling religious duties. The inclusion of "little ones, wives, sons, and daughters" underscores the importance of every family member in the covenant community. This reflects the communal aspect of worship and service to God, where each person, regardless of age or gender, had a role. The "whole assembly" indicates the collective participation of the Israelites in religious life, emphasizing unity and shared responsibility. This mirrors the New Testament teaching in Galatians 3:28, where all are one in Christ Jesus, transcending social and familial distinctions.

For they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy.
The phrase "faithfully consecrated themselves as holy" refers to the dedication and commitment of the Israelites to live according to God's laws and commands. Consecration involved setting oneself apart for divine purposes, often accompanied by rituals of purification and offerings. This act of consecration was not merely ceremonial but required a sincere commitment to holiness and obedience. The faithfulness of the people in this context is reminiscent of the call to holiness found throughout Scripture, such as in Leviticus 11:44, where God commands His people to be holy as He is holy. This dedication prefigures the ultimate consecration found in Jesus Christ, who sanctifies believers through His sacrifice, as seen in Hebrews 10:10. The emphasis on faithfulness also connects to the broader biblical theme of covenant loyalty, where God's people are called to remain steadfast in their devotion to Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who initiated religious reforms, including the restoration of temple worship and the reorganization of the priests and Levites.

2. Priests and Levites
The religious leaders responsible for temple services, who were supported by the tithes and offerings of the people.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, where Hezekiah reigned and implemented his reforms.

4. Genealogical Enrollment
A record-keeping process to ensure that all those involved in temple service were accounted for, including their families.

5. Consecration
The act of setting apart as holy, which the people of Judah did in response to Hezekiah's reforms.
Teaching Points
Faithful Consecration
The people of Judah, including their families, faithfully consecrated themselves, demonstrating the importance of dedication to God in every aspect of life.

Importance of Family in Worship
The inclusion of "little ones, wives, sons, and daughters" highlights the role of the family unit in spiritual practices and the communal aspect of worship.

Holiness in Daily Life
Consecration is not just a religious act but a lifestyle. Believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes.

Record-Keeping and Accountability
The genealogical enrollment signifies the importance of accountability and organization in the community of faith.

Support for Religious Leaders
The passage underscores the necessity of supporting those who serve in ministry, ensuring they can focus on their spiritual duties.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of consecration in 2 Chronicles 31:18 apply to our lives today, and what steps can we take to consecrate ourselves to God?

2. In what ways can families today incorporate worship and consecration into their daily routines, similar to the families in Judah?

3. How does the idea of genealogical enrollment and accountability in this passage relate to the way we organize and participate in our church communities?

4. What parallels can you draw between Hezekiah's reforms and the reforms or changes needed in the modern church?

5. How can we support our religious leaders today, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement needed to fulfill their roles effectively?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The concept of consecration is echoed in the account of the golden calf, where Moses calls the people to consecrate themselves to the Lord.

Nehemiah 10
Similar to Hezekiah's reforms, Nehemiah also led the people in a covenant renewal, emphasizing the importance of supporting the temple and its services.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which aligns with the idea of consecration seen in 2 Chronicles 31:18.
A Nation's Liberality; Or, a Lecture on TithesT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 31:5-19
Systematic Church FinanceW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 31:11-21
People
Aaron, Amariah, Asahel, Azariah, Azaziah, Benaiah, Benjamin, Conaniah, Cononiah, Eliel, Hezekiah, Imnah, Ismachiah, Israelites, Jehiel, Jerimoth, Jeshua, Jimnah, Jozabad, Kore, Levites, Mahath, Manasseh, Miniamin, Nahath, Shecaniah, Shechaniah, Shemaiah, Shimei, Zadok
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Administered, Assembly, Community, Congregation, Consecrated, Consecrating, Daughters, Enrolled, Enrollment, Entered, Faithful, Faithfully, Faithfulness, Genealogical, Genealogy, Gifts, Hallowed, Holiness, Holy, Included, Infants, Keeping, Listed, Lists, Multitude, Office, Ones, Positions, Priests, Reckoned, Records, Register, Sacred, Sanctified, Sanctify, Sons, Themselves, Trust, Wives
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 31:1-19

     8466   reformation

2 Chronicles 31:14-18

     7206   community

Library
Reform
Now there are three effects which ought always to follow our solemn assembly upon the Lord's day, especially when we gather in such a number as the present, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving. We should go home and first break our false gods; next, cut down the very groves in which we have been wont to delight, and after that break the altars which though dedicated to the God of Israel, are not according to Scripture, and therefore ought to be broken down, albeit, they be even dedicated to the true
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks.
We are now arrived at the closing scene of John Yeardley's labors. The impression which he had received, during his visit to Turkey in 1853, of the opening for the work of the Gospel in the Eastern countries, had never been obliterated; it had rather grown deeper with time, although his ability to accomplish such an undertaking had proportionately diminished. This consideration, however, could not satisfy his awakened sympathies, and, according to his apprehension, no other course remained for him
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
2 Chronicles 31:18 NIV
2 Chronicles 31:18 NLT
2 Chronicles 31:18 ESV
2 Chronicles 31:18 NASB
2 Chronicles 31:18 KJV

2 Chronicles 31:18 Commentaries

Bible Hub
2 Chronicles 31:17
Top of Page
Top of Page