2 chronicles 35:9 - Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings five thousand small livestock and five hundred head of cattle.

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 35:9

What does "2 chronicles 35:9" mean?


This verse from 2 Chronicles 35:9 describes a generous contribution made by several Levite leaders to help provide the necessary sacrifices for the Passover celebration. Let's break it down:

"Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers...": This names Conaniah as the main donor, along with his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel. The fact they are mentioned as brothers suggests a family commitment to supporting the religious observances.
"...and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites...": These individuals are specifically identified as "chiefs of the Levites." This indicates they held positions of authority and responsibility within the Levite community, and their generosity would have set a powerful example.
"...gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings...": This clarifies the purpose of the gift. The livestock were being provided to the Levites. The Levites, in turn, were responsible for preparing and offering the Passover sacrifices on behalf of the people.
"...five thousand small livestock and five hundred head of cattle.": This specifies the quantity and type of animals donated:
Five thousand small livestock: These were likely sheep or goats, the animals traditionally used for Passover sacrifices.
Five hundred head of cattle: This is a significant number of cattle, indicating a substantial and costly offering. Cattle were more valuable and represented a greater sacrifice.

In summary, the verse describes a group of Levite leaders, led by Conaniah and his brothers, who donated a large number of sheep, goats, and cattle to the Levites to ensure there were enough sacrificial animals for the Passover celebrations. This highlights:

The Levites' role in facilitating worship: They were responsible for providing the resources and conducting the necessary rituals.
The importance of the Passover celebration: The verse emphasizes the scale of the preparations needed to properly observe this central religious event.
The generosity of the leaders: Their substantial contribution demonstrates their commitment to religious observance and their willingness to support the Levites in their duties. This also suggests a time of relative prosperity and religious reform, as people were willing and able to give so generously.
Unity and cooperation: The coordinated effort of multiple leaders highlights the importance of working together to facilitate worship and religious observance.

Contextually, this verse is part of the larger narrative about King Josiah's reforms and his dedication to restoring proper worship in Judah. This Passover celebration was a key event in that restoration.

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