2 Chronicles 31:5 - Exposition

Honey ; Hebrew, דְּבַשׁ . This is no doubt the proper word for the honey of bees, for see 14:8-18 ; 1 Samuel 14:27 ; Psalms 19:11 , and many other passages. It is not certain, however, that the word did not cover other sweet preparations, as probably in Genesis 43:11 ; Ezekiel 27:17 . The alternative reading, "dates," has thus come into the margin, but on very insufficient title, as, while there is doubt as to whether the honey of bees was generally tithed, there is none at all that the people's pious zeal might prompt them to bring tithe of it voluntarily, among other things, that they at any time held in honour and had in abundance.