What Does 2 Chronicles 31:4 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The people’s portion gives the teachers strength in the LORD’s instruction, making provision part of how the teaching endures.
THE MEANING
This verse describes a living arrangement: the community’s provision gives those entrusted with the LORD’s instruction strength to remain in it. Teaching and material support are joined, with the community sustaining the work that serves it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that instruction can be honored in words while those who carry it are left without their share.
THE ROOT
יֶחֶזְקוּ
yeḥezqū from ḥazaq
GROWS FROM
חזק
To be strong, grow firm, or strengthen.
The word carries the sense of being made strong, not merely feeling encouraged. The same root describes the Levites supporting the priests in 2 Chronicles 29:34, showing strength here as something that can be given and received.
ALSO GROWS
ḥāzāq: Strong, firm.
חָזָק
This form names the strength the priests and Levites are enabled to maintain in the LORD’s instruction.
maḥăzîqîm: Supporting, strengthening, helping.
מַחֲזִיקִים
The KJV renders this related form as the Levites “did help” the priests; the shared root connects that help with the strengthening described here.
מְנָת
menat
GROWS FROM
מנה
To allot, assign, or number.
The word for portion belongs to a root that also means to assign or appoint. The support is described as a defined share within the community, directly tied to the teachers’ strength in instruction.
ALSO GROWS
mānâ: To count, assign, or appoint.
מָנָה
The root links a portion with the act of setting out an allotted share.
māneh: An allotted measure or share.
מָנֶה
This related form makes visible the measured, material character of the portion given to sustain the priests and Levites.
THE PATTERN
Communal provision sustains those who carry worship and instruction.
And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.THE THREAD
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.The same root חזק appears here in the Levites’ helping the priests and in 31:4, where the people’s portions strengthen the Levites in instruction. In one verse the Levites support the priests; in the other, the people support those who teach, a shared chain of strength.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us