Now.And.

At what time the chest was brought. — Literally, at the time when one used to bring the chest to the royal inspection (or, to the king’s officers pĕquddâh), by the hand of the Levites; i.e., whenever the chest was brought, &c.

The chronicler, as usual, is careful to record the participation of the Levites in the business.

The king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest. — Rather, the king’s scribe (or accountant) and the high priest’s officer would come in and empty the chest; and they (i.e., the Levites) would take it up and restore it to its place.

Kings has: “The king’s scribe and the high priest came up, and bound up and counted the money that was found in the house of the Lord.” The substitution of “the high priest’s officer” for “the high priest” seems to be made in the interest of the high priest’s dignity. In the time of the chronicler the high priesthood was invested with all the greater majesty in that the monarchy was a thing of the distant past.

Day by day. — That is, time after time, as often as the chest seemed full (lĕyôm bĕyôm). The Hebrew phrase only occurs here. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 12:22.)

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising