Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.
Conaniah, along with his relatives Shemaiah and Nethaneel, and also Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, who were leaders among the Levites, donated animals for the Passover sacrifices. They gave the Levites five thousand sheep and goats, plus five hundred cattle.
The writer is showing how the Levite leaders generously donated thousands of animals so their fellow Levites could properly celebrate the Passover.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during King Josiah's great Passover celebration around 621 BC, one of the most significant religious reforms in Judah's history. The Levites were the priestly tribe responsible for temple service, but they needed animals for their own Passover sacrifices. Since they served in the temple rather than owning large flocks, the wealthy Levite leaders provided animals for their fellow servants.
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