Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 31:5
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all [things] brought they in abundantly.
5. brought in abundance ] R.V. gave in abundance.
and honey ] Honey (Heb. dbash) is not elsewhere mentioned as subject to tithe; perhaps grape syrup (modern Arabic dibs) is meant here, as in Gen 43:11 and Eze 27:17 (according to some commentators). Honey (like leaven) was forbidden for sacrificial use (Lev 2:11).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Honey – See the margin. It is doubtful whether bee-honey was liable to first-fruits. The sort here intended may therefore be that which, according to Josephus, was manufactured from dates.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. Brought – the first-fruits] These were principally for the maintenance of the priests and Levites; they brought tithes of all the produce of the field, whether commanded or not, as we see in the instance of honey, which was not to be offered to the Lord, Le 2:11, yet it appears it might be offered to the priests as first-fruits, or in the way of tithes.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
As soon as the commandment came abroad; either,
1. As soon as the report of this command of the king, 2Ch 31:4, was got abroad into other parts. Or,
2. As soon as the king enlarged and extended that command to all the parts of his kingdom, which, 2Ch 31:4, was confined to them that dwell in Jerusalem. Honey, or, dates, as the Hebrew writers generally, and many other learned Hebricians, understand this word, which is given to them because of the sweetness of their taste, in some sort resembling honey. For the law requires no tithes but of the fruits of trees, or of the earth, or of beasts.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And as soon as the commandment came abroad,…. Not only was published in the city of Jerusalem, but the report of it, or rather that itself, was spread throughout the cities of Judah:
the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey; the three first of these are expressed in the law, De 18:4 but not honey; wherefore the Targum here, and the Jewish writers in general, interpret it of the “dubsa” of the palm tree, as they call it, the fruit and liquor of that, which is of a sweet taste, and which the Scenite Arabs called “dabusa”, as Pliny w from Juba relates; for so it should be read, and not “dabulan” or “dablan”, as in some copies: but though honey was forbid to be used in sacrifice, it was not forbidden to be eaten; and as the land of Judea abounded with honey, properly so called, the priests might have the firstfruits of that as of other liquors; [See comments on De 8:8],
and of all the increase of the field; of the trees of it, vines, fig trees, pomegranates, c. as Kimchi
and the tithe of all things; even of herbs, as the same writer, and so the Talmud x, which were free from tithes by the law, see Mt 23:23,
brought they in abundantly; even of all that their vineyards, oliveyards, and fields produced.
w Nat. Hist. l. 13. c. 4. x T. Bab. Nedarim, fol. 55. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) And . . . came abroad.Literally, And when the word broke forthi.e., spread abroad.
The children of Israel.Here the people of Jerusalem, who in the chroniclers day had a preeminent right to the name. (See on next verse.) The firstfruits were for the priests (Num. 18:12, seq., where the oil, wine, and wheat are specified).
And the tithe . . . abundantly.For the Levites (Num. 18:21-24).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all [things] brought they in abundantly.
Ver. 5. And as soon as the commandment came abroad. ] Heb., Brake forth. Ahaz had nulled the laws for ministers’ maintenance, that he might bring them to beggary and dishearten them – the like did Julian the apostate; – Hezekiah therefore reviveth those laws with the first: and the people readily obeyeth them.
Brought they in abundantly.
a Libenter et liberaliter.
b Maligne dantibas maledicit Deus Mal 3:9
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
as soon: 2Ch 24:10, 2Ch 24:11, Exo 35:5, Exo 35:20-29, Exo 36:5, Exo 36:6, 2Co 8:2-5
came abroad: Heb. brake forth, the first fruits, Exo 22:29, Exo 23:19, Exo 34:22, Exo 34:26, Num 18:12, Neh 10:35-39, Neh 12:44, Neh 13:12, Neh 13:31, Pro 3:9, 1Co 15:20, Jam 1:18, Rev 14:4
honey: or, dates, The word devash generally denotes the honey produced by bees; but as we have already observed (on Gen 43:11), the Jewish doctors are of opinion that it here signifies dates, of the fruit of the palm tree; which the Arabians call daboos, and the honey produced from them, dibs. “This liquor,” says Dr. Shaw, “which has a more luscious sweetness than honey, is of the consistence of a thin syrup, but quickly grows tart and ropy, acquiring an intoxicating quality, and giving by distillation an agreeable spirit, or araky, according to the general name of these people for all hot liquors, extracted by the alembic.” Though Jehovah forbad any devash, or honey, to offered to him upon the altar, yet it appears it might be presented as first-fruits, or in the way of tithes, which were designed for the sustenance of the priests.
Reciprocal: Gen 14:20 – tithes Lev 2:12 – the oblation Lev 27:30 – General Num 18:21 – the tenth Deu 26:2 – That thou shalt 1Ch 9:26 – chambers Neh 12:47 – gave Mar 12:44 – cast in of Luk 11:42 – and not
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 31:5. As soon as the commandment came abroad Either, 1st, As soon as the report of this command of the king was known abroad in other parts; or, 2d, As soon as the king had enlarged and extended that command to all the parts of his kingdom, which (2Ch 31:4) was confined to them that dwelt in Jerusalem. Honey Or dates, as the Hebrew writers generally understand the word , debash, in this place, a name which was given to them because of the sweetness of their taste, in some sort resembling honey. For the law requires no tithes but those of the fruits of trees, or of the earth, or of beasts.