1 Chronicles 23 28

1 Chronicles 23:28 kjv

Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;

1 Chronicles 23:28 nkjv

because their duty was to help the sons of Aaron in the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts and in the chambers, in the purifying of all holy things and the work of the service of the house of God,

1 Chronicles 23:28 niv

The duty of the Levites was to help Aaron's descendants in the service of the temple of the LORD: to be in charge of the courtyards, the side rooms, the purification of all sacred things and the performance of other duties at the house of God.

1 Chronicles 23:28 esv

For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God.

1 Chronicles 23:28 nlt

The work of the Levites was to assist the priests, the descendants of Aaron, as they served at the house of the LORD. They also took care of the courtyards and side rooms, helped perform the ceremonies of purification, and served in many other ways in the house of God.

1 Chronicles 23 verses

1 Chronicles 23 28 Meaning

1 Chronicles 23:28 details the specific responsibilities of the Levites after the construction of the Temple, primarily their role as assistants and support staff to the Aaronite priests. Their office was to facilitate the continuous worship and operations within the sacred confines of the Lord’s house, including maintenance, oversight of areas like the courts and chambers, and ensuring the ceremonial purity of all holy articles and offerings used in divine service. This verse emphasizes their comprehensive function in enabling the priestly functions and the sanctity of the sanctuary.

1 Chronicles 23 28 Context

Chapter 23 of 1 Chronicles outlines David's organization of the Levites in preparation for the building and operation of the Temple by his son Solomon. As David approached the end of his reign, he initiated a comprehensive census and assignment of roles for all eligible Levites. Prior to this, especially during the wilderness wanderings and the period of the Tabernacle, a significant duty of the Levites was to dismantle, carry, and reassemble the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings (as seen in Numbers chapters 3 and 4).

However, with the establishment of a permanent Temple in Jerusalem, the nomadic function became obsolete. Therefore, David redefined the Levitical duties, focusing their substantial numbers and consecrated status on assisting the priests in the fixed worship environment. Verse 28, therefore, details these new, crucial supporting roles within the grand, ordered structure of temple service, ensuring everything operated according to God's will and in the required purity. It sets the foundation for efficient and proper divine service that would last for centuries.

1 Chronicles 23 28 Word analysis

• Because their office was:

  • Hebrew: לְמִשְׁמֶרֶת (l’mishmeret) – "for the office/duty/charge/custody of." This term implies a designated responsibility or stewardship, a fixed duty or a guard. It signifies that the Levites' role was not casual but a formal, ordained "watch" or "keeping" of duties. It highlights the established nature of their service within God’s appointed structure.

• to wait on the sons of Aaron:

  • Hebrew: לְשָׁרֵת בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן (l'sharēt b'nei Aharon) – "For serving the sons of Aaron."
  • "to wait on" (לְשָׁרֵת, l'sharēt): This verb signifies to minister, serve, attend upon, or be employed in a service. It clearly denotes a subservient or assistant role, where the Levites' activities were to support and enable the primary functions of the priests.
  • "sons of Aaron" (בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן, b'nei Aharon): This refers exclusively to the priestly line, the descendants of Aaron who were consecrated to perform the sacrificial and altar duties directly before the Lord. The Levites’ role was therefore complementary, not competitive, to the priests.

• for the service of the house of the Lord:

  • Hebrew: לַעֲבֹדַת בֵּית יְהוָה (la'avodat beit YHWH) – "for the work/service of the House of YHWH."
  • "service" (עֲבֹדָה, 'avodah): This noun means work, service, labor, or worship. Here, it encompasses the comprehensive operations and religious rituals performed within the Temple.
  • "house of the Lord" (בֵּית יְהוָה, beit YHWH): Refers specifically to the Temple in Jerusalem, God's chosen dwelling place on Earth. It emphasizes the sacredness and divine proprietorship of the edifice and its activities.

• in the courts:

  • Hebrew: בַּחֲצֵרוֹת (ba'chatzarot) – "in the courtyards." These were the outdoor areas surrounding the main Temple building (e.g., the Court of the Priests, Court of Israel, Court of the Women), where people gathered and various preliminary rituals took place. Levites maintained order, assisted worshipers, and managed aspects of the offerings in these public areas.

• and in the chambers:

  • Hebrew: וּבַלְּשָׁכוֹת (uval'lishakot) – "and in the chambers/rooms." These were various rooms and offices within the Temple complex, used for storage of sacred vessels and supplies, treasury, preparation of sacrifices, priestly lodgings, and other administrative purposes. Levites had significant responsibilities in managing these logistical aspects.

• and in the purifying of all holy things:

  • Hebrew: וּבְטָהֳרַת כָּל־קֹדֶשׁ (uv'tahorat kol-qodesh) – "and in the purification/cleansing of all holiness/holy things."
  • "purifying" (טָהֳרָה, tahorah): This term signifies ritual purification, ensuring objects and individuals met the stringent requirements for holiness before they could interact with sacred items or spaces.
  • "all holy things" (כָּל־קֹדֶשׁ, kol-qodesh): Refers to all consecrated items, offerings, vessels, and spaces used in divine service. This highlights the Levites' critical role in maintaining the ritual purity necessary for proper worship, reflecting God's absolute holiness. This could involve washing, overseeing specific rituals of purification, or ensuring proper storage to prevent defilement.

• and the work of the service of the house of God;

  • Hebrew: וּמַעֲשֵׂה עֲבֹדַת בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים (u'ma'aseh 'avodat beit ha'Elohim) – "and the labor/task of the service of the House of God."
  • This phrase serves as a summation, reiterating and broadening the scope of the Levites' responsibilities. It uses "work" (מַעֲשֵׂה, ma'aseh) which implies the practical, ongoing tasks involved. The repetition of "service" (עֲבֹדָה, 'avodah) and the synonymous "house of God" (בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים, beit ha'Elohim) with "house of the Lord" emphasizes the holistic nature of their charge, leaving no doubt as to the full extent of their supporting role within God’s sanctuary.

Words-group analysis:

• "their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord": This phrase establishes the primary organizational principle: the Levites existed to serve and support the Aaronic priesthood. This reflects a divine order of hierarchy and complementary roles in the service of God, emphasizing structure and delegation of tasks to ensure efficient worship. It indicates a collaborative yet distinct set of responsibilities.

• "in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things": These three clauses provide specific examples of the spatial and functional aspects of the Levites' service. They indicate roles ranging from managing public areas ("courts") to logistical and storage oversight ("chambers") and the most critical aspect of ritual purity ("purifying of all holy things"). This highlights the breadth and meticulous nature of their duties, touching every aspect of Temple operation.

1 Chronicles 23 28 Bonus section

The organization of the Levites detailed in this chapter, and particularly specified in verse 28, represents a divine blueprint for ordered service. It underscores that God values not just grand sacrificial acts but also meticulous attention to detail, logistics, and purity in worship. This reflects a consistent biblical principle that divine work often requires diverse contributions from various individuals and groups, each serving according to their God-given role. The Levites’ duties, while secondary to the priests', were absolutely foundational for the priests to even carry out their unique responsibilities. Their administrative, custodial, and ritual purification roles kept the sanctity of God's house intact. This anticipates the New Covenant reality where diverse gifts are given for the building up of the body of Christ, and all members, though with different functions, are essential for the spiritual "service" of the church (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12).

1 Chronicles 23 28 Commentary

1 Chronicles 23:28 profoundly illustrates the comprehensive and essential support role of the Levites in the functioning of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. With the shift from a mobile sanctuary to a fixed one, their carrying duties became obsolete, yet their dedication to divine service remained paramount. David's foresight ensured an organized and efficient system where the large number of Levites could facilitate the priestly work. This verse delineates that the Levites were vital in managing the day-to-day operations: from maintaining the integrity and accessibility of the outer courts, through organizing and managing the interior chambers crucial for storing supplies and preparing rituals, to the immensely significant task of overseeing and performing the purification rites for all sacred items.

Their responsibility for ceremonial purity underscore the core principle that God's presence demands holiness. Every task, whether seemingly grand or mundane, was vital for the worship of a holy God. The Levites enabled the priests to focus solely on the direct sacrificial and intercessory duties. This organized system exemplifies how diverse gifts and functions within God's people contribute to a greater, unified purpose of glorifying Him through ordered and sanctified service.