5 let the priests take it to them, every man from his acquaintance; and they shall repair the breaches of the house, wherever any breach shall be found."
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The collection was not to be made in Jerusalem only, but in all "the cities of Judah" 2-Chronicles 24:5; the various priests and Levites being collectors in their own neighborhoods.
Breaches - The word in the original includes every kind and degree of ruin or dilapidation.
Let the priests take [it] to them, every man of his acquaintance: and let them repair the (d) breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found.
(d) For the temple which was built a hundred and fifty-five years before, had many things decayed in it, both by the negligence of the king's predecessors, and also by the wickedness of the idolaters.
Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance,.... Of those that were most known by them; for the priests had cities assigned them in several parts of the land, and they that dwelt with them in them, or in the parts adjacent to them, were best known by them; and they were sent into all the cities, some to one and some to another, where they were most acquainted, to collect money, both what was due by law, and what the people should freely give, see 2-Chronicles 24:5.
and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found: that is, of the temple, which, according to the Jewish chronology (i), had been built but one hundred and fifty five years; and being built very strong, would have needed no considerable repairs as yet, but that it had been broken up and misused by Athaliah and her sons, 2-Chronicles 24:7.
(i) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 18.
*More commentary available at chapter level.