1 Chronicles 23:13 kjv
The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.
1 Chronicles 23:13 nkjv
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses; and Aaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should sanctify the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to Him, and to give the blessing in His name forever.
1 Chronicles 23:13 niv
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants forever, to consecrate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices before the LORD, to minister before him and to pronounce blessings in his name forever.
1 Chronicles 23:13 esv
The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the LORD and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever.
1 Chronicles 23:13 nlt
The sons of Amram were Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart to dedicate the most holy things, to offer sacrifices in the LORD's presence, to serve the LORD, and to pronounce blessings in his name forever.
1 Chronicles 23 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 28:1 | "Bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him..." | Divine call of Aaron to priesthood. |
| Ex 29:9 | "You shall ordain Aaron and his sons... so the priesthood shall be theirs for all time." | Ordinance of Aaron's perpetual priesthood. |
| Lev 8:12 | "...poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him..." | Aaron's formal consecration to service. |
| Num 3:10 | "You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood..." | Clarification of priestly authority. |
| Num 6:23-27 | "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel..." | Institution of the priestly blessing. |
| Num 16:40 | "...no outsider... should come near to offer incense before the Lord..." | Exclusive right to offer incense to Aaron's line. |
| Num 18:7 | "As for you and your sons... you shall attend to your priesthood for all things of the altar and for all things within the veil..." | Specific duties related to sanctuary. |
| Num 25:13 | "...it shall be to him and to his descendants after him a covenant of a perpetual priesthood..." | Covenant of perpetual priesthood confirmed for Phinehas (Aaron's grandson). |
| Dt 10:8 | "At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi... to bless in His name..." | Levi chosen for service, priests as special part. |
| 1 Sam 2:35 | "I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in My heart..." | Prophecy of a faithful priesthood. |
| 1 Chr 24:1 | "Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron." | Organizational structure for Aaron's descendants. |
| 2 Chr 26:16-21 | King Uzziah attempts to burn incense, punished with leprosy. | Unauthorized priestly function has dire consequences. |
| Heb 5:1-6 | "Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God..." | Defines the high priest's role, leading to Christ. |
| Heb 7:11-28 | "If perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood... what further need would there have been for another priest to arise...?" | New covenant priesthood in Christ supersedes the Levitical. |
| Heb 8:1-2 | "We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places..." | Christ as the ultimate, heavenly High Priest. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come... through His own blood, He entered once for all into the holy place..." | Christ's sacrifice is superior and final. |
| Heb 10:11-14 | "Every priest stands daily ministering... but when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God." | Fulfillment of priestly duties in Christ. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood..." | Believers as spiritual priests. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." | All believers share in a spiritual priesthood. |
| Rev 1:6 | "...and He has made us to be a kingdom and priests to His God and Father..." | Believers made priests through Christ. |
| Rev 5:10 | "You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God..." | Believers' priestly status in the new creation. |
1 Chronicles 23 verses
1 Chronicles 23 13 Meaning
This verse definitively establishes the specific and perpetual role of Aaron and his descendants within the lineage of Amram, a branch of the tribe of Levi. It declares their exclusive divine appointment for handling the most sacred aspects of Israelite worship—namely, to consecrate and manage the holiest offerings and sanctuary items, to burn incense as an act of worship before the Lord, to perform the dedicated service required for the Tabernacle (and later, Temple), and to bless the people in God's name, all confirmed to be an everlasting mandate.
1 Chronicles 23 13 Context
This verse is found within David's meticulous organization of the Levites and priests for service in the future Temple that his son Solomon would build. Chapter 23 outlines the responsibilities of the Levites aged twenty and above, dividing them into different roles: caring for the Tabernacle/Temple, assistants to Aaron's descendants, musicians, gatekeepers, and officials. Verse 13 specifically narrows the focus to the unique and indispensable role of Aaron's lineage (the Aaronites) within the broader Levite tribe. It emphasizes their exclusive duties relating to the most sacred elements of worship, distinguishing their priestly functions from the general service duties of other Levites. Historically, this account, written from a post-exilic perspective, served to re-establish and underscore the continuity and divine legitimacy of the priesthood, assuring the repatriated community of the proper order for divine worship according to God's ancient covenant with Israel.
1 Chronicles 23 13 Word analysis
- The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses: This introduces the two most prominent sons of Amram, Kohath's son (of Levi). While Moses was the great prophet and law-giver, his inclusion here highlights that although of the same lineage, their divine appointments were distinct, setting the stage to focus solely on Aaron's priestly role.
- Aaron (אַהֲרֹן - Aharon): Signifies "light-bringer" or "mountaineer." He was chosen by God to be the first high priest, representing the entire priesthood established through his line. The verse primarily focuses on his designated role.
- was set apart (לְהַבְדִּיל - lehavdil) / to consecrate (לְהַקְדִּישׁ - lehaqdish): The Hebrew verb "badal" (בּדל) means "to divide," "to separate," or "to distinguish." When followed by "haqdish" (קָדַשׁ), it carries the sense of "to make holy" or "to dedicate for sacred use." It underscores that Aaron and his line were specifically separated from all others for a sacred purpose by divine choice.
- the most holy things (קֹדֶשׁ קֳדָשִׁים - kodesh kodashim): Literally "holiness of holinesses." This phrase denotes the highest degree of sanctity, referring to things, places (like the Holy of Holies), or sacrifices that were extremely sacred and could only be handled or eaten by consecrated priests in specific circumstances. It speaks to the extreme holiness and the danger of improper handling.
- he and his sons forever (הוּא וּבָנָיו עַד עוֹלָם - hu uvanav ad olam): This phrase emphasizes the hereditary and perpetual nature of the Aaronic priesthood. The divine appointment was not temporary or for Aaron alone but extended through his lineage in perpetuity, establishing a permanent priestly succession.
- to burn incense (לְהַקְטִיר קְטֹרֶת - lehaqṭir qetoret): A highly significant priestly function (Ex 30:7-8). The burning of incense on the golden altar was an act of worship, symbolizing the prayers of God's people ascending to Him (Ps 141:2, Rev 8:3-4). This duty was exclusively reserved for the priests of Aaron's line, with severe consequences for usurpation.
- before the Lord (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lifnei YHVH): Signifies direct, authorized access to God's presence, indicating the sacred and privileged nature of their service, functioning as mediators between God and the people.
- to minister to Him (לְשָׁרֵת אֹתוֹ - leshareth oto): This refers to the broader concept of dedicated service and attentive worship directed towards God. It encompasses all their priestly duties, including officiating sacrifices, maintaining the Tabernacle/Temple, and upholding ceremonial laws.
- and to bless in His name (וּלְבָרֵךְ בִּשְׁמוֹ - ulevarekh bishmo): A pivotal function found in the Priestly Blessing (Num 6:22-27). This wasn't merely wishing well, but conveying God's grace, protection, and peace directly to the people as His representatives. To bless "in His name" means to do so with divine authority and power.
- forever (עַד עוֹלָם - ad olam): Reiterates the eternal nature of this divine appointment, emphasizing its covenantal permanence. While the Levitical system served its purpose, its ultimate "forever" points to Christ's superior and everlasting priesthood, in whom the true and eternal function is fulfilled.
1 Chronicles 23 13 Bonus section
- Distinction from Levites: The verse makes a clear distinction between the general Levite duties outlined in the surrounding verses and the specific, exclusive functions of Aaron's sons, underscoring the hierarchy and specialized nature of priestly service. Not all Levites were priests; only Aaron's male descendants.
- Anticipation of Christ: The "forever" aspect of this earthly priesthood serves as a type, or foreshadowing, of Christ's perfect and eternal High Priesthood (Hebrews 7), which supersedes and ultimately fulfills the Aaronic order, establishing a new and better covenant.
- Sacred Space and Sacred Service: The focus on "most holy things" reinforces the profound reverence required in Israelite worship and the strict boundaries set by God concerning access to His presence and holy articles, emphasizing divine holiness.
- The Act of Blessing: The priestly blessing was not merely a good wish but a divine act. The priests were conduits of God's favor and presence upon His people, reinforcing the covenantal relationship.
1 Chronicles 23 13 Commentary
This verse stands as a foundational statement regarding the divine structure of worship in Israel. It succinctly reiterates God's eternal covenant with Aaron's house for the priestly ministry, a covenant initiated at Mount Sinai and confirmed throughout the wilderness wandering. David, in ordering the Levites for the future Temple, emphasizes that the core, exclusive functions of handling the most sacred offerings, presenting incense, performing general Temple ministry, and pronouncing the divine blessing were prerogatives reserved solely for Aaron and his male descendants. This highlights the indispensable and consecrated role of the Aaronic priesthood as God's chosen mediators, ensuring proper order and holiness in approaching the Almighty. While the sacrifices they offered and the rituals they performed pointed forward to Christ, their divine mandate underscores the serious nature of worship and the necessity of appointed intercessors to draw near to God.