1 Chronicles 15:14 kjv
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
1 Chronicles 15:14 nkjv
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
1 Chronicles 15:14 niv
So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.
1 Chronicles 15:14 esv
So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.
1 Chronicles 15:14 nlt
So the priests and the Levites purified themselves in order to bring the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 15 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 4:15 | "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects… the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them… " | Levites designated to carry sacred objects |
| Deut 10:8 | "At that time the Lᴏʀᴅ set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lᴏʀᴅ..." | Levites specifically chosen for Ark |
| Ex 19:10-11 | "Go to the people and consecrate them today... so that they may be ready for the third day..." | Consecration before meeting God |
| Ex 29:1 | "This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests:" | Instructions for priestly consecration |
| Lev 10:3 | "Then Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the Lᴏʀᴅ spoke: "Among those who are near me I will be sanctified..."'" | God's holiness demands reverence from priests |
| 2 Sam 6:6-7 | "When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand... the anger of the Lᴏʀᴅ was aroused..." | Warning of improper handling of the Ark |
| 1 Chron 13:9-10 | "When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand... because he had put out his hand..." | David's initial failure; God's judgment on irreverence |
| 1 Chron 15:2 | "Then David said, 'No one is to carry the ark of God except the Levites, for the Lᴏʀᴅ has chosen them...'" | Explicit instruction given by David to Levites |
| 1 Chron 23:26 | "For the Levites no longer needed to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles for its service." | Later change in Levite duties; historical note |
| 2 Chron 29:5 | "and said to them, 'Listen to me, O Levites! Consecrate yourselves now, and consecrate the house of the Lᴏʀᴅ...'" | Call for temple consecration; general principle |
| Ps 24:3-4 | "Who may ascend the hill of the Lᴏʀᴅ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart..." | Purity required for approaching God |
| Heb 9:3-4 | "Behind the second curtain was a tabernacle called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the ark..." | Ark's location in Holy of Holies |
| Heb 9:7 | "But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood..." | Limited access to God's holiest presence |
| Rom 12:1 | "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing..." | New Covenant: believers as living sacrifices |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" | Believers called to personal holiness |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession..." | New Covenant: believers as a spiritual priesthood |
| Eph 5:26-27 | "...to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church..." | Consecration/sanctification of the Church |
| John 17:17-19 | "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth... For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." | Jesus' prayer for believer's sanctification |
| Heb 10:19-22 | "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus... let us draw near..." | Access to God through Christ's sacrifice |
| Titus 2:14 | "...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." | Christ's purpose to purify His people |
| 2 Tim 2:21 | "If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy..." | Self-cleansing for useful service to God |
1 Chronicles 15 verses
1 Chronicles 15 14 Meaning
1 Chronicles 15:14 describes the direct and personal action taken by the designated religious leaders of Israel to prepare themselves appropriately for handling the Ark of the Covenant. After David’s previous failed attempt to move the Ark, this verse highlights the critical understanding that approaching God’s holy presence requires strict adherence to His divine commands concerning consecration and ritual purity. The verse emphasizes obedience to divine instruction as the pathway to successful divine service and access to God's presence.
1 Chronicles 15 14 Context
This verse is situated after a pivotal moment in Israelite history—King David's failed attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chron 13; paralleled in 2 Sam 6). That initial attempt resulted in the tragic death of Uzzah, who touched the Ark directly, demonstrating a clear disregard for God's prescribed method of transport (Num 4). The context immediately preceding 1 Chron 15:14 is David's realization of this error. He diligently consults the Mosaic Law, discovering that only the Levites were appointed by God to carry the Ark on poles (1 Chron 15:2). The verse marks the crucial step of compliance and reverence taken by the Levites themselves, highlighting a transition from human presumption to divine obedience. This commitment to proper protocol ensures the successful and reverent re-engagement with God’s sacred presence.
1 Chronicles 15 14 Word analysis
- So: (Heb. וַיִּקְדְּשׁוּ֙ waw·yiq·qe·shu) This conjunction introduces the consequence of David's instruction and the previous failed attempt. It implies a direct result, an action taken in response to gained knowledge and divine command.
- the priests: (Heb. הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים ha·koh·a·nim) Refers to the Kohanim, descendants of Aaron, who served in the Tabernacle and Temple, performing specific sacrificial and ritual duties. While Levites carried the Ark, priests often oversaw holy objects and rites.
- and the Levites: (Heb. וְהַלְוִיִּם֙ we·hal·wi·yim) Refers to the Leviim, the entire tribe of Levi, from whom the priests (Aaronites) were a subset. The broader Levite tribe was responsible for the Tabernacle/Temple service, including the specific duty of carrying the Ark as mandated by the Mosaic Law. This distinguishes their roles while showing collective responsibility for sacred service.
- consecrated themselves: (Heb. וַיִּקְדְּשׁוּ֙ waw·yiq·qe·shu from the root קָדַשׁ qadash - to be holy, to consecrate, to set apart as holy). This is a reflexive verb, meaning they purified themselves. This involves ceremonial washing, abstaining from certain activities, and internal dedication to God. It signifies a deliberate act of spiritual and ritual preparation, demonstrating personal commitment to purity before serving a holy God. It stands in direct contrast to a casual or irreverent approach.
- to bring up: (Heb. לְהַעֲל֗וֹת le·ha·‘a·lowt) Signifies the purpose of their consecration—the act of transport, specifically moving the Ark from the house of Obed-Edom to Jerusalem. This act was service, not merely carrying.
- the ark of the LORD: (Heb. אֲר֧וֹן יְהוָ֛ה ’a·ron Yah·weh) The most sacred artifact of Israel, representing God’s throne and presence among His people, holding the tablets of the Covenant, Aaron's rod, and manna. The definite article "the" emphasizes its singular importance. "LORD" is Yahweh, the covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereign power and covenant faithfulness.
- the God of Israel: (Heb. אֱלֹהֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל ’e·lo·hei Yis·ra·'el) Further specifies the identity of Yahweh as the unique deity of the nation of Israel, emphasizing His particular relationship with His chosen people. It confirms the divine origin of the commands being followed and highlights God's authority over Israel.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves": This phrase highlights proactive and personal obedience. It shows the lesson from Uzzah's death was learned—God's standards of holiness demand self-preparation, not just technical observance, but a heart posture of reverence. This group signifies communal obedience stemming from personal responsibility.
- "to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel": This phrase details the sacred task and the holy object. It underscores the ultimate reverence required for anything directly associated with Yahweh, the unique and covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes that the purpose of their consecration was solely for a God-ordained mission.
1 Chronicles 15 14 Bonus section
The repeated emphasis on the "Ark of the LORD" and "the God of Israel" in 1 Chronicles 15 underscores a polemic against pagan practices where divine objects or images could be touched or handled by anyone, or where gods were believed to be controllable through human rituals. The narrative strongly contrasts this by asserting Yahweh's absolute sovereignty and the specific, exclusive, and pure approach required for His holy presence. This acted as a teaching moment for Israel about the unique nature of their God and the unparalleled reverence due to Him, unlike the gods of the surrounding nations.
In the New Covenant, believers are considered a "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9). While there is no physical Ark, the principle of consecration remains vital. Our "bringing up the Ark" is living a life dedicated to God, being a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), and approaching God through Christ's perfect sacrifice (Heb 10:19-22). The "consecrating themselves" now points to personal holiness and spiritual cleansing (Rom 12:1; 2 Cor 7:1) enabled by the Word and the Spirit, acknowledging that God still demands purity from those who serve Him and bear His name.
1 Chronicles 15 14 Commentary
Following the previous tragic attempt, 1 Chronicles 15:14 marks a critical shift in the process of bringing the Ark to Jerusalem. The prior failure was due to improper handling, specifically neglecting God's precise instructions regarding its transport (1 Chron 13). Here, the very first step taken by those responsible—the priests and Levites—was to consecrate themselves. This self-purification was not an arbitrary ritual but a divinely commanded preparation essential for handling the holiest object in Israel, representing the very presence of the Almighty God of Israel. It shows an understanding that a holy God must be approached with holiness. Their act signifies deep reverence, acknowledgement of past error, and strict adherence to God's law. This physical and spiritual preparation reflects an understanding that mere physical proximity to sacred objects is insufficient; internal purity and obedient intention are paramount when serving God. This example underscores the timeless truth that God requires those who minister in His presence to be set apart and cleansed according to His will, highlighting His uncompromising holiness.