2 Chronicles 31:12 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 31:12 mean?

2 Chronicles 31:12 describes how the people of Judah brought their offerings, tithes, and items dedicated to God and placed them in storage rooms, doing so faithfully. The Levite Cononiah was put in charge of these things, with his brother Shimei as his assistant.

This verse is set during King Hezekiah’s reforms, when the people were responding to his call to support the temple and its priests. The verse highlights the careful organization and trustworthiness in handling the contributions, showing that specific Levites were appointed to oversee the process and ensure everything was managed properly.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 31:12

• "Offerings" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah): This word refers to gifts or contributions set apart for God. It emphasizes that these were not just any items, but things specifically given as acts of devotion.
• "Tithes" (מַעֲשֵׂר, ma‘aser): This word means a tenth part, showing that the people were giving a set portion of their produce or income, as required by the law.
• "Dedicated" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word means things that are holy or set apart for sacred use, underlining that some items were specially reserved for God’s purposes.
• "Faithfully" (אֱמוּנָה, ’emunah): This word carries the sense of trustworthiness or reliability, stressing that the people brought their gifts with sincerity and integrity.

Why 2 Chronicles 31:12 matters

• 2 Chronicles 31:12 shows that the people’s giving was organized and accountable, not just spontaneous, which helped prevent misuse or neglect of the offerings.
• The verse highlights the importance of trustworthy leadership—by naming Cononiah and Shimei, it shows that specific, reliable people were chosen to handle sacred responsibilities.
• This verse connects to the larger story of Hezekiah’s reforms, illustrating how the renewed commitment to God included practical steps to support worship and the temple.