Post by Standing Firm in Christ on Jul 23, 2015 6:12:37 GMT -6
Addressing "tithe of all things," and "tithe of dedicated things" in 2 Chronicles 31:1-12
Does "tithe of all things" and "tithe of dedicated things" mean something more than agricultural produce and livestock were tithed in ancient Israel?
Let's break the 2 Chronicles passage down for a better understanding of what the text is trying to convey to the reader...
Who was commanded to tithe? The children of Israel. (v.5)
2 Chronicles 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, CHILDREN OF ISRAEL brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
What were the children of Israel commanded to tithe? All things; oxen, sheep and holy things. (v. 5-6)
2 Chronicles 31:5-6 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and THE TITHE OF ALL THINGS brought they in abundantly. And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
Who was the tithe for? The Levites and Priests. (v. 9-10)
2 Chronicles 31:9-10 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And AZARIAH THE CHIEF PRIEST of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH TO EAT, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
Why were the Levites and Priests to receive the tithes? So they could have food to eat. (v.10)
2 Chronicles 31:10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH TO EAT, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
(Notice that Zadok did not say we have had enough to spend and have left plenty)
What were the Levites and Priests supposed to do with the tithes? Eat them. (v. 10)
2 Chronicles 31:10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH TO EAT, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
Again, the Priest Azariah was specific in stating that the tithes were agricultural. That which was in heaps was what was LEFT after the Levites and Priests had ate all they were able to eat.
When one breaks the text down by addressing simple questions, it is easy to see that the "tithe of all things," and the "tithe of dedicated things" was nothing more than agricultural products to feed the Priests.
Does "tithe of all things" and "tithe of dedicated things" mean something more than agricultural produce and livestock were tithed in ancient Israel?
Let's break the 2 Chronicles passage down for a better understanding of what the text is trying to convey to the reader...
Who was commanded to tithe? The children of Israel. (v.5)
2 Chronicles 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, CHILDREN OF ISRAEL brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
What were the children of Israel commanded to tithe? All things; oxen, sheep and holy things. (v. 5-6)
2 Chronicles 31:5-6 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and THE TITHE OF ALL THINGS brought they in abundantly. And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
Who was the tithe for? The Levites and Priests. (v. 9-10)
2 Chronicles 31:9-10 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And AZARIAH THE CHIEF PRIEST of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH TO EAT, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
Why were the Levites and Priests to receive the tithes? So they could have food to eat. (v.10)
2 Chronicles 31:10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH TO EAT, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
(Notice that Zadok did not say we have had enough to spend and have left plenty)
What were the Levites and Priests supposed to do with the tithes? Eat them. (v. 10)
2 Chronicles 31:10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH TO EAT, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
Again, the Priest Azariah was specific in stating that the tithes were agricultural. That which was in heaps was what was LEFT after the Levites and Priests had ate all they were able to eat.
When one breaks the text down by addressing simple questions, it is easy to see that the "tithe of all things," and the "tithe of dedicated things" was nothing more than agricultural products to feed the Priests.