(6) Concerning.--Omit.

The children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah.--Contrasted with "the children of Israel" who dwelt in Jerusalem (2Chronicles 31:5). "The children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah" are evidently those who had left the northern kingdom to settle in the south. (Comp. 2Chronicles 10:17; 2Chronicles 11:16; 2Chronicles 30:25.)

The tithe of holy things.--This expression is assumed to be equivalent to "the heave offerings of the holy things" (Numbers 18:19), which denotes such portions of the sacrificial gifts as were not consumed upon the altar. Taken literally, "tithe of things consecrated" would be a very surprising, as it is a wholly isolated, expression.

The present text of the LXX. appears to contain, not a trace of a different reading, but simply an old error of transcription, suggested probably by the words immediately preceding; for its rendering is, "and tithes of goats" (?????? for ?????). The Syriac paraphrases freely, but the Vulgate follows the Hebrew (decimas sanctorum). (See also Note on 2Chronicles 31:10; 2Chronicles 31:12.) There is probably a lacuna in the text.

And laid them by heaps.--Literally, and made heaps heaps--i.e., many heaps. (Comp.Vulg., "fecerunt acervos plurimos.")

Verse 6. - That dwelt in the cities of Judah. As vers. 4 and 5 referred to the dwellers in Jerusalem, so this verse tells of the dwellers in other cities, villages, etc., of the surrounding country (so 2 Chronicles 30:25). Their tithes of holy things probably denote the "heave offerings" of Aaron (Numbers 18:8; for other references to the matter of this verse, see Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:28).

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.And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah,.... As for the supplement "concerning", I see no need of it; the sense is, that when the king's edict was known by the inhabitants of the cities in the country, as well as at Jerusalem:

they also brought in the tithes of oxen, and sheep; according to the law in Leviticus 27:32.

and the tithe of holy things, which were consecrated unto the Lord their God; which Jarchi understands of the second tithe the Levites were to give to the priests; but Kimchi of things consecrated to sacred uses, and no longer for their own, and which were even free from tithing:

and laid them by heaps: heaps upon heaps, such large quantities were brought in.