II. — THE KEEPERS OF THE TEMPLE TREASURES
(20) And of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of the house of God. — Literally, And the Levites — Ahijah over the treasures,... a strange beginning, for hitherto none but Levites have been in question. We should have expected at least “the other Levites.” Further, the name Ahijah is suspicious, because (1) not found among the proper names in 1 Chronicles 23:7 sqq.; (2) it stands alone, without any reference to a family, such as is made in every other case (see 1 Chronicles 26:21-25); (3) the addition of the single letter m at the end of the word, would give the sense “their brethren,” which is in fact the reading of the LXX. Read therefore, And the Levites their brethren were over the treasures; that is, the Levites other than those whose duties have already been described.
Treasures of the house of God. — The ordinary revenues and stores of the Sanctuary, including various kinds of legally prescribed contributions, and special gifts (see Exodus 30:11-14; Leviticus 27; Numbers 18:16; 1 Chronicles 29:7-8).
Treasures of the dedicated things. — See margin and 1 Chronicles 26:26-27.