2 Chronicles 31:17

Verse 17. From twenty years old] Moses had ordered that the Levites should not begin their labour till they were thirty years of age; but David changed this order, and obliged them to begin at twenty.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(17) Both to the genealogy.—The verse is a parenthesis relating to the registration of the priests and Levites, suggested by the occurrence of the word “register” in 2Ch_31:16. Translate, “And as to the register of the priests, it was according to their clans (Heb., father-houses); and the Levites from twenty years old and upwards were in their offices in their divisions.” For the latter statement, see 1Ch_23:24.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

17. both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers] R.V. and them that were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation,.... These were all genealogized and registered, wives and children, sons and daughters, whether small or grown up; and a portion was distributed to them according to their number, greater or lesser:

for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness; which is to be understood either of the overseers, who, in their set office, faithfully distributed the holy things to the persons before described; or else to the priests, and Levites, to whom, and to whose families, the distribution was made, because they wholly devoted themselves to the holy service of God.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Both to the genealogy of the priests ... - Some prefer: “And as for the list of the priests, it was according to the houses of their fathers, and that of the Levites was from twenty years,” etc. The writer states the nature of the lists which guided the officers who made the distributions. Three lists are enumerated one of the priests made out according to families; one of the Levites, including all above 20 years of age (see the marginal reference), and made out according to courses; and a third 2Ch 31:18 of the priestly and Levitical families.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Upward. Ezechias followed the regulation of David, rather than that of Moses, who deferred the service till the 25th or 30th year, Num. iv. 3., and viii. 24., and 1 Paralipomenon xxiii. 24.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

It is hard to feel certain as to the exact construction of this and the following verse. Keil would translate here," And concerning the catalogue of the priests, it was according, etc.; and the Levites, they were from twenty years," etc. And arrived at ver. 18, and unable to proceed in like manner with it, he reverts to the "to give" of ver. 15, as what is to stand before the words," to the genealogy or, "catalogue" of all their little ones." He thus treats both vers. 16 and 17 as parenthetical. It seems quite as probable that the "to give" should be shown before ver. 17 as well as ver. 18. On the whole, this seems to suit best the entire passage. The significant taew, at the beginning of ver. 17, neutralizes then the dblmi of ver. 16, and connects vers. 15 and 17. On the words, from twenty years old, comp. 1Ch_23:27. See also Num_4:3 Num_8:24

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

They distributed

It is understood they distributed the freewill offerings. AT: "They distributed freewill offerings" (See: Ellipsis)

twenty years old and more

"20 years old and older" (See: Numbers)

there were men assigned by name to give portions

This can be stated in active form. AT: "there were men responsible for giving portions" (See: Active or Passive)

to all who were listed in the records

This can be stated in active form. AT: "to all whose names were in the records" (See: Active or Passive)

translationWords

holy

descend

Aaron

name

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

And the priests who traced their genealogy to the house of their fathers, and the Levites with the genealogy of their infants, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. They would supply their sustenance from the heave-offerings and the tithes for that entire congregation. All these whom we mentioned [would supply food] to those who stood in the forecourt, and also to the sons of Aaron, the priests whose watch had not yet come about in which to minister, and who were in the field of the open land of their cities, in every city.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.