1 Chronicles 6 32

1 Chronicles 6:32 kjv

And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.

1 Chronicles 6:32 nkjv

They were ministering with music before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of meeting, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they served in their office according to their order.

1 Chronicles 6:32 niv

They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.

1 Chronicles 6:32 esv

They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order.

1 Chronicles 6:32 nlt

They ministered with music at the Tabernacle until Solomon built the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They carried out their work, following all the regulations handed down to them.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 32 Meaning

This verse highlights the continuous and specific role of the Levites, particularly those destined to be temple musicians, in ministering with singing before the portable tabernacle from the time it was established, right up until King Solomon built the permanent Temple in Jerusalem. It emphasizes that their service was not arbitrary but conducted diligently and precisely "according to their order," reflecting a divinely appointed structure for worship.

1 Chronicles 6 32 Context

1 Chronicles 6 provides a comprehensive genealogy of the tribe of Levi, specifically highlighting the lines that served as priests and, most prominently in the immediate verses (6:31-48), those designated as musicians in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Verse 32 places these musical Levites, specifically Asaph, Heman, and Ethan (or Jeduthun) and their forebears, squarely within the long history of Israel's worship, tracing their ancestral service from the era of the nomadic Tabernacle. This underscores the continuity and legitimacy of their divinely appointed roles, portraying their service as deeply rooted in sacred tradition even before the grand Temple was built. The Chronicler emphasizes orderly and authorized worship, an important theme for the post-exilic community who needed to rebuild their religious life correctly.

1 Chronicles 6 32 Word analysis

• And they ministered: (וַיְּשָׁרְתוּ, way-yə-shā-rə-tū) From the root שָׁרַת (sharat), meaning "to serve," often specifically in a cultic or religious sense. It implies attendance, performing duty, and consecrated service, reflecting the Levitical role not merely as helpers but as ordained attendants. This points to a divinely commanded service, not just a casual performance.
• before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting: (לִפְנֵי מִשְׁכַּן אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, lif-nê miškan ’ōhel mô‘ēḏ)
  • "before" (lif-nê): Denotes physical presence in proximity, emphasizing the direct and intimate nature of their service in the presence of God's dwelling.
  • "tabernacle" (miškan): Refers to the dwelling place, the innermost sanctum.
  • "tent of meeting" (’ōhel mô‘ēḏ): The larger, outer structure where God met with His people. The combined phrase precisely identifies the portable sanctuary as the place of their enduring service. This specific designation highlights the long historical period before the permanent Temple.
• with singing: (בַּשִּׁיר, bash-shîr) Literally "in song" or "with song." This specifies the mode of their ministry, setting them apart from other Levitical duties. It elevates vocal music as a core component of Israel's early formal worship. This establishes a theological precedent for singing as essential to praising the Lord.
• until Solomon had built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem: This phrase provides a critical chronological marker and theological transition.
  • "until": Emphasizes the duration and consistency of their service.
  • "Solomon had built the house of the Lord": Points to the realization of David's vision for a permanent dwelling place for God, centralizing worship in Jerusalem. It marks the shift from a mobile, provisional sanctuary to a grand, fixed, and eternal (in the context of Davidic covenant) structure.
  • "the house of the Lord" (bêṯ YHWH): The Jerusalem Temple, signifying a new era of centralized and grander worship.
  • "in Jerusalem": Pinpoints the specific, holy city where God chose to place His Name, adding geopolitical and theological significance to the shift in worship location.
• and they waited on their office: (וַיַּעַמְדוּ עַל מִשְׁמַרְתָּם, way-ya‘am-dū ‘al miš-mar-tām)
  • "waited on" (way-ya‘am-dū ‘al): Literally "they stood over," signifying active oversight, attending to, or faithfully maintaining a responsibility. It denotes diligence and faithfulness in their appointed task.
  • "their office" (miš-mar-tām): Their "charge," "duty," "guard," or "service." It refers to a divinely given, specific area of responsibility. It underlines the professional and solemn nature of their work.
• according to their order: (כְּמִשְׁפָּטָם, kə-miš-pā-ṭām)
  • "according to" (kə): Implies conformity to a standard.
  • "their order" (miš-pā-ṭām): From mishpat, meaning "judgment," "custom," "rule," or "ordinance." Here, it signifies the established and regularized pattern, the customary regulations, or even divine statutes that governed their service. This stresses the importance of adherence to proper procedures and divine arrangement, a theme central to the Chronicler's theology, reinforcing legitimacy and proper worship.

1 Chronicles 6 32 Bonus section

The Chronicler's precise dating marker ("until Solomon built...") emphasizes historical continuity. This focus on genealogies and uninterrupted service legitimizes the role of the Levitical musicians for the post-exilic community. For a people returning from exile and re-establishing temple worship, demonstrating that their current practices had deep roots in pre-exilic, divinely ordained service was immensely encouraging and vital for proper worship. This verse sets the stage for the detailed descriptions of the musical choirs in 1 Chronicles 25, showing that their organization was a development of an already long-established sacred tradition. The careful mention of "tabernacle of the tent of meeting" is more than just identification; it evokes the Exodus journey and wilderness covenant, tying the future Temple's grandeur to foundational divine acts.

1 Chronicles 6 32 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:32 encapsulates the faithful and continuous service of the Levitical singers' ancestors throughout the era of the Tabernacle, linking their ancient role to the highly organized Temple service under David and Solomon. This verse validates the heritage and authority of the Levitical musical guilds by emphasizing their diligent service "before the Tabernacle" – the sacred locus of God's presence – primarily through "singing." This pre-Temple period establishes a venerable historical foundation for their functions. The transition noted, "until Solomon had built the house of the Lord," is crucial; it not only provides a historical timeline but also reinforces the consistency of their service across differing forms of the sanctuary. The phrase "they waited on their office according to their order" powerfully communicates the disciplined, ordained, and structured nature of their worship. It underlines that this was not ad-hoc singing, but a formally designated, divinely approved liturgical role, performed with dedication and adherence to established practices. This ordered service was vital for maintaining the purity and efficacy of Israel's worship, setting a pattern for generations.