2 Chronicles 29:34
New International Version
The priests, however, were too few to skin all the burnt offerings; so their relatives the Levites helped them until the task was finished and until other priests had been consecrated, for the Levites had been more conscientious in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.

New Living Translation
But there were too few priests to prepare all the burnt offerings. So their relatives the Levites helped them until the work was finished and more priests had been purified, for the Levites had been more conscientious about purifying themselves than the priests had been.

English Standard Version
But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves.

Berean Standard Bible
However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.

King James Bible
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 other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

New King James Version
But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brethren the Levites helped them until the work was ended and until the other priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more diligent in sanctifying themselves than the priests.

New American Standard Bible
But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was finished and the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests.

NASB 1995
But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was completed and until the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests.

NASB 1977
But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was completed, and until the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests.

Legacy Standard Bible
But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was completed and until the other priests had set themselves apart as holy. For the Levites were more upright of heart to set themselves apart as holy than the priests.

Amplified Bible
But there were too few priests and they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; so until the other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was done. For the Levites were more upright in heart and more conscientious than the priests in consecrating themselves.

Christian Standard Bible
However, since there were not enough priests, they weren’t able to skin all the burnt offerings, so their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests were.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
However, since there were not enough priests, they weren’t able to skin all the burnt offerings, so their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests were.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
There were not enough priests to skin all these animals, because many of the priests had not taken the time to go through the ceremony to make themselves clean. However, since all the Levites had made themselves clean, they helped the priests until the last animal was skinned.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But the priests needed more help to skin all the burnt offerings. So their relatives, the Levites, helped them until the work was completed and the priests could make themselves holy. The Levites were more diligent in making themselves holy than the priests were.

Good News Translation
Since there were not enough priests to kill all these animals, the Levites helped them until the work was finished. By then more priests had made themselves ritually clean. (The Levites were more faithful in keeping ritually clean than the priests were.)

International Standard Version
Because there weren't enough priests, they were unable to prepare all the burnt offerings until other priests came forward after having consecrated themselves, so their descendant of Levi relatives assisted them until the services were complete. (The descendants of Levi had been more conscientious in consecrating themselves than had been the priests.)

Majority Standard Bible
However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.

NET Bible
But there were not enough priests to skin all the animals, so their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was finished and the priests could consecrate themselves. (The Levites had been more conscientious about consecrating themselves than the priests.)

New Heart English Bible
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: therefore their brothers the Levites helped them, until 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.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites helped them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

World English Bible
But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Only, the priests have become few, and have not been able to strip the whole of the burnt-offerings, and their brothers the Levites strengthen them until the completion of the work, and until the priests sanctify themselves, for the Levites [are] more upright of heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

Young's Literal Translation
Only, the priests have become few, and have not been able to strip the whole of the burnt-offerings, and their brethren the Levites strengthen them till the completion of the work, and till the priests sanctify themselves, for the Levites are more upright of heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

Smith's Literal Translation
Only the priests were for fewness and they could not slaughter all the burnt-offerings: and their brethren the Levites will strengthen them till the finishing of the work, and till the priests shall consecrate themselves: for the Levites being upright of heart to consecrate themselves more than the priests.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the priests were few, and were not enough to flay the holocausts: wherefore the Levites their brethren helped them, till the work was ended, and priests were sanctified, for the Levites are sanctified with an easier rite than the priests.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Truly, the priests were few; neither were they sufficient to remove the pelts from the holocausts. Therefore, the Levites, their brothers, also assisted them, until the work was completed, and the priests, who were of higher rank, were sanctified. For indeed, the Levites are sanctified with an easier ritual than the priests.

New American Bible
Since there were too few priests to skin all the victims for the burnt offerings, their fellow Levites assisted them until the task was completed and the priests had sanctified themselves. The Levites, in fact, were more careful than the priests to sanctify themselves.

New Revised Standard Version
But the priests were too few and could not skin all the burnt offerings, so, until other priests had sanctified themselves, their kindred, the Levites, helped them until the work was finished—for the Levites were more conscientious than the priests in sanctifying themselves.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But the priests were too few, so that they could not slay all the burnt offerings; therefore their brethren, the Levites, helped them until the work was finished, and after this the priests sanctified themselves; for the Levites were meek in their hearts to sanctify themselves more than the priests.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Only the Priests were few and were not able to serve up all the sacrifices, and their brethren the Levites helped them until all the work was finished, and after these things Priests were hallowed, because the Levites were humbled in their heart to be made holier than Priests.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But the priests were few, and could not flay the whole-burnt-offering, so their brethren the Levites helped them, until the work was finished, and until the priests had purified themselves: for the Levites more zealously purified themselves than the priests.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship
33And the consecrated offerings were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep. 34However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had been consecrated. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been. 35Furthermore, the burnt offerings were abundant, along with the fat of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. So the service of the house of the LORD was established.…

Cross References
Leviticus 8:24
Moses also presented Aaron’s sons and put some of the blood on their right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Then he splattered the blood on all sides of the altar.

1 Chronicles 23:13
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.

1 Chronicles 24:31
As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike.

2 Chronicles 30:3
since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:15-17
And on the fourteenth day of the second month they slaughtered the Passover lamb. The priests and Levites were ashamed, and they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the LORD. / They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests splattered the blood, which they received from the hand of the Levites. / Since there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs for every unclean person to consecrate the lambs to the LORD.

2 Chronicles 31:2
Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.

2 Chronicles 35:11-14
And they slaughtered the Passover lambs, while the priests splattered the blood handed to them and the Levites skinned the animals. / They set aside the burnt offerings to be given to the divisions of the families of the people to offer to the LORD, as it is written in the Book of Moses. And they did the same with the bulls. / They roasted the Passover animals on the fire according to the regulation, and they boiled the other holy offerings in pots, kettles, and bowls and quickly brought them to all the people. ...

Ezra 6:20
All the priests and Levites had purified themselves and were ceremonially clean. And the Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their priestly brothers, and for themselves.

Nehemiah 12:44-47
And on that same day men were appointed over the rooms that housed the supplies, contributions, firstfruits, and tithes. The portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites were gathered into these storerooms from the fields of the villages, because Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who were serving. / They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, along with the singers and gatekeepers, as David and his son Solomon had prescribed. / For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. ...

Isaiah 66:21
“And I will select some of them as priests and Levites,” says the LORD.

Matthew 9:37-38
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. / Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”

Matthew 22:14
For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Luke 10:2
And He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.

Acts 6:3-4
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them / and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 13:2
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”


Treasury of Scripture

But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: why their brothers the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

2 Chronicles 20:5
And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,

2 Chronicles 30:16,17
And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites…

their brethren

2 Chronicles 35:11
And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.

Numbers 8:15,19
And after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt cleanse them, and offer them for an offering…

Numbers 18:3,6,7
And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die…

did help them [heb] strengthened them

2 Chronicles 30:3
For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

upright

1 Chronicles 29:17
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

Psalm 7:10
My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

Psalm 26:6
I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:

Jump to Previous
Burnt Burnt-Offerings Ended Few Flay Heart Help Helped Levites Offerings Priests rings Sanctified Sanctify Skin Themselves Unable Upright Wherefore Work
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Burnt Burnt-Offerings Ended Few Flay Heart Help Helped Levites Offerings Priests rings Sanctified Sanctify Skin Themselves Unable Upright Wherefore Work
2 Chronicles 29
1. Hezekiah's good reign.
3. He restores religion
5. He exhorts the Levites
12. They sanctify themselves, and cleanse the house of God
20. Hezekiah offers solemn sacrifices,
24. wherein the Levites are more forward than the priests














The priests, however, were too few
This phrase highlights a significant issue during King Hezekiah's reign: the shortage of priests. The Hebrew word for "priests" is "kohen," which refers to those set apart for temple service. Historically, the priesthood was a hereditary office from the line of Aaron. The scarcity of priests suggests a period of neglect in religious duties, possibly due to the idolatrous practices of previous kings. This shortage underscores the need for spiritual renewal and reform, which Hezekiah was initiating.

to skin all the burnt offerings
The act of skinning burnt offerings was a labor-intensive task, part of the sacrificial system established in the Mosaic Law. The Hebrew term for "burnt offerings" is "olah," meaning "that which goes up," referring to the smoke ascending to God. This sacrificial act symbolized atonement and dedication to God. The overwhelming number of offerings indicates a revival of worship and repentance among the people, aligning with Hezekiah's reforms.

so their kinsmen the Levites helped them
The Levites, descendants of Levi, were assigned to assist the priests in temple duties. The Hebrew word "Levi" means "joined" or "attached," reflecting their role in supporting the priesthood. This cooperation between priests and Levites illustrates unity and shared responsibility in worship. It also highlights the Levites' readiness to serve, stepping in to fulfill the needs of the moment, which is a testament to their dedication.

until the task was completed
This phrase emphasizes perseverance and commitment to fulfilling God's commands. The Hebrew root "kalah" means "to complete" or "finish," indicating that the Levites and priests worked diligently until the sacrificial duties were fully accomplished. This dedication serves as an inspirational model for completing the work God sets before His people, regardless of challenges.

and more priests had been consecrated
Consecration, from the Hebrew "qadash," means to be set apart as holy. The need for more priests to be consecrated suggests a revival and expansion of religious duties. This process involved purification and dedication to God's service, reflecting a return to covenant faithfulness. It signifies a renewal of spiritual leadership necessary for guiding the people in worship.

for the Levites had been more conscientious in consecrating themselves
The Levites' conscientiousness, from the Hebrew "yashar," meaning "upright" or "straight," indicates their earnestness in maintaining purity and readiness for service. This dedication contrasts with the priests' initial lack of preparedness, highlighting the Levites' exemplary commitment to God. Their actions serve as a call to all believers to pursue holiness and readiness in serving the Lord.

than the priests had been
This comparison underscores a spiritual disparity between the Levites and priests at that time. The priests, though holding a higher office, had not been as diligent in their consecration. This serves as a reminder that position alone does not equate to spiritual readiness or dedication. It challenges all believers to examine their own commitment to God, regardless of their role or title within the community of faith.

(34) Flay all the burnt offerings.--In private offerings this was done by the worshipper himself (Leviticus 1:6). In national sacrifices it appears to have been the duty of the priests.

Did help them.--See margin; and Ezra 6:22.

Until the other priests had sanctified.--Began to sanctify themselves, as a body.

For the Levites . . . in heart.--The priests, as a class, were probably more deeply involved in the corruption of the last reign.

Verse 34. - Originally, the worshipper who was moved to sacrifice was enjoined to slay, flay, and cut in pieces the victim (Leviticus 1:2-6). Later the Levites performed these duties, and on great public occasions, at any rate, the priests themselves. The simple tale of this verse speaks volumes of the state of the ecclesiastical profession and of the ecclesiastical heart at this very time. Into the dishonoured sepulchre already two or three unsuspected and apparently unacknowledged chinks had let in reproving light as to this, and very lately the almost unavoidable inferences respecting Urijah (see note on our ver. 1, and on 2 Chronicles 28:24, compared with 2 Kings 16:10-16) served the same purpose. How true to nature and to history, both secular and ecclesiastical also, the superiority, in sincerity and life and preparation for work, of the subordinates (the Levites), to those who fed on dignity rather than maintained it, in the highest sense, by religious life and conscientious practice!

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
However,
רַ֤ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

since there were
הָי֣וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

not enough
לִמְעָ֔ט (lim·‘āṭ)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

priests
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

to skin
לְהַפְשִׁ֖יט (lə·hap̄·šîṭ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the burnt offerings,
הָעֹל֑וֹת (hā·‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

their Levite
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

brothers
אֲחֵיהֶ֣ם (’ă·ḥê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

helped
וַֽיְּחַזְּק֞וּם (way·yə·ḥaz·zə·qūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

them until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the work
הַמְּלָאכָה֙ (ham·mə·lā·ḵāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

was finished
כְּל֤וֹת (kə·lō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

and until
וְעַ֣ד (wə·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the priests
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

had been consecrated.
יִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ (yiṯ·qad·də·šū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

For
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the Levites
הַלְוִיִּם֙ (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

had been more diligent
יִשְׁרֵ֣י (yiš·rê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3477: Straight, right

in consecrating themselves
לְהִתְקַדֵּ֖שׁ (lə·hiṯ·qad·dêš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

than the priests had been.
מֵֽהַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃ (mê·hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 29:34 But the priests were too few so (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 29:33
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