1 Chronicles 9 29

1 Chronicles 9:29 kjv

Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.

1 Chronicles 9:29 nkjv

Some of them were appointed over the furnishings and over all the implements of the sanctuary, and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the incense and the spices.

1 Chronicles 9:29 niv

Others were assigned to take care of the furnishings and all the other articles of the sanctuary, as well as the special flour and wine, and the olive oil, incense and spices.

1 Chronicles 9:29 esv

Others of them were appointed over the furniture and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices.

1 Chronicles 9:29 nlt

Others were responsible for the furnishings, the items in the sanctuary, and the supplies, such as choice flour, wine, olive oil, frankincense, and spices.

1 Chronicles 9 verses

1 Chronicles 9 29 Meaning

1 Chronicles 9:29 describes specific duties assigned to a group of Levites, tasking them with the careful oversight and management of the various physical supplies, vessels, and ingredients essential for the daily operations and sacrificial rituals within the Lord's sanctuary. This highlights their critical role in ensuring the practical readiness and continuous function of temple worship.

1 Chronicles 9 29 Context

This verse appears within 1 Chronicles chapter 9, a passage detailing the comprehensive organizational structure of post-exilic Jerusalem's inhabitants, specifically focusing on the dedicated roles within the temple service. Following genealogies, the chapter shifts to the vital functions performed by priests, Levites, and other temple workers, who resided in Jerusalem after the return from Babylonian captivity. Verse 29 particularly describes a sub-set of Levites whose responsibilities included meticulous oversight of all the physical assets required for worship. Historically, the return from exile brought a strong emphasis on re-establishing orderly and faithful worship in the newly rebuilt temple, adhering precisely to God's ancient commands. This detailed account illustrates the commitment to exactness and order necessary for maintaining the sanctity and functionality of the sacred place.

1 Chronicles 9 29 Word analysis

• Some of them: Refers to a specific segment of the Levites, who, as mentioned in the broader context of 1 Chr 9:26-28, were associated with managing and serving the various articles and services within the sanctuary.
• appointed (from root פָּקַד paqad): Indicates an authoritative designation to a role of oversight, responsibility, and diligent supervision. It implies an official charge rather than a casual task.
• over the furniture (עַל הַכֵּלִים 'al hakkelim): Kelim (כְּלִים) is a general term for utensils, vessels, or articles. Here, it signifies the general equipment or movable items used within the temple for its operational functions, highlighting care for basic provisions.
• and over all the instruments of the sanctuary (וְעַל כָּל כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ wə'al kol kelê haqqōdesh): This specifies the previous term kelim by adding "of the sanctuary" (haqqodesh - הַקֹּדֶשׁ), designating them as sacred, consecrated objects specifically used in holy worship (e.g., golden implements, altars). The word "all" (kol) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their responsibility over every holy vessel.
• and over the fine flour (וְעַל הַסֹּלֶת wə'al hassōlet): Solet (סֹלֶת) refers to premium, sifted flour. It was a foundational ingredient for grain offerings (minchah), representing a staple offering of sustenance and devotion. Its management ensured readiness for daily rituals.
• and the wine (וְהַיַּיִן wəhayyayin): Yayin (יַיִן) is wine, indispensable for drink offerings (nesek) that accompanied various sacrifices. It symbolized joy, spiritual communion, and dedication.
• and the oil (וְהַשֶּׁמֶן wəhǎššemen): Shemen (שֶׁמֶן), typically olive oil, served multiple purposes: fuel for the menorah, an ingredient in grain offerings, and for anointing. It symbolized divine light, spiritual provision, and consecration.
• and the frankincense (וְהַלְּבֹנָה wəhalləvōnāh): Levonah (לְבֹנָה) is aromatic frankincense, used in grain offerings and with showbread. It signified the ascending prayers, purity, and precious worship.
• and the spices (וְהַבְּשָׂמִים wəhabbəsāmîm): Besamim (בְּשָׂמִים) refers to aromatic spices, used for compounding the holy anointing oil and sacred incense. They contributed to the reverent atmosphere and ritual significance.

Words-group analysis:

• "over the furniture, and over all the instruments of the sanctuary": This dual description emphasizes that the Levites' oversight covered both general temple operational tools and all sacred, consecrated items explicitly for holy service. It indicates comprehensive responsibility for both the practical logistics and the hallowed objects within God's house, ensuring everything was appropriately maintained for worship.
• "fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices": This list collectively represents the core consumable elements mandated by the Torah for daily temple sacrifices and rituals. These Levites' diligent management of these provisions was fundamental to the uninterrupted continuation of Israel's prescribed worship, highlighting the critical role of careful stewardship over essential supplies in maintaining covenant relationship.

1 Chronicles 9 29 Bonus section

The detailed accounting of these practical Levitical duties serves as a quiet but potent reminder that true spiritual service often encompasses meticulous attention to physical details. It reveals a divinely instituted order where "mundane" logistics are integrated into "sacred" worship, underscoring that God values faithfulness in stewarding His provisions. This commitment to careful maintenance of temple items stood in stark contrast to the casual or chaotic approach to worship found in pagan religions, subtly reinforcing the purity and sanctity associated with the worship of Yahweh. It provided a model for proper management, stewardship, and reverence for holy things, emphasizing that nothing in God's service is trivial.

1 Chronicles 9 29 Commentary

1 Chronicles 9:29 vividly illustrates that the functioning of the sacred temple in Jerusalem required a highly organized and devoted administrative system. Beyond the visible priestly rituals, countless behind-the-scenes duties were critical. This verse highlights the particular Levites entrusted with the mundane yet sacred task of managing all the physical aspects of temple service, from common furniture to holy vessels and essential offering ingredients. Their meticulous care for these items ensured that the sanctuary remained pure, orderly, and continually prepared for the prescribed acts of worship. It underscores the spiritual significance of diligence in practical responsibilities, demonstrating that every task, no matter how humble, contributes to the overarching worship of God when performed faithfully and with a focus on His glory. This organizational blueprint served to maintain the divine order in the renewed community's worship life.