1 Kings 8 4

1 Kings 8:4 kjv

And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.

1 Kings 8:4 nkjv

Then they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up.

1 Kings 8:4 niv

and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the tent of meeting and all the sacred furnishings in it. The priests and Levites carried them up,

1 Kings 8:4 esv

And they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up.

1 Kings 8:4 nlt

The priests and Levites brought up the Ark of the LORD along with the special tent and all the sacred items that had been in it.

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 4 Meaning

1 Kings 8:4 describes the ceremonial transfer of Israel's holiest objects – the Ark of the LORD, the Tabernacle, and all associated holy vessels – from their temporary locations into the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. This sacred act marked the culmination of King Solomon's efforts to provide a permanent dwelling for the presence of God among His people, signaling a significant shift from the portable worship of the wilderness era to a centralized and permanent sanctuary. The verse also underscores the divinely appointed roles of the priests and Levites in handling these consecrated items, upholding the sacred protocol established by Mosaic Law.

1 Kings 8 4 Context

This verse is part of 1 Kings chapter 8, which narrates the grand dedication of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. It takes place after seven years of construction, signaling the realization of a divine promise and a deep desire within Israel to have a permanent central sanctuary. Verses 1-3 describe the assembly of Israel's leaders and people for this momentous event. Verse 4 details the ceremonial procession that brought the sacred components of Israelite worship into their new, permanent abode, preceding the actual dedication ceremony and Solomon's prayer. This marked the shift from the nomadic existence reflected by the Tabernacle to a settled nation with a fixed place for God's presence, signifying a period of national stability and divine favor under the Davidic dynasty. Historically, it solidified Jerusalem's position as the religious and political capital of the unified kingdom.

1 Kings 8 4 Word analysis

• And they brought up (וַיַּעֲלוּ, vayya‘alu):
  • Word: The verb ‘alah (to go up, ascend, bring up) implies a solemn, deliberate ascent, physically fitting given Jerusalem's elevated location.
  • Significance: More than mere transportation, it suggests an elevated, sacred procession, symbolically elevating the objects into a holier place and closer to God. This movement from a temporary resting place to a permanent one marks a climax. It also carries echoes of previous "bringings up" like Israel out of Egypt.
• the ark of the LORD (אֲרוֹן יְהוָה, aron Yahweh):
  • Word: Aron refers to a chest or coffer, but with Yahweh (LORD, the personal name of God, revealing His covenant faithfulness), it specifies the Ark of the Covenant, the holiest object in Israel.
  • Significance: It represented God's tangible presence, His throne, and the physical embodiment of His covenant with Israel, containing the tablets of the Law. Its placement in the Most Holy Place was central to Israel's worship and identity.
• and the tabernacle of the congregation (וְאֶת־אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, ve’et-’ohel mo‘ed):
  • Word: Ohel mo‘ed means "tent of meeting" or "tabernacle of assembly." This refers to the portable sanctuary built according to divine instruction during the Exodus.
  • Significance: It symbolizes God's presence among His people during their nomadic phase. Its inclusion here, alongside the Ark, indicates a complete transfer of the old worship system into the new, yet it also marks the obsolescence of its original function as a mobile sanctuary. Its components, not just the tent structure, were important.
• and all the holy vessels (וְאֶת־כָּל־כְּלֵי הַקֹּדֶשׁ, ve’et-kol-kley haqqodesh):
  • Word: Kley haqqodesh means "vessels of holiness" or "sacred instruments." These included items for priestly service, such as the altar of incense, lampstands, and various implements.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that the transfer was comprehensive. Every item consecrated for service in the old sanctuary was deemed necessary for the new, highlighting continuity of worship practices and the holiness required for divine service.
• that were in the tabernacle:
  • Significance: Specifies the origin of these vessels, confirming they are part of the original, divinely instituted worship system, rather than new inventions for the Temple.
• even those did the priests and the Levites bring up:
  • Word Group: This phrase is a powerful emphatic reiteration, clearly specifying who performed the sacred task.
  • Significance: Reinforces strict adherence to God's law regarding handling sacred objects. The Kohathite Levites (a sub-group) were traditionally responsible for transporting the Tabernacle's most sacred articles (Num 4:15), though the final placement into the Holy of Holies was by the priests. This emphasizes their distinct, yet collaborative, roles. It highlights that the process was not a general community effort but a highly specialized, ritually pure one, a lesson learned after previous missteps (like Uzzah). This act also underscores the divine ordination of the priesthood and Levites, granting them unique authority and responsibility in divine worship.

1 Kings 8 4 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "the tabernacle of the congregation" (or tent of meeting) is noteworthy. While the Ark of the Covenant had been separated from the Tabernacle for a period, with the Tabernacle having its location (Gibeon), bringing them both to Jerusalem and integrating their essence into the Temple design shows a purposeful integration of Israel's entire sacred history. This event also points to a symbolic closing of the wilderness period, affirming that God's people have found their rest and a settled dwelling place, paralleling the ultimate rest found in God's completed work. The very specific instruction about priests and Levites handling these objects underscores the principle of set-apartness (holiness) not just for objects, but for individuals involved in divine service.

1 Kings 8 4 Commentary

1 Kings 8:4 serves as a crucial bridge between Israel's nomadic worship past and its future centralized religious life. The act of bringing "up" these sacred objects to Jerusalem's Temple signifies a literal and spiritual ascent. It consolidates the national identity around Yahweh, with His dwelling now fixed in Zion, a tangible representation of His enduring covenant and faithfulness to David's line. The careful mention of priests and Levites underscores the absolute necessity of following divine protocol in worship; God's holiness demands reverent handling of His things and adherence to His appointed order. This sacred transfer was not merely logistical but theological, establishing Jerusalem as the epicenter of authentic Yahweh worship, distinct from pagan practices, and setting the stage for the manifest glory of God to fill His new sanctuary.