Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.

2 CHRONICLES 35:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 35:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 35:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 35:9 describes how several leaders among the Levites provided a large number of animals—five thousand small cattle (such as sheep or goats) and five hundred oxen—as offerings for the Passover celebration. These gifts were given to help other Levites participate in the festival by supplying what was needed for the required sacrifices.

This verse is set during King Josiah’s reign, as he organizes a major Passover celebration in Jerusalem. The leaders named—Conaniah, Shemaiah, Nethaneel, Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad—are Levites who take responsibility for making sure their fellow Levites have enough animals for the ritual sacrifices. The verse highlights the generosity and leadership of these men in supporting the worship practices of their community.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 35:9

  • לְוִיִּם (Leviyim / Levites, H3881): This word refers to the tribe set apart for temple service. The verse emphasizes that both the leaders and the recipients are Levites, showing a sense of shared responsibility within the group.
  • נְסָכִים (nesakhim / offerings, H6453): The word used here for "offerings" often refers to sacrifices or gifts presented in worship. It highlights that these animals were not just for eating but were specifically set aside for the Passover ritual.
  • שָׂרֵי (saré / chief, H8269): This term means "leaders" or "chiefs," indicating that those giving the offerings held positions of authority among the Levites. Their leadership role included caring for the spiritual and practical needs of their peers.

Why 2 Chronicles 35:9 matters

  • This verse shows the importance of shared leadership and generosity in Israel’s worship life, especially during major festivals like Passover.
  • The mention of specific numbers and types of animals underlines the scale and seriousness of the preparations, reflecting the community’s commitment to honoring God’s instructions.
  • By naming the leaders and their actions, the verse connects the Passover celebration to real people and their choices, making the story more concrete and relatable within the larger narrative of Josiah’s reforms.

Where else these words appear

“Conaniah” Hebrew H3562 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 31:12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.

“Jozabad” Hebrew H3107 · used in 9 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 12:4 And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,
  • 2 Chronicles 31:13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
  • Ezra 10:23 Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah,(the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

“Jeiel” Hebrew H3273 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 5:7 And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
  • 1 Chronicles 15:18 And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king's captains.

“Nethaneel” Hebrew H5417 · used in 14 verses

  • Numbers 1:8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
  • Numbers 10:15 And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:4 Moreover the sons of Obededom were, Shemaiah the firstborn, Jehozabad the second, Joah the third, and Sacar the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,