2 chronicles 31:14 - Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper at the east gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute Yahweh’s offerings and the most holy things.

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 31:14

What does "2 chronicles 31:14" mean?


This verse from 2 Chronicles 31:14 describes a specific individual, Kore, and his important role in the temple administration during the reign of King Hezekiah. Let's break down the meaning piece by piece:

"Kore the son of Imnah the Levite...": This identifies the individual. Kore is a Levite, meaning he belongs to the tribe of Levi, who were designated for religious duties and service in the temple. His father's name, Imnah, is given for genealogical context.

"...the gatekeeper at the east gate...": This tells us Kore's initial position. He was a gatekeeper, a role that involved guarding and managing access to the temple grounds. The east gate was a prominent entrance.

"...was over the freewill offerings of God...": This is the key part describing Kore's responsibilities. He was in charge of the freewill offerings. Freewill offerings were voluntary gifts brought by the people to God, beyond the mandatory sacrifices and tithes. They were an expression of gratitude, devotion, or a desire for blessing.

"...to distribute Yahweh's offerings and the most holy things.": This clarifies what Kore did with the freewill offerings and other temple resources.

"Yahweh's offerings": This refers to the portions of the offerings that were designated for the priests and Levites as their sustenance, as prescribed in the Law.
"the most holy things": This includes things like the showbread, incense, and portions of certain sacrifices that were reserved only for the priests and were to be treated with the utmost reverence. These items were either consumed by the priests or used exclusively in the holiest areas of the temple.

In essence, the verse tells us that Kore, a Levite gatekeeper, was promoted to a position of trust where he oversaw the management and distribution of freewill offerings and the proper allocation of other sacred items within the temple.

Significance:

Organization and Integrity: The verse highlights the importance of organization and accountability in the temple administration, especially during Hezekiah's reforms. Having someone specifically in charge of freewill offerings ensured they were used appropriately and not misused.
Levitical Duties: It demonstrates the diverse roles of Levites in the temple, ranging from gatekeeping to financial administration.
Worship and Devotion: The mention of freewill offerings underscores the people's renewed commitment to Yahweh during Hezekiah's reign and their desire to express their devotion through voluntary gifts.
Hezekiah's Reforms: This verse is part of a larger passage (2 Chronicles 29-31) that describes King Hezekiah's efforts to purify the temple, restore proper worship, and re-establish the covenant between God and the people. Kore's role is one small piece of that larger effort to bring about religious renewal.

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