Hezekiah opens the doors in the first month of the first year. His charge to the Levites is the reformation’s keynote: 'My sons, be not now negligent; for Hashem has chosen you to stand before Him, to minister to Him.' Sixteen days of carrying uncleanness out of the sanctuary; then the sin-offering for all Israel, the burnt-offering with the song of Hashem, the trumpets, the instruments of David — 'And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of that which God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done suddenly.'
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old; and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah.
verse value 5113
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 65 letters. Notable word values: "Abijah" (אֲבִיָּ֖ה) = 18, chai, 'life'. The shortest word is "he·reigned" (מָלַ֗ךְ, 3 letters) and the longest is "daughter·of·Zechariah" (בַּת־זְכַרְיָֽהוּ, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 355: year, year. 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "daughter·of·Zechariah" (בַּת־זְכַרְיָֽהוּ). The root מלך appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "he·reigned" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "son·of·twenty" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "in·Jerusalem" (root ירושלם, 127x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 4 words. Full calculation: יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ [Hezekiah] (146) + מָלַ֗ךְ [he·reigned] (90) + בֶּן־עֶשְׂרִ֤ים [son·of·twenty] (672) + וְחָמֵשׁ֙ [and·five] (354) + שָׁנָ֔ה [year] (355) + וְעֶשְׂרִ֤ים [and·twenty] (626) + וָתֵ֙שַׁע֙ [and·nine] (776) + שָׁנָ֔ה [year] (355) + מָלַ֖ךְ [he·reigned] (90) + בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם [in·Jerusalem] (588) + וְשֵׁ֣ם [and·name·of] (346) + אִמּ֔וֹ [his·mother] (47) + אֲבִיָּ֖ה [Abijah] (18) + בַּת־זְכַרְיָֽהוּ [daughter·of·Zechariah] (650) = 5113.
And he did that which was right in the eyes of Hashem, according to all that David his father had done.
verse value 2058
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 34 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "like·all" (כְּכֹ֥ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "that·he·did" (אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖ה, 6 letters). The root עשה appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·he·did" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "his·father" (root אב, 114x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיַּ֥עַשׂ [and·he·did] (386) + הַיָּשָׁ֖ר [the·right] (515) + בְּעֵינֵ֣י [in·eyes·of] (142) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + כְּכֹ֥ל [like·all] (70) + אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֖ה [that·he·did] (876) + דָּוִ֥יד [David] (24) + אָבִֽיו [his·father] (19) = 2058.
He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of Hashem, and repaired them.
verse value 4276
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 52 letters. The shortest word is "he" (ה֣וּא, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·first" (הָרִאשׁוֹנָ֨ה, 7 letters). The root ראשון appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "of·his·reigning" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "in·the·year" (root שנה, 77x in II Chronicles). Full calculation: ה֣וּא [he] (12) + בַשָּׁנָה֩ [in·the·year] (357) + הָרִאשׁוֹנָ֨ה [the·first] (567) + לְמׇלְכ֜וֹ [of·his·reigning] (126) + בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ [in·the·month] (314) + הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן [the·first] (562) + פָּתַ֛ח [he·opened] (488) + אֶת־דַּלְת֥וֹת [doors·of] (1241) + בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה [the·house·of·Hashem] (438) + וַֽיְחַזְּקֵֽם [and·he·repaired·them] (171) = 4276.
Rashi
and reinforced them because Ahaz had destroyed all the vessels of the House of God.
Metzudat David
'opened the doors of the house of Hashem' – For his father Ahaz had shut them, as stated above, and he came and opened them. 'and repaired them' – He fixed them through construction work.
Malbim
in the first year of his reign, in the first month - in keeping with what our Sages taught, that he intercalated the year at that time [added a leap month], and so calls it "the first month" of his reign (for according to his reckoning, this was [really] the month of Adar). opened the doors - which had been shut in the days of Ahaz. and repaired them - for they had fallen into disrepair at the time when [the people] turned their faces away from the Sanctuary of Hashem.
And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the broad place on the east;
verse value 1751
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 36 letters. The shortest word is "and·he·brought·in" (וַיָּבֵ֥א, 4 letters) and the longest is "the·priests" (אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·the·Levites" (וְאֶת־הַלְוִיִּ֑ם), "and·he·gathered·them" (וַיַּאַסְפֵ֖ם), "to·broad·place·of" (לִרְח֥וֹב). 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·brought·in" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "the·priests" (root כהן, 90x in II Chronicles); "and·the·Levites" (root לוי, 65x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·the·Levites', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיָּבֵ֥א [and·he·brought·in] (19) + אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים [the·priests] (531) + וְאֶת־הַלְוִיִּ֑ם [and·the·Levites] (498) + וַיַּאַסְפֵ֖ם [and·he·gathered·them] (197) + לִרְח֥וֹב [to·broad·place·of] (246) + הַמִּזְרָֽח [the·east] (260) = 1751.
Ralbag
'and gathered them together into the broad place on the east' - This is the Court of Israel.
Metzudat David
'into the broad place on the east' – [i.e.] the one situated on the Temple Mount.
and said to them: ‘Hear me, you Levites: now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of Hashem, the God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
verse value 5051
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 71 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·them" (לָהֶ֖ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·carry·forth" (וְהוֹצִ֥יאוּ, 7 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·sanctify" (וְקַדְּשׁוּ֙), "your·fathers" (אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֔ם), "and·carry·forth" (וְהוֹצִ֥יאוּ). The root קדש appears 3 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "the·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·Levites', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 10 words. Full calculation: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר [and·he·said] (257) + לָהֶ֖ם [to·them] (75) + שְׁמָע֣וּנִי [hear·me] (476) + הַלְוִיִּ֑ם [the·Levites] (91) + עַתָּ֣ה [now] (475) + הִֽתְקַדְּשׁ֗וּ [sanctify·yourselves] (815) + וְקַדְּשׁוּ֙ [and·sanctify] (416) + אֶת־בֵּ֤ית [the·house·of] (813) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֵ֣י [the·God·of] (46) + אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֔ם [your·fathers] (473) + וְהוֹצִ֥יאוּ [and·carry·forth] (124) + אֶת־הַנִּדָּ֖ה [the·filthiness] (465) + מִן־הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ [from·the·holy·place] (499) = 5051.
Rashi
and remove the ‘menstruant’ The Midrash Aggadah (source unknown) states: ‘The corpse’ is not stated here, but ‘the menstruant,’ which is more repugnant than the corpse. It is compared to the uncleanness of the menstruant, because menstrual blood is repugnant.
Ralbag
'and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place' - Meaning, that they should remove all the impurity found within it.
Metzudat David
'now sanctify yourselves' – Since I have opened the doors, sanctify yourselves through immersion, so that you may be able to enter the House of Hashem. 'and sanctify [the house of Hashem], etc.' – By carrying [the filthiness] out, you shall thereby sanctify it — that is, by removing from it the "niddah," which is the idolatry that deserves to be driven from its place and cast outside, like a repugnant, abhorrent thing.
Metzudat Zion
Sanctify yourselves (hitkadeshu) - Purify yourselves. The filthiness (haniddah) - An expression of wandering.
Malbim
and said to them - (1) "sanctify yourselves" - [meaning] yourselves personally. and sanctify [the house of Hashem, the God of your fathers] - (2) from the impurity of idolatry: the House itself, of the images that Ahaz had carved, and the vessels - to put them away in storage and make new ones in their place, as stated in chapter 19. (3) that they should carry out "the filthiness" - referring to the idolatry, which conveys impurity by being carried, like a menstruant (niddah).
For our fathers have acted treacherously, and done that which was evil in the sight of Hashem our God, and have forsaken Him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of Hashem, and turned their backs.
verse value 3245
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 68 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "the·evil" (הָרַ֛ע, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hashem·our·God" (יְהֹוָֽה־אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ, 10 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "for·they·acted·unfaithfully" (כִּֽי־מָעֲל֣וּ), "Hashem·our·God" (יְהֹוָֽה־אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ), "and·they·forsook·Him" (וַיַּעַזְבֻ֑הוּ). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem·our·God" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·they·did" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "their·faces" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·they·forsook·Him', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 5 words. Full calculation: כִּֽי־מָעֲל֣וּ [for·they·acted·unfaithfully] (176) + אֲבֹתֵ֗ינוּ [our·fathers] (469) + וְעָשׂ֥וּ [and·they·did] (382) + הָרַ֛ע [the·evil] (275) + בְּעֵינֵ֥י [in·eyes·of] (142) + יְהֹוָֽה־אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ [Hashem·our·God] (128) + וַיַּעַזְבֻ֑הוּ [and·they·forsook·Him] (106) + וַיַּסֵּ֧בּוּ [and·they·turned] (84) + פְנֵיהֶ֛ם [their·faces] (185) + מִמִּשְׁכַּ֥ן [from·habitation·of] (450) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + וַיִּתְּנוּ־עֹֽרֶף [and·they·gave·neck] (822) = 3245.
Metzudat David
'and have turned away their faces' – They turned their faces away from it, so as not to face toward it.
Metzudat Zion
Backs (oref) - This is the back of the face [i.e., the nape of the neck].
Malbim
For our fathers have acted treacherously - First they acted treacherously and did evil by transgressing the Torah; and afterward they turned away from the habitation of Hashem - that is, to the worship of Baal and the sun, to which they would bow down facing east, as it is written [elsewhere], "with their backs toward the Temple of Hashem, and their faces toward the east."
Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt-offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.
verse value 4692
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 65 letters. The shortest word is "also" (גַּ֣ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·lamps" (אֶת־הַנֵּר֔וֹת, 7 letters). 8 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "they·shut" (סָגְר֞וּ), "doors·of" (דַּלְת֣וֹת), "and·they·quenched" (וַיְכַבּוּ֙). The root עלה appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles); "not" (root לא, 86x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'they·burned', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 5 words. Full calculation: גַּ֣ם [also] (43) + סָגְר֞וּ [they·shut] (269) + דַּלְת֣וֹת [doors·of] (840) + הָאוּלָ֗ם [the·porch] (82) + וַיְכַבּוּ֙ [and·they·quenched] (44) + אֶת־הַנֵּר֔וֹת [the·lamps] (1062) + וּקְטֹ֖רֶת [and·incense] (715) + לֹ֣א [not] (31) + הִקְטִ֑ירוּ [they·burned] (330) + וְעֹלָה֙ [and·burnt-offering] (111) + לֹא־הֶעֱל֣וּ [not·they·offered·up] (142) + בַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ [in·the·holy·place] (406) + לֵאלֹהֵ֖י [to·the·God·of] (76) + יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [Israel] (541) = 4692.
Rashi
extinguished the lamps, and they did not burn incense nor offer up burnt offerings in the Sanctuary to the God of Israel but they made high places to alien gods in every city, to burn incense to them.
Metzudat David
'the lamps' – [i.e.] those of the Menorah.
Malbim
Also - and afterward they shut the doors of the porch and put an end to the service of the House of Hashem entirely - this being the final stage of Ahaz's deeds and his wickedness.
Wherefore the wrath of Hashem was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has delivered them to be a horror, an astonishment, and a hissing, as you see with your eyes.
verse value 4222
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 68 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "wrath·of" (קֶ֣צֶף, 3 letters) and the longest is "upon·Judah" (עַל־יְהוּדָ֖ה, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·a·horror" (לְזַעֲוָה֙), "and·to·a·hissing" (וְלִשְׁרֵקָ֔ה), "in·your·eyes" (בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם). 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "as" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "and·it·was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root שמה ("to·an·astonishment") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·Jerusalem', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 9 words.
Metzudat David
'The wrath of Hashem was' – It was because of this [the sins just described] that the wrath came. 'He has delivered them to be a horror' – He made them an object of dread to everyone who hears [of their fate], for each listener trembles lest what befell them befall him too. 'As you see with your eyes' – that this is indeed so.
Metzudat Zion
A horror (lezeva'ah) - An expression of trembling and dread, as in 'and I will make them a horror' (Jeremiah 15). An astonishment (leshammah) - For bewilderment. And a hissing (v'lishrekah) - This is the name for the sound made by pursing the lips, which people customarily do over some significant thing that has been destroyed, as in 'and I will make this city an astonishment and a hissing' (Jeremiah 19).
Malbim
Wherefore the wrath [of Hashem was upon Judah and Jerusalem]... and, behold, [our fathers] have fallen [by the sword] - He likewise reckons their punishment as unfolding in three stages: [first] horror, then astonishment and hissing, and afterward, that they fell by the sword - for so had [Hashem] forewarned in the rebuke concerning the sin of idolatry.
For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
verse value 2817
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "and·behold" (וְהִנֵּ֛ה, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·our·daughters" (וּבְנוֹתֵ֧ינוּ, 8 letters). 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·our·sons" (וּבָנֵ֨ינוּ), "and·our·daughters" (וּבְנוֹתֵ֧ינוּ), "and·our·wives" (וְנָשֵׁ֛ינוּ). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·our·sons" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "our·fathers" (root אב, 114x in II Chronicles); "and·behold" (root הנה, 35x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'by·the·sword', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְהִנֵּ֛ה [and·behold] (66) + נָפְל֥וּ [they·fell] (166) + אֲבוֹתֵ֖ינוּ [our·fathers] (475) + בֶּחָ֑רֶב [by·the·sword] (212) + וּבָנֵ֨ינוּ [and·our·sons] (124) + וּבְנוֹתֵ֧ינוּ [and·our·daughters] (530) + וְנָשֵׁ֛ינוּ [and·our·wives] (422) + בַּשְּׁבִ֖י [in·the·captivity] (314) + עַל־זֹֽאת [for·this] (508) = 2817.
Metzudat David
'Are in captivity' – Indeed, they are in captivity.
Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with Hashem, the God of Israel, that His fierce anger may turn away from us.
verse value 3345
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 47 letters. The shortest word is "now" (עַתָּה֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "with·my·heart" (עִם־לְבָבִ֔י, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "with·my·heart" (עִם־לְבָבִ֔י). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 4 words. Full calculation: עַתָּה֙ [now] (475) + עִם־לְבָבִ֔י [with·my·heart] (154) + לִכְר֣וֹת [to·cut] (656) + בְּרִ֔ית [covenant] (612) + לַיהֹוָ֖ה [to·Hashem] (56) + אֱלֹהֵ֣י [the·God·of] (46) + יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל [Israel] (541) + וְיָשֹׁ֥ב [and·it·shall·turn·away] (318) + מִמֶּ֖נּוּ [from·us] (136) + חֲר֥וֹן [anger·of] (264) + אַפּֽוֹ [His·nose] (87) = 3345.
Malbim
Now it is in my heart to make a covenant - and by this Hashem, too, will renew His earlier covenant, as it is written (Deuteronomy 4:30), "When you are in distress, and all these things have come upon you... and shall return," etc.
My sons, be not now negligent; for Hashem has chosen you to stand before Him, to minister to Him, and that you should be His ministers, and offer to Him.’
verse value 4776
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 59 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "to·Him" (ל֖וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·offer" (וּמַקְטִרִֽים, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "do·not·be·negligent" (אַל־תִּשָּׁל֑וּ), "for·in·you" (כִּֽי־בָכֶ֞ם), "to·stand" (לַעֲמֹ֤ד). The root שרת appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "my·sons" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "and·to·be" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'do·not·be·negligent', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 10 words. Full calculation: בָּנַ֕י [my·sons] (62) + עַתָּ֖ה [now] (475) + אַל־תִּשָּׁל֑וּ [do·not·be·negligent] (767) + כִּֽי־בָכֶ֞ם [for·in·you] (92) + בָּחַ֣ר [he·chose] (210) + יְהֹוָ֗ה [Hashem] (26) + לַעֲמֹ֤ד [to·stand] (144) + לְפָנָיו֙ [before·Him] (176) + לְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹ [to·minister·to·Him] (936) + וְלִהְי֥וֹת [and·to·be] (457) + ל֖וֹ [to·Him] (36) + מְשָׁרְתִ֥ים [ministers] (990) + וּמַקְטִרִֽים [and·offer] (405) = 4776.
Rashi
do not forget - Heb. תִּשָּׁלוּ, an expression denoting lack of intention.
Ralbag
'My sons, be not now negligent' - The word [tishlu] is related to the idea of removal, as in 'and the iron slips [ve-nashal] from the wood' (Deuteronomy 19:5), and 'and He will cast out [ve-nashal] many nations from before you' (ibid. 7:1). The meaning is: hold fast to the work, and do not be removed from the honored service that Hashem, may He be blessed, has given you as your portion, for you alone has Hashem chosen to stand before Him and minister to Him. Or the meaning may be, 'do not be idle' - the word being related instead to the idea of ease and rest - as though urging them to exert themselves with alacrity and speed in what He commanded them, so that the service might be restored to its proper state.
Metzudat David
'Be not now negligent' – Let there be no forgetfulness or unwitting oversight on your part regarding the purification of the House. 'For Hashem has chosen you, etc.' – If so, it is fitting that you be careful in the service of the Omnipresent.
Metzudat Zion
Be negligent (tishlu) - An expression of forgetfulness and error, as in 'for the error' (II Samuel 6).
Malbim
be not now negligent - the word relates to inadvertent error or forgetfulness. to minister to Him - this refers to the Levites. His ministers, and offer to Him - this refers to the priests.
Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah;
verse value 4866
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 104 letters. The shortest word is "Mahath" (מַ֣חַת, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·from·the·Gershonites" (וּמִן־הַגֵּ֣רְשֻׁנִּ֔י, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 158: and·from·sons·of, son·of·Jehallelel. 12 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Mahath" (מַ֣חַת), "son·of·Amasai" (בֶּן־עֲמָשַׂ֞י), "and·Joel" (וְיוֹאֵ֣ל). The root בן appears 8 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "son·of·Amasai" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "the·Levites" (root לוי, 65x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'son·of·Jehallelel', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 5 words.
and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah;
verse value 2283
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 50 letters. The shortest word is "Asaph" (אָסָ֔ף, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·Mattaniah" (וּמַתַּנְיָֽהוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 158: and·from·sons·of, and·from·sons·of. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Elizaphan" (אֱלִ֣יצָפָ֔ן), "and·Mattaniah" (וּמַתַּנְיָֽהוּ). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·from·sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·Jeiel', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 4 words.
and of the sons of Heman, Jehiel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel.
verse value 1986
Insights
Verse structure: 8 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "Heman" (הֵימָ֖ן, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·Shimei·and·from·sons·of" (וְשִׁמְעִ֑יוּמִן־בְּנֵ֣י, 11 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "Heman" (הֵימָ֖ן), "Jehiel" (יְחִיאֵ֣ל), "and·Shimei·and·from·sons·of" (וְשִׁמְעִ֑יוּמִן־בְּנֵ֣י). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 6 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·from·sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·Shimei·and·from·sons·of', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 3 words.
And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and went in, according to the commandment of the king by the words of Hashem, to cleanse the house of Hashem.
verse value 3056
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 54 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "house·of" (בֵּ֥ית, 3 letters) and the longest is "as·commandment·of·the·king" (כְמִצְוַת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "their·brethren" (אֶת־אֲחֵיהֶם֙), "as·commandment·of·the·king" (כְמִצְוַת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "and·they·went·in" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root טהר ("to·cleanse") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיַּאַסְפ֤וּ [and·they·gathered] (163) + אֶת־אֲחֵיהֶם֙ [their·brethren] (465) + וַיִּֽתְקַדְּשׁ֔וּ [and·they·sanctified·themselves] (826) + וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ [and·they·went·in] (25) + כְמִצְוַת־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ [as·commandment·of·the·king] (651) + בְּדִבְרֵ֣י [in·words·of] (218) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + לְטַהֵ֖ר [to·cleanse] (244) + בֵּ֥ית [house·of] (412) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 3056.
Ralbag
'according to the commandment of the king by the words of Hashem' - Meaning, that they did this in keeping with the king's command, which was itself [grounded] in the words of Hashem; for the words of Hashem in the Torah obligated them to act in this way, so that the service would be completed in the manner that Hashem, may He be blessed, commanded.
Metzudat David
'By the words of Hashem' – Concerning the matter that constitutes the service of Hashem.
And the priests went in to the inner part of the house of Hashem, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of Hashem into the court of the house of Hashem. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad to the brook Kidron.
verse value 4163
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 101 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֤ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·brook·of·Kidron" (לְנַחַל־קִדְר֖וֹן, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "within" (לִפְנִ֣ימָה), "all·the·uncleanness" (כׇּל־הַטֻּמְאָה֙), "they·found" (מָֽצְאוּ֙). The root יהוה appears 3 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 15 and 5 words.
Rashi
And the priests came within for the Levites may not enter within. to the court of the House of the Lord the place where the Levites stood, as he says: “and the Levites received, etc.”
Metzudat David
'The inner part of the house of Hashem' – This is the Sanctuary (Heichal); and it is called ‘house of Hashem’ for further clarification. 'The uncleanness' – This refers to the objects of idol worship. 'The Levites took it' – They received it from the priests’ hands in the courtyard, for they were not permitted to enter the Sanctuary. 'Abroad' – [Meaning] outside the city.
Malbim
And the priests went in to the inner part of the house of Hashem - in accordance with the law at the end of [tractate] Eruvin, that priests, and not Levites, are to enter the inner precincts.
Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of Hashem; and they sanctified the house of Hashem in eight days; and on the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
verse value 6357
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 98 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֔ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 6357 is divisible by 13, the value of echad ('one') and ahavah ('love'). The shortest word is "they·came" (בָּ֚אוּ, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·house·of·Hashem" (אֶת־בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 562: the·first, the·first. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·began" (וַ֠יָּחֵ֠לּוּ), "in·one" (בְּאֶחָ֞ד), "to·porch·of" (לְאוּלָ֣ם). The root חדש appears 3 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "they·came" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "and·in·day" (root יום, 71x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'eight', dividing the verse into phrases of 15 and 6 words.
Rashi
They commenced on the first of the first month etc., they sanctified the House of the Lord for eight days This is why they prolonged the cleansing to cleanse it so long, because Ahaz had painted all the walls with images, as it is written (Ezek. 23:14): “Images of Chaldeans, engraved with types of drawings,” and they prolonged it for eight days until they destroyed the likeness of the images from the walls, and on the sixteenth day of the month, they completed everything, the Temple and the forecourt.
Metzudat David
'To sanctify' – To purify the Sanctuary. 'The house of Hashem' – This is the Sanctuary. 'They made an end' – They finished purifying the entire Temple.
Metzudat Zion
Began (vayachellu) - They started.
Malbim
and on the eighth day - First they sanctified the vessels, which required sprinkling on the third and seventh days, and this was completed by the eighth of the month. After that, the priests themselves, who had come into contact with the impurity, had to be purified, which took another eight days. And the Yerushalmi states that they found the skull of Aravnah beneath the altar, [showing] that they had contracted corpse-impurity, which requires sprinkling on the third and seventh days.
Then they went in to Hezekiah the king within the palace, and said: ‘We have cleansed all the house of Hashem, even the altar of burnt-offering, with all its vessels, and the table of showbread, with all its vessels.
verse value 5050
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 87 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5050 is divisible by 50, the years to the Jubilee (yovel). The shortest word is "the·king" (הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ, 4 letters) and the longest is "and·all·its·vessels" (וְאֶת־כׇּל־כֵּלָ֔יו, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 523: and·all·its·vessels, and·all·its·vessels. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·went·in" (וַיָּב֤וֹאֽוּ), "within" (פְנִ֙ימָה֙), "to·Hezekiah" (אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ). The root כלי appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "all·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root חזקיהו ("to·Hezekiah") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיָּב֤וֹאֽוּ [and·they·went·in] (31) + פְנִ֙ימָה֙ [within] (185) + אֶל־חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ [to·Hezekiah] (167) + הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ [and·they·said] (263) + טִהַ֖רְנוּ [we·have·cleansed] (270) + אֶת־כׇּל־בֵּ֣ית [all·house·of] (863) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + אֶת־מִזְבַּ֤ח [altar·of] (458) + הָעוֹלָה֙ [the·burnt-offering] (116) + וְאֶת־כׇּל־כֵּלָ֔יו [and·all·its·vessels] (523) + וְאֶת־שֻׁלְחַ֥ן [and·table·of] (795) + הַֽמַּעֲרֶ֖כֶת [the·row] (735) + וְאֶת־כׇּל־כֵּלָֽיו [and·all·its·vessels] (523) = 5050.
Metzudat David
'Within [the palace]' – To the inner chamber, the place where the king resided. 'The table of showbread' – The table upon which they arrange the showbread.
Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away when he acted treacherously, have we prepared and sanctified; and, behold, they are before the altar of Hashem.’
verse value 2812
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 64 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "and" (וְאֵ֣ת, 3 letters) and the longest is "all·the·vessels" (כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֗ים, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "he·cast·off" (הִזְנִ֩יחַ֩), "in·his·reign" (בְּמַלְכוּת֛וֹ), "in·his·trespass" (בְּמַעֲל֖וֹ). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·we·have·sanctified', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְאֵ֣ת [and] (407) + כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֗ים [all·the·vessels] (155) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [that] (501) + הִזְנִ֩יחַ֩ [he·cast·off] (80) + הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + אָחָ֧ז [Ahaz] (16) + בְּמַלְכוּת֛וֹ [in·his·reign] (504) + בְּמַעֲל֖וֹ [in·his·trespass] (148) + הֵכַ֣נּוּ [we·have·prepared] (81) + וְהִקְדָּ֑שְׁנוּ [and·we·have·sanctified] (471) + וְהִנָּ֕ם [and·behold·they] (101) + לִפְנֵ֖י [before] (170) + מִזְבַּ֥ח [altar·of] (57) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 2812.
Rashi
we have prepared and sanctified This is explained in Abodah Zarah (52b) in the chapter entitled “Rabbi Ishmael”: May vessels used in the Onias temple be used in the Temple?...He questioned him, “’That King Ahaz forsook, etc....we have prepared and sanctified.’ Does not ‘we have prepared’ mean that they immersed them and ‘sanctified’ mean that they consecrated them?” He replied, “Blessed are you to Heaven, for you have restored my loss to me. ‘We have prepared’ means that we have concealed them and ‘sanctified’ means that we consecrated others in their stead.”
Ralbag
'which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away' - Meaning, which he put far away, for he had removed this service and nullified it.
Metzudat David
'Did cast away' – [Meaning] that he abandoned their use in the service of the Omnipresent and used them instead for idol worship. 'In his reign' – [Meaning] in the days of his reign. 'When he acted treacherously' – Through the depth of his treachery. 'Have we prepared' – We purified them to make them fit for [Temple] service, and sanctified them to Hashem as they had been at first; and our Sages, of blessed memory, said that [in fact] they hid these vessels away and sanctified other vessels in their place, because [the original ones] had become repugnant to the One on High.
Metzudat Zion
Cast away (hiznich) - An expression of abandonment, as in 'Hashem has cast off His altar' (Lamentations 2).
Malbim
have we prepared - meaning that we prepared others in their place, since [the originals] had been put to use for idolatry, and we sanctified these new ones for the service of the Most High.
Then Hezekiah the king arose early, and gathered the princes of the city, and went up to the house of Hashem.
verse value 2524
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 41 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "princes·of" (שָׂרֵ֣י, 3 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ, 7 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·rose·early" (וַיַּשְׁכֵּם֙). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·city', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words.
And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he-goats, for a sin-offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of Hashem.
verse value 5709
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 112 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "seven" (שִׁבְעָ֜ה, 4 letters) and the longest is "young·bulls·seven" (פָֽרִים־שִׁבְעָה֩, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 377: seven, seven, seven. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "young·bulls·seven" (פָֽרִים־שִׁבְעָה֩), "and·rams" (וְאֵילִ֨ים), "and·lambs" (וּכְבָשִׂ֣ים). The root שבע appears 4 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "to·the·sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·for·Judah', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 7 words.
Rashi
and seven kids, etc. This was a temporary provision. on the altar of the Lord but not on those altars that his father Ahaz had made.
Metzudat David
'For the kingdom' – To find favor with Hashem, atoning for them so that the kingship would endure for them. 'And for the sanctuary, etc.' – So that they would stand firm and endure.
Metzudat Zion
He-goats (u'tzefirei izzim) - Male goats; and so too, 'he-goats for a sin-offering' (Ezra 8).
Malbim
And they brought ... bullocks - This resembles the sin-offering and burnt-offering brought for an inadvertent communal sin of idolatry, as stated in [the portion of] Shelach: that a bullock is brought as a burnt-offering and a he-goat as a sin-offering. Now Reuben, Gad, half of Manasseh, Zebulun, and Naphtali had already been exiled, and he reckons the exile of half of Manasseh as though that tribe had been annulled altogether, leaving seven tribes. He holds that the rule that the remaining tribes are drawn after [the majority, for a communal offering] applies only when they are [physically] present in the Land of Israel; therefore he brought only seven bullocks, and therefore it says, "for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah." And he reckoned their sin as an inadvertent ruling of the Sanhedrin, since they had been of one mind with Ahaz, having failed to protest against him; while the rams and lambs were voluntary offerings.
So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and dashed it against the altar; and they killed the rams, and dashed the blood against the altar; they killed also the lambs, and dashed the blood against the altar.
verse value 3807
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 92 letters. Notable word values: "the·rams" (הָאֵלִ֗ים) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "the·blood" (הַדָּם֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·they·killed" (וַֽיִּשְׁחֲטוּ֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 339: and·they·killed, and·they·killed, and·they·killed. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·rams" (הָאֵלִ֗ים), "the·lambs" (הַכְּבָשִׂ֔ים). The root שחט appears 3 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·priests" (root כהן, 90x in II Chronicles); "to·the·altar" (root מזבח, 39x in II Chronicles); "the·bullocks" (root בקר, 21x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root זרק ("and·they·dashed") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·altar', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 10 words.
Ralbag
'So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood' - We learn from this passage that receiving the blood is one of the sacrificial services, and that it may be performed only by a priest while he is in his priestly capacity - that is, wearing the priestly garments - for only then are they [regarded as] priests, as is explained in the Torah.
Malbim
So they killed the bullocks - even though [ordinarily] the blood of a sin-offering takes precedence over the blood of a burnt-offering, in the case of an offering for an inadvertent communal sin the rule is that the burnt-offering takes precedence over the sin-offering; and along with this, [the text] also gives precedence to the rams, even though they were merely voluntary offerings.
And they brought near the he-goats for the sin-offering before the king and the congregation, and they laid their hands upon them;
verse value 2526
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 47 letters. The shortest word is "before" (לִפְנֵ֥י, 4 letters) and the longest is "the·he-goats·of" (אֶת־שְׂעִירֵ֣י, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·brought·near" (וַיַּגִּ֙ישׁוּ֙), "the·he-goats·of" (אֶת־שְׂעִירֵ֣י), "the·sin-offering" (הַחַטָּ֔את). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "before" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles); "upon·them" (root על, 111x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·the·congregation', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיַּגִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ [and·they·brought·near] (335) + אֶת־שְׂעִירֵ֣י [the·he-goats·of] (991) + הַחַטָּ֔את [the·sin-offering] (423) + לִפְנֵ֥י [before] (170) + הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + וְהַקָּהָ֑ל [and·the·congregation] (146) + וַיִּסְמְכ֥וּ [and·they·laid] (142) + יְדֵיהֶ֖ם [their·hands] (69) + עֲלֵיהֶֽם [upon·them] (155) = 2526.
Malbim
And they laid their hands - As it says (Leviticus 4:15), "and the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands" - here the king laid his hands, together with two members of the Sanhedrin. According to Rabbi Shimon's view, five would lay their hands; and according to what Targum Yonatan writes, and likewise in the Jerusalem Talmud, tractate Horayot, it was the princes of the tribes who laid their hands.
and the priests killed them, and they made a sin-offering with their blood upon the altar, to make atonement for all Israel; for the king commanded that the burnt-offering and the sin-offering should be made for all Israel.
verse value 3654
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 71 letters. Verse gematria: 3654 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֤י, 2 letters) and the longest is "for·all·Israel" (עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·killed·them" (וַיִּשְׁחָטוּם֙), "and·they·purified" (וַֽיְחַטְּא֤וּ), "their·blood" (אֶת־דָּמָם֙). 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "for·all·Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'for·all·Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיִּשְׁחָטוּם֙ [and·they·killed·them] (379) + הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים [the·priests] (130) + וַֽיְחַטְּא֤וּ [and·they·purified] (40) + אֶת־דָּמָם֙ [their·blood] (485) + הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה [to·the·altar] (67) + לְכַפֵּ֖ר [to·atone] (330) + עַל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל [for·all·Israel] (691) + כִּ֤י [for] (30) + לְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ [for·all·Israel] (621) + אָמַ֣ר [he·said] (241) + הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + הָעוֹלָ֖ה [the·burnt-offering] (116) + וְהַחַטָּֽאת [and·the·sin-offering] (429) = 3654.
Rashi
to atone for all Israel for they had sinned by [practicing] idolatry. The king said as follows: “Let the burnt offerings and the sin offerings be for all Israel.” In the section שְׁלַח (Num. 16:24) it is written: “the entire congregation shall offer up one bull, etc.,” and it is written: (Lev 4:14): “and the congregation shall bring a young bull for a sin offering,” and here it is written that they brought seven bulls, rams, lambs, and kids! This was a temporary ruling.
Metzudat David
'They made a sin-offering with their blood' – The application of blood with the finger is called chitui (‘purging’); so too, ‘and you shall purge (ve-chitata) the altar’ (Exodus 29:36). 'To make atonement for all Israel, etc.' – It was on behalf of all Israel that the king commanded these to be offered. 'The burnt-offering' – The bullocks, rams, and lambs were brought as the burnt-offering, and the he-goats as the sin-offering.
Malbim
and they made a sin-offering with their blood - For a sin-offering requires that its blood be applied to the four horns [of the altar]. And since, as has been explained, these were like a communal sin-offering for an unwitting transgression (see Leviticus 4), the blood should have been applied to the horns of the golden altar - and that is why it says, "to make atonement for all Israel."
And he set the Levites in the house of Hashem with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet; for the commandment was of Hashem by His prophets.
verse value 4067
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 90 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֗ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֧י, 2 letters) and the longest is "by·the·hand·of·His·prophets" (בְּיַד־נְבִיאָֽיו, 9 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·Gad" (וְגָ֥ד), "seer·of·the·king" (חֹזֵֽה־הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ), "by·the·hand·of·Hashem" (בְיַד־יְהֹוָ֛ה). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "for" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·prophet', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 4 words.
Rashi
for by the hand of the Lord was the commandment, by the hand of His prophets that the Levites should play musical instruments. It is not written in the Torah that a sacrifice requires musical accompaniment (lit., song), but it is the commandment of the Lord, which He commanded through His prophets to accompany the sacrifice with song. Our Rabbis explained in Tractate Arachin (11a): From where do we derive that the Levites are required to play musical instruments? For it is written (Num. 4:47): “the service of the service.” Which is a service that requires another service with it? This is music with a musical instrument. “And the service of raising” may also be correctly explained in reference to song, as it is written (I Chron. 15:22): “And Chenaniah, the leader of the Levites in song (בְּמַשָּׂא) etc. because he was an expert,” for he was appointed to raise the voice of the melody of the song.
Ralbag
'And he set the Levites in the house of Hashem with cymbals,' etc. - This clarifies that what David commanded and arranged concerning the singers had been commanded by Gad and Nathan the prophets, by the word of Hashem; for this command came from Hashem, by the hand of His prophets.
Metzudat David
'According to the commandment of David' – Just as David [and the others named] had commanded, etc. 'For the commandment was of Hashem' – The commandment concerning the song was given by Hashem through His prophets, even though it is not explicitly stated in the Torah of Moses.
Metzudat Zion
With cymbals, etc. (b'metzilta'im, etc.) - Names of kinds of musical instruments.
Malbim
And he set the Levites - This was for them like a dedication, for the [Temple] service had already been suspended for many days; therefore he stationed the priests with trumpets, as at the dedication of Solomon's Temple and of the Second Temple. And that is why it later says, "you have consecrated yourselves to Hashem" [lit. "you have filled your hand"] - for a dedication is called a "filling of the hand."
And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt-offering upon the altar. And when the burnt-offering began, the song of Hashem began also, and the trumpets, together with the instruments of David king of Israel.
verse value 4002
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 78 letters. The shortest word is "it·began" (הֵחֵ֣ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·trumpets" (וְהַחֲצֹ֣צְר֔וֹת, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 43: it·began, it·began. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·the·altar" (לְהַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ), "the·song·of·Hashem" (שִׁיר־יְהֹוָה֙), "and·by·hand·of" (וְעַ֨ל־יְדֵ֔י). The root עלה appears 3 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·song·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "king·of·Israel" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·altar', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 10 words.
Ralbag
'And when the burnt-offering began, the song of Hashem began also' - We learn that the Levites sang, with their voices and with instruments together, and the priests sounded the trumpets, from the time the burnt-offering began to be offered until the burnt-offering was completed and the service was finished. And from this passage we learn that they did not sing at the time its meal-offering and libations were offered up.
Metzudat David
'When the burnt-offering began' – [That is,] the offering up of the burnt-offering. 'Together with the instruments of David king of Israel' – This refers back to the song, to say that the song was performed with the musical instruments that David had made.
And all the congregation prostrated themselves, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt-offering was finished.
verse value 4663
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 59 letters. The shortest word is "until" (עַ֖ד, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·the·trumpets" (וְהַחֲצֹצְר֖וֹת, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "prostrating·themselves" (מִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֔ים), "and·the·song" (וְהַשִּׁ֣יר), "singing" (מְשׁוֹרֵ֔ר). The root שיר appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·whole" (root כל, 113x in II Chronicles); "the·burnt-offering" (root עלה, 83x in II Chronicles); "and·all·the·congregation" (root קהל, 30x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'sounding', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 4 words.
Metzudat David
'The singers sang' – That is to say, the song was performed by the musicians. 'All this' – The singers and trumpeters did not stop until the offering up of the burnt-offering was completed.
And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves and prostrated themselves.
verse value 2849
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 40 letters. The shortest word is "with·him" (אִתּ֖וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·all·who·were·present" (וְכׇֽל־הַנִּמְצְאִ֥ים, 10 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "they·knelt" (כָּֽרְע֗וּ), "and·all·who·were·present" (וְכׇֽל־הַנִּמְצְאִ֥ים). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "to·offer" (root עלה, 83x in II Chronicles); "and·all·who·were·present" (root מצא, 28x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·offer', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 5 words. Full calculation: וּכְכַלּ֖וֹת [and·when·finishing·of] (482) + לְהַעֲל֑וֹת [to·offer] (541) + כָּֽרְע֗וּ [they·knelt] (296) + הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + וְכׇֽל־הַנִּמְצְאִ֥ים [and·all·who·were·present] (292) + אִתּ֖וֹ [with·him] (407) + וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ [and·they·prostrated·themselves] (736) = 2849.
Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to Hashem with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.
verse value 3146
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 78 letters. Verse gematria: 3146 is divisible by 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "the·king" (הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ, 4 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֨הוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 95: the·king, to·praise. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·praised" (וַֽיְהַלְלוּ֙), "until·to·joy" (עַד־לְשִׂמְחָ֔ה), "and·they·bowed·down" (וַֽיִּקְּד֖וּ). The root הלל appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·seer', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 4 words.
Rashi
to praise the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the seer i.e., “Give thanks to the Lord, call out in His name,” as is written above (I Chron. 16:8f): “On that day, David placed Nathan at the head to give thanks to the Lord by the hand of Asaph and his brethren, etc.”
Ralbag
'with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer' - Meaning, that they recited from the psalms of thanksgiving that David composed in the Book of Psalms, and from what Asaph, who was David's seer, composed there.
Metzudat David
'With the words of David' – With the psalms of praise that David and Asaph composed. 'With gladness' – Out of the intensity of their devotion (deveikut) to the Omnipresent, blessed be He, which they felt during the praise, they came to a state of joy.
Metzudat Zion
Bowed their heads (vayikdu) - An expression of bending the crown of the head.
Then Hezekiah answered and said: ‘Now you have consecrated yourselves to Hashem, come near and bring sacrifices and thank-offerings into the house of Hashem.’ And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank-offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt-offerings.
verse value 5075
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 95 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "heart" (לֵ֖ב, 2 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 822: and·thank-offerings, and·thank-offerings. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "you·have·filled" (מִלֵּאתֶ֤ם), "your·hand" (יֶדְכֶם֙), "draw·near" (גֹּ֧שׁוּ). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "to·the·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root תודה ("and·thank-offerings") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 7 words.
Rashi
and the congregation brought [peace] offerings and thanksgiving offerings which are permissible for the owner to eat. and every generous-hearted one - burnt offerings Some of them, whoever was moved by his heart, brought burnt-offerings, but not all of them [i.e., not all the people brought burnt-offerings], because the owner has no permission to eat them.
Ralbag
'sacrifices and thank-offerings' - These are peace-offerings, except that with the thank-offering, loaves of the thank-offering were brought as well, as is stated in the Torah. 'and as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt-offerings' - Meaning, that every person of a willing heart brought burnt-offerings, which are entirely [given over] to Hashem.
Metzudat David
'You have consecrated yourselves' – The beginning of an undertaking and its inauguration is called ‘a filling of the hands’ (milui yadayim), as in ‘and you shall fill the hand of Aaron’ (Exodus 29:9). That is to say: until now you had ceased from the service of the Omnipresent, blessed be He, and now you have begun to serve Him. 'Sacrifices' – [Meaning] peace-offerings. 'Thank-offerings' – [Meaning] thanksgiving peace-offerings. 'Of a willing heart' – Since the burnt-offering is wholly consumed [on the altar] and its owners gain nothing from it at all, Scripture therefore calls those who bring it ‘willing of heart.’
Metzudat Zion
Answered (vaya'an) - An expression of raising the voice, as in 'and the Levites shall answer... with a loud voice' (Deuteronomy 27:14).
And the number of the burnt-offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs; all these were for a burnt-offering to Hashem.
verse value 3187
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 64 letters. Notable word values: "all·these" (כׇּל־אֵֽלֶּה) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֣ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "they·brought" (הֵבִ֣יאוּ, 5 letters). The root עלה appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "they·brought" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'two·hundred', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 3 words.
Metzudat David
'All these' – They were burnt-offerings; and this is stated for further clarification.
And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.
verse value 3152
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 29 letters. The shortest word is "six" (שֵׁ֣שׁ, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·the·consecrated·things" (וְֽהַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים, 7 letters). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "thousand" (root אלף, 62x in II Chronicles); "hundred" (root מאה, 57x in II Chronicles); "and·the·consecrated·things" (root קדש, 49x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·the·consecrated·things', dividing the verse into phrases of 1 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְֽהַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים [and·the·consecrated·things] (465) + בָּקָר֙ [cattle] (302) + שֵׁ֣שׁ [six] (600) + מֵא֔וֹת [hundred] (447) + וְצֹ֖אן [and·sheep] (147) + שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת [three] (1030) + אֲלָפִֽים [thousand] (161) = 3152.
Rashi
And the sacred offerings sacred offerings of the lower degree - [thanksgiving-] offerings and peace-offerings, from which the owners may benefit.
Ralbag
'And the consecrated things' - These are the peace-offerings, some of which were thank-offerings.
Metzudat David
'And the consecrated things' – The rest of the consecrated offerings, namely the peace-offerings and thank-offerings.
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings; wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the priests had sanctified themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
verse value 5776
Insights
Verse structure: 22 words, 108 letters. Verse gematria: 5776 = 76². The shortest word is "only" (רַ֤ק, 2 letters) and the longest is "all·the·burnt-offerings" (אֶת־כׇּל־הָעֹל֑וֹת, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 130: the·priests, the·priests. 10 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·few" (לִמְעָ֔ט), "to·strip" (לְהַפְשִׁ֖יט), "all·the·burnt-offerings" (אֶת־כׇּל־הָעֹל֑וֹת). The root כהן appears 3 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "they·were" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "for" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles); "the·priests" (root כהן, 90x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'all·the·burnt-offerings', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 14 words.
Rashi
Only the priests were few i.e., Those who had consecrated themselves were still few; so their kinsmen, the Levites, reinforced them until the work was completed and until the priests consecrated themselves. Now, should you ask: How was it that the Levites consecrated themselves and the priests did not consecrate themselves? Scripture explains: “for the Levites were more conscientious than the priests to consecrate themselves”; the Levites were more conscientious than the priests, for the priests and the Levites and all God-fearing people had disguised themselves and made themselves appear unrecognizable, and had even hidden, all the days of the wicked kings, and when Hezekiah - who was righteous - came, they could not immediately consecrate themselves and cleanse themselves, for this was in the first year of his reign; so they came and consecrated themselves gradually, as it is written (Prov. 28:12): “When the righteous rejoice, there is much glory, but when the wicked rise up, a person disguises himself,” and it is written (ibid. verse 28): “When the wicked rise up, people hide; but when they perish, the righteous increase.” When the wicked Ahaz rose up, people hid, but when he perished, the righteous increased, i.e., Hezekiah and his company.
Ralbag
'so that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings' - We learn from this that the flaying of the burnt-offerings is not required to be performed by a priest. 'for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests' - It appears that many of the priests had transgressed with idolatry during the time when the kings of Judah sinned; and therefore it says that the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in readiness to sanctify themselves for this service. For this reason the Levites were compelled to help the priests in this until the work was finished, and until priests could be found who were sanctified sufficiently to carry out their service. It is possible that some of the priests were unable to sanctify themselves because they had had a seminal emission, whereas the Levites, being more upright in heart, were able to guard themselves from this - for this impurity comes about through improper thoughts, as they said: a man may have such thoughts by day and come to impurity by night (Ketubot 46).
Metzudat David
'Did help them' – That is to say, they were assisting them. 'The work' – [Meaning] the work of flaying [the animals]. 'And until the priests had sanctified themselves' – That is to say, [the Levites] continued assisting them each time until enough priests had sanctified themselves to complete the work by themselves. 'For the Levites were more upright in heart' – They, being upright of heart, hastened to sanctify themselves more than the priests, who were slack in the matter.
Metzudat Zion
To flay (l'hafshit) - To remove the skin.
Malbim
wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them - This was for two reasons: 1) because the work was heavy on that day, and that is why it says, "the priests were too few... till the work was ended"; 2) because many of the priests had not yet sanctified themselves, and that is why it says, "and until the priests had sanctified themselves." And as for why the Levites were quicker to sanctify themselves: it is because the Levites are "upright of heart" - with regard to sanctification they were more diligent, since, being upright of heart, they hold themselves apart from [bodily] desires, and their heart is ruled by the fear of God according to the uprightness planted within it.
And also the burnt-offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace-offerings, and the drink-offerings for every burnt-offering. So the service of the house of Hashem was firmly established.
verse value 2588
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "in·abundance" (לָרֹ֜ב, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·in·the·drink-offerings" (וּבַנְּסָכִ֖ים, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 482: and·it·was·established, service·of. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·also·burnt-offering" (וְגַם־עֹלָ֨ה), "in·fat·of" (בְּחֶלְבֵ֧י), "and·in·the·drink-offerings" (וּבַנְּסָכִ֖ים). The root עלה appears 2 times in this verse. 8 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·also·burnt-offering" (root עלה, 83x in II Chronicles); "in·abundance" (root רב, 53x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·burnt-offering', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְגַם־עֹלָ֨ה [and·also·burnt-offering] (154) + לָרֹ֜ב [in·abundance] (232) + בְּחֶלְבֵ֧י [in·fat·of] (52) + הַשְּׁלָמִ֛ים [the·peace-offerings] (425) + וּבַנְּסָכִ֖ים [and·in·the·drink-offerings] (188) + לָֽעֹלָ֑ה [to·the·burnt-offering] (135) + וַתִּכּ֖וֹן [and·it·was·established] (482) + עֲבוֹדַ֥ת [service·of] (482) + בֵּית־יְהֹוָֽה [the·house·of·Hashem] (438) = 2588.
Ralbag
'And also the burnt-offerings were in abundance,' etc. - Furthermore, there were burnt-offerings in abundance there, which the priests were obligated to offer up, and this required many priests; and they also needed to offer up there the fat of the peace-offerings, which were numerous, and the drink-offerings for the burnt-offering, which were also numerous. And it is possible that it calls the fat of the peace-offerings and the drink-offerings by the name 'burnt-offering,' because they too were offered up on the altar.
Metzudat David
'And also the burnt-offerings were in abundance' – That is to say, this is why the Levites needed to assist the priests: the work was heavy, since they also offered numerous burnt-offerings along with the fat of the peace-offerings and the drink-offerings for the burnt-offerings, and the priests could not offer all of these and also do the flaying. 'Was firmly established' – Because the Levites assisted in the work of flaying.
Metzudat Zion
With the fat (b'chelvei) - Meaning, together with the fat, as in 'Has Hashem indeed spoken only through Moses?' [literally, 'b'Moshe'] (Numbers 12:2), whose sense is 'with Moses.' Was established (vatikon) - An expression of establishment.
Malbim
And also the burnt-offerings were in abundance - A third reason: the priests were occupied with bringing up and offering the limbs [of the sacrifices], which were numerous - 1) because burnt-offerings are entirely consumed [on the altar], and every burnt-offering requires several priests, so [the priests needed] were many; 2) because they also had to bring up the fat of the peace-offerings and the drink-offerings of the burnt-offerings, which the Levites were not permitted to do.
And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of that which God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done suddenly.
verse value 1886
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 48 letters. The shortest word is "because" (עַ֛ל, 2 letters) and the longest is "Hezekiah" (יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙, 7 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·rejoiced" (וַיִּשְׂמַ֤ח), "that·he·prepared" (הַהֵכִ֥ין), "suddenly" (בְּפִתְאֹ֖ם). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "to·the·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "was" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·the·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 4 words. Full calculation: וַיִּשְׂמַ֤ח [and·he·rejoiced] (364) + יְחִזְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ [Hezekiah] (146) + וְכׇל־הָעָ֔ם [and·all·the·people] (171) + עַ֛ל [because] (100) + הַהֵכִ֥ין [that·he·prepared] (90) + הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים [God] (91) + לָעָ֑ם [to·the·people] (140) + כִּ֥י [for] (30) + בְּפִתְאֹ֖ם [suddenly] (523) + הָיָ֥ה [was] (20) + הַדָּבָֽר [the·thing] (211) = 1886.
Rashi
over that which God had prepared for the people to serve Him and to do His will, similar to below (30:19): “His whole heart he set to seek, etc.,” and they also rejoiced because they were suddenly inspired in the first year of his reign to return to the Lord, and they returned immediately.
Metzudat David
'Because of that which God had prepared' – Because of what God had prepared for the people, so that everything proceeded in wonderful order, even though it all came about suddenly.
Malbim
And Hezekiah rejoiced... because of that which God had prepared - Since this had come about suddenly, without any awakening from below, they sensed that it had come about through an awakening from above, which had prepared their hearts for the purity of holiness, and had prepared for them so great an abundance of offerings, matching the joy of the day.
Rashi
Metzudat David
Malbim