Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 29:34
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.
34. the other priests ] R.V. the priests.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The Levites were more upright etc – See the marginal reference. Urijah, the high priest, had participated to some extent in the impieties of Ahaz 2Ki 16:10-16. He and many of the priests may, therefore, have looked coldly on the reforming zeal of Hezekiah.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 34. They could not flay all the burnt-offerings] Peace-offerings, and such like, the Levites might flay and dress; but the whole burnt-offerings, that is, those which were entirely consumed on the altar, could be touched only by the priests, unless in a case of necessity, such as is mentioned here.
The Levites were more upright in heart] The priests seem to have been very backward in this good work; the Levites were more ready to help forward this glorious reformation. Why the former should have been so backward is not easy to tell; but it appears to have been the fact. Indeed, it often happens that the higher orders of the priesthood are less concerned for the prosperity of true religion than the lower. Why is this? They are generally too busy about worldly things, or too much satisfied with secular emoluments. A rich priesthood is not favourable either to the spread or depth of religion. Earthly gratifications are often put in the place of Divine influences: it is almost a miracle to see a very rich man deeply interested in behalf either of his own soul, or the souls of others.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The priests were too few, to wit, such as were sanctified and fit for their work, as the following words show; for otherwise the number of the priests was more than sufficient for this employment.
They could not flay all the burnt-offerings; and much less all the other sacrifices, which were more numerous; the flaying whereof was the priests proper work, Lev 1:5,6.
The Levites did help them; necessity excusing their deviation from the rule, as it hath excused others in like cases.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
34-36. the priests were too few, . .. wherefore their brethren the Levites did help themThe skinsof beasts intended as peace offerings might be taken off by theofficers, because, in such cases, the carcass was not wholly laidupon the altar; but animals meant for burnt offerings which werewholly consumed by fire could be flayed by the priests alone, noteven the Levites being allowed to touch them, except in cases ofunavoidable necessity (2Ch 35:11).The duty being assigned by the law to the priests (Le1:6), was construed by consuetudinary practice as an exclusion ofall others not connected with the Aaronic family.
for the Levites were moreupright in heart to sanctify themselves than the prieststhatis, displayed greater alacrity than the priests. This service washastened by the irrepressible solicitude of the king. Whether it wasthat many of the priests, being absent in the country, had notarrived in timewhether from the long interruption of the publicduties, some of them had relaxed in their wonted attentions topersonal cleanliness, and had many preparations to makeor whetherfrom some having participated in the idolatrous services introducedby Ahaz, they were backward in repairing to the templea reflectiondoes seem to be cast upon their order as dilatory and not universallyready for duty (compare 2Ch30:15). Thus was the newly consecrated temple reopened to the nosmall joy of the pious king and all the people.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings,…. Take off the skins of them, which used to be done by the priests, Le 1:6,
wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them till the work was ended; assisted in the flaying of the sacrifices, until they had gone through the service of this time, and the skins of all the sacrifices were flayed off:
and until the other priests had sanctified themselves; who had been negligent of it, or had defiled themselves by idolatry:
for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests; were more ready to do it, and did it with greater cheerfulness and good will; were not backward to do it, but did it at once.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(34) Flay all the burnt offerings.In private offerings this was done by the worshipper himself (Lev. 1:6). In national sacrifices it appears to have been the duty of the priests.
Did help them.See margin; and Ezr. 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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 29:34 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.
Ver. 34. So that they could not slay all. ] Slay them, and flay them, and lay them on the altar piecemeal.
For the Levites were more upright,
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the priests: Peace offerings, and such like, the Levites might flay and dress; but the whole burnt offerings could only be touched by the priests, except in a case of necessity, such as the present. 2Ch 29:5, 2Ch 30:16, 2Ch 30:17
their brethren: 2Ch 35:11, Num 8:15, Num 8:19, Num 18:3, Num 18:6, Num 18:7
did help them: Heb. strengthened them
for the Levites: 2Ch 30:3
upright: 1Ch 29:17, Psa 7:10, Psa 26:6, Psa 94:15
Reciprocal: Exo 19:10 – sanctify 2Ki 12:6 – the priests 1Ch 15:14 – sanctified 2Ch 5:11 – sanctified 2Ch 30:15 – were ashamed 2Ch 30:24 – a great 2Ch 35:6 – sanctify Ezr 6:20 – purified together Neh 12:30 – themselves Eze 44:11 – shall slay Act 6:7 – the priests
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 29:34. The priests were too few Namely, such as were sanctified and fit for the work, as the following words show. Many of them, it is probable, had been suspended and laid aside as polluted, for having sacrificed to idols in the last reign, and the rest had not the zeal that might have been expected on such an occasion. Therefore they took no care to sanctify themselves: and being unsanctified, and so unqualified, they made their excuse for being absent from the service; as if their offence would be their defence. It is recorded here, to the perpetual shame of the priests, that though they were so well provided for out of the offerings of the Lord, yet they did not mind their business. Here was work to do, and there wanted proper hands to do it. So that they could not flay all the burnt-offerings And much less all the other sacrifices, which were more numerous; the flaying whereof was the priests proper work, Lev 1:5-6. Wherefore the priests did help them Necessity excusing a deviation from the rule, as it hath excused in other cases. For the Levites were more upright in heart, &c., than the priests They were better affected to the work, and better prepared and qualified for it. This was their praise; and, in recompense for it, they had the honour of being employed in that which was the priests work. Thus encouragement was given to the faithful, zealous Levites, and a just disgrace cast upon the careless priests. What the Levites wanted in the ceremonial advantages of their birth and consecration, was abundantly made up in their eminent qualifications of knowledge and zeal for the work.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
29:34 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] {q} more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
(q) Meaning, were more zealous to set forth the religion.