1 Chronicles 23 29

1 Chronicles 23:29 kjv

Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;

1 Chronicles 23:29 nkjv

both with the showbread and the fine flour for the grain offering, with the unleavened cakes and what is baked in the pan, with what is mixed and with all kinds of measures and sizes;

1 Chronicles 23:29 niv

They were in charge of the bread set out on the table, the special flour for the grain offerings, the thin loaves made without yeast, the baking and the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size.

1 Chronicles 23:29 esv

Their duty was also to assist with the showbread, the flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baked offering, the offering mixed with oil, and all measures of quantity or size.

1 Chronicles 23:29 nlt

They were in charge of the sacred bread that was set out on the table, the choice flour for the grain offerings, the wafers made without yeast, the cakes cooked in olive oil, and the other mixed breads. They were also responsible to check all the weights and measures.

1 Chronicles 23 verses

1 Chronicles 23 29 Meaning

1 Chronicles 23:29 details specific, hands-on duties assigned to the Levites as part of King David's re-organization of temple service. These responsibilities included preparing sacred food items like the showbread and various forms of grain offerings, ensuring their ingredients and specific cooking methods (unleavened, baked, fried) were met. Furthermore, they were responsible for maintaining accurate standards in "all manner of measure and size" within the sanctuary, emphasizing integrity and precision in every aspect of divine service. This verse highlights their practical role in supporting the priests and facilitating orderly and holy worship.

1 Chronicles 23 29 Context

This verse is part of David's comprehensive reorganization of the Levites in the final years of his reign, as recorded in 1 Chronicles chapter 23. Realizing the future Temple would be a permanent structure, unlike the mobile Tabernacle, David foresaw the need for a more settled and specialized workforce for its detailed operations. He counts and assigns specific duties to the Levites aged twenty and above (a new age requirement mentioned in verse 27), detailing their roles in assisting the priests (the sons of Aaron). Chapter 23 outlines their general service (vv. 28-32), including oversight of the courtyard, chambers, and all clean things, preparing for every sacrifice and offering, and now, as specified in verse 29, the practical culinary and administrative aspects of managing temple supplies and rituals. This meticulous organization was crucial for the proper and perpetual functioning of divine worship in the soon-to-be-built Temple, underscoring God's demand for order, precision, and holiness in all things pertaining to Him, contrasting with the often haphazard or unethical practices of pagan worship.

1 Chronicles 23 29 Word analysis

• showbread (לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, lechem haPānīm): Literally "bread of the face" or "bread of presence." These were twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel, laid out in two rows on a special table in the Holy Place, continually before the Lord. Their preparation by the Levites symbolized the constant spiritual nourishment and fellowship Israel received from God, and Israel's perpetual offering of itself to God.
• fine flour (סֹלֶת, solet): This term denotes the purest, choicest grade of flour. Its specification for offerings signifies that only the best, most unblemished offerings were acceptable to God. This attention to quality reflects the holiness of God and the seriousness of the offerings made to Him.
• meat offerings (מִנְחָה, minchah): In ancient biblical Hebrew, minchah referred to a "gift" or "tribute," but specifically in a ritual context, it meant a "grain offering" or "meal offering." This was a significant offering in Levitical worship, often made from flour, oil, and frankincense, symbolizing dedication, devotion, and sometimes sustenance or thanksgiving rather than atonement (which was primarily through blood sacrifices).
• unleavened cakes (מַצּוֹת, matzot): Cakes made without leaven (yeast). Unleavened bread was prominent in the Passover ritual, symbolizing purity and a hasty departure (Exod 12:8, 39). In the context of offerings, the absence of leaven (often associated with corruption or sin in biblical symbolism) underscored the purity and integrity required in worship before a holy God.
• baked in the pan (מַחֲבַת, machavat): Refers to a griddle or a shallow pan. This specifies one of several precise methods for preparing grain offerings, as outlined in Leviticus. The different preparations—oven, griddle, pan—each represented distinct nuances in presentation and symbolized varied forms of personal or corporate devotion.
• fried (מַרְחֶשֶׁת, marchesheth): Refers to a deeper pan, perhaps like a stewing or frying pan, implying a preparation where the offering was immersed in oil. The careful specification of cooking methods highlights the meticulousness required in the worship system and the various categories of offerings designated by God.
• all manner of measure and size (מִדָּה וּמְשֻׁרָה, middah u'meshūrah): Middah means "measure" in terms of dimension or quantity, and meshūrah specifically "a liquid measure" or quantity. Together, they imply every conceivable form of measurement. This critical duty required the Levites to ensure absolute accuracy and integrity in weights and measures for all sacred items and offerings. This ensured fairness, prevented fraud, and maintained order, reflecting God's attribute of perfect justice and abhorrence of deception (Lev 19:35-36).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "both for the showbread, and for the fine flour for meat offerings": This clause delineates the Levites' role in preparing the core ingredients for the most fundamental regular temple provisions and offerings. It emphasizes their culinary support to the priests, ensuring the constant supply of divinely commanded staples for daily worship. This provision signifies a vital behind-the-scenes service that undergirds the public performance of the ritual.
• "and for the unleavened cakes, and for that which is baked in the pan, and for that which is fried": These specific phrases further detail the varying methods and types of grain offerings. This specificity is crucial; it underlines that the worship of God was not arbitrary but followed divine blueprints to the letter, reflecting a commitment to order, purity, and intentionality in every act of devotion. Each preparation method, from unbaked unleavened dough to items baked on a griddle or deep-fried, held specific ritual significance as detailed in Leviticus.
• "and for all manner of measure and size": This overarching responsibility extends beyond food preparation to encompass all temple functions requiring precision. It establishes the Levites as guardians of integrity and standardization, ensuring that every element—be it offerings, construction materials, or distributions—adhered strictly to God's precise divine standards. This command reflects God's demand for honesty and justice, fundamental virtues essential not only in the sacred sphere but also for righteous living outside the temple walls.

1 Chronicles 23 29 Bonus section

• The meticulous detailing of the Levites' duties, even down to cooking methods and exact measurements, emphasizes that true worship is never casual or sloppy. It demands diligence, precision, and adherence to God's specific instructions, reflecting His perfect nature.
• This administrative foresight by David in organizing the Levites well before the Temple's construction showcases his commitment to God's worship and establishes a lasting infrastructure for sacred service in Israel.
• The inclusion of "all manner of measure and size" connects temple purity to common commercial ethics, showing that God's standards of honesty and fairness extend into all areas of life, not just religious rituals. This foreshadows prophetic messages against dishonest weights and measures among the people (e.g., Amos 8:5).
• The varied types of grain offerings, prepared differently, indicate the richness and diverse ways in which one could express devotion or thanksgiving to God through sacrifices.

1 Chronicles 23 29 Commentary

1 Chronicles 23:29 vividly portrays the essential, yet often unglamorous, practical duties of the Levites in the Israelite sanctuary. Their roles, meticulously defined by David, extended beyond guarding and assisting in ceremonial aspects to managing the detailed logistics of worship. They were the craftsmen of devotion, preparing specific offerings, like the pure, symbolic showbread and various grain offerings tailored by their unique preparation—whether unleavened, baked on a griddle, or fried—each method prescribed with divine significance. Crucially, their responsibility for "all manner of measure and size" highlights a profound truth: the divine service demands not only spiritual reverence but also ethical integrity and meticulous accuracy in every material detail. This mandate underscored God's demand for perfection in His house and stood as a stark contrast to any human sloppiness or deception. Through these seemingly mundane tasks, the Levites upheld the very fabric of holy worship, ensuring purity, order, and precise adherence to God's will. This thorough organization laid the groundwork for the future Temple's operations, a testament to David's foresight and the foundational biblical principle that God desires all aspects of life, even the practical, to reflect His order and righteousness.