2 Chronicles 35 3

2 Chronicles 35:3 kjv

And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,

2 Chronicles 35:3 nkjv

Then he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD: "Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.

2 Chronicles 35:3 niv

He said to the Levites, who instructed all Israel and who had been consecrated to the LORD: "Put the sacred ark in the temple that Solomon son of David king of Israel built. It is not to be carried about on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel.

2 Chronicles 35:3 esv

And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the LORD, "Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. You need not carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel.

2 Chronicles 35:3 nlt

He issued this order to the Levites, who were to teach all Israel and who had been set apart to serve the LORD: "Put the holy Ark in the Temple that was built by Solomon son of David, the king of Israel. You no longer need to carry it back and forth on your shoulders. Now spend your time serving the LORD your God and his people Israel.

2 Chronicles 35 verses

2 Chronicles 35 3 Meaning

King Josiah commanded the Levites, who were designated as the spiritual instructors of all Israel and were consecrated to the LORD, to permanently install the holy Ark of the Covenant in the Temple built by King Solomon. This instruction signaled the cessation of carrying the Ark, reaffirming its fixed place of worship within the sacred structure. Furthermore, Josiah charged them to faithfully execute their priestly duties in service to the LORD God and to His chosen people, Israel.

2 Chronicles 35 3 Context

This verse is set during the extensive religious reforms of King Josiah of Judah (c. 640-609 BC). Josiah began to seek the Lord early in his reign and embarked on a profound spiritual revival. Prior to this verse, he had already purified Judah and Jerusalem of idolatrous practices, repaired and consecrated the Temple, and most significantly, overseen the discovery of the Book of the Law during the Temple renovations. The finding of the Law ignited an even deeper commitment to covenant fidelity, leading Josiah to gather the people and renew the covenant with the LORD (2 Chron 34). Chapter 35 then details Josiah's magnificent Passover celebration, intended to align Israel's worship precisely with the rediscovered divine commandments. Verse 3 is a direct preparatory command for this Passover, addressing the specific function and placement of the Ark, which was central to Israel's worship and the manifestation of God's presence. Its mention implies that the Ark had possibly been moved or removed from its proper place, perhaps during the idolatrous reigns of Manasseh or Amon, or even for safekeeping during periods of defilement or Temple repairs. Josiah's command reinstates it to its sacred, permanent position.

2 Chronicles 35 3 Word analysis

• He said: This refers to King Josiah. The king's direct address to the Levites underscores his divinely appointed authority as the leader of God's people, even in matters of sacred order and worship. His command aligns royal authority with divine mandate.
• to the Levites: (Hebrew: lə-Ləwiyyîm) The priestly tribe descended from Levi, distinct from the High Priests (sons of Aaron). Their roles varied but fundamentally revolved around Temple service, guarding sacred spaces, performing rituals, and supporting the Aaronic priesthood. They were instrumental in mediating the divine to the nation.
• who taught all Israel: (Hebrew: ham'bînîm lə-ḵol Yiśrā’ēl). The root bîn often means "to understand" or "to discern." The Hiphil form here indicates "making to understand," thus "teaching" or "instructing." This highlights a crucial pedagogical and theological function of the Levites, moving beyond mere ritualistic duties. They were responsible for expounding the Law and ensuring its comprehension among the common people, reflecting a core aspect of Israel's covenant relationship—knowledge of God's ways. This points to a vibrant intellectual and spiritual tradition entrusted to them, differentiating Israel's worship from purely performative pagan cults.
• and were holy to the LORD: (Hebrew: qədošîm la-YHWH). "Holy" (qādôš) means set apart, consecrated, pure for divine use or service. This was not merely a ceremonial designation but required a moral and spiritual purity necessary for handling sacred objects and approaching the Divine. This sanctity validated their authority to teach and perform priestly duties.
• "Put the holy ark: (Hebrew: Tənû ’ārōn haqqōḏeš). "Ark" (’ārōn) is the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in Israel, representing God's throne and presence. "Holy" emphasizes its supreme sanctity. The command implies a definitive placement after a period of potential displacement or movement, underscoring Josiah's commitment to restoring true and stable worship according to God's will.
• in the house that Solomon son of David built; This specifies the Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. This reference connects Josiah's actions to the glorious past of united monarchy and adherence to foundational principles of Israelite worship. It emphasizes the divinely sanctioned and permanently designated dwelling place for the Ark, signifying continuity and adherence to tradition against the recent background of apostasy and defilement of the Temple. It is an affirmation of the central sanctuary, countering any fragmented worship.
• it is not to be carried on your shoulders any longer. (Hebrew: lō’-yiśśā’ ba-ḵātēf ôd). This direct instruction ends the traditional mode of transporting the Ark, which was by poles on the shoulders of the Kohathite Levites during the wilderness journeys and movements until the Temple's completion (Num 4:15, 1 Chron 15:2). Once the Temple was built and dedicated, its permanent place was established. The command underscores that the period of pilgrimage and unsettledness for the Ark was definitively over. It implies that for a duration, perhaps due to the Temple's defilement or to protect the Ark from pagan practices by preceding kings, it might have been removed or subject to frequent movements. Josiah restores it to its proper, unmoving resting place within the Temple's Most Holy Place. This is a powerful visual and theological statement of stability and order in worship.
• Now serve the LORD your God (Hebrew: wə‘iḇḏû ’et-YHWH ’ĕlōhêkem). "Serve" (‘āḇaḏ) implies all aspects of priestly service, worship, and obedient fidelity. It is a re-focusing on their primary divine calling. This emphasizes the functional aspect of their renewed purity and placement of the Ark.
• and his people Israel." The Levites' service was not only vertical (to God) but also horizontal (to the community). Their role was essential for Israel's spiritual well-being, facilitating their worship, mediating God's instruction, and maintaining the purity of the nation's spiritual life. Their proper service was inextricably linked to the well-being and holiness of the entire nation.

2 Chronicles 35 3 Bonus section

• The historical gap regarding the Ark's whereabouts leading up to Josiah's reign is notable. Many scholars speculate it was removed during Manasseh's egregious idolatry (2 Chron 33) to prevent defilement, or taken out during periods of Temple repair for safekeeping. Josiah's command implicitly acknowledges its temporary displacement and signals its formal reinstallation, marking a decisive end to a period of spiritual disarray.
• The emphasis on the Levites "teaching all Israel" differentiates Israelite priesthood from many ancient Near Eastern priestly systems, which primarily focused on divination and rituals. The Levites were uniquely tasked with guarding and transmitting the divinely revealed Law, underscoring the intellectual and pedagogical dimensions of true worship, centered on God's truth rather than mere ritualism.
• This specific instruction to end the Ark's carrying echoes a significant transition described in 1 Chronicles 23:25-26, where King David had already indicated that with the establishment of the Temple, the Levites would no longer need to transport the tabernacle and its vessels. Josiah's command is thus a full realization and enforcement of this long-standing principle, bringing a critical aspect of worship fully into alignment with the established permanent sanctuary.

2 Chronicles 35 3 Commentary

King Josiah's command in 2 Chronicles 35:3 encapsulates the profound commitment of his reign to restore covenant fidelity and proper worship in Judah. By ordering the permanent placement of the Ark in the Temple, Josiah not only re-established its correct physical location after what was likely a period of neglect or removal during earlier idolatrous reigns but also affirmed the sanctity and centrality of Solomon's Temple as God's designated dwelling place. This marked a crucial moment where the nomadic and potentially unstable phase of the Ark's history formally ceased, symbolizing a definitive return to divinely prescribed order and a unified, fixed place of worship for all Israel.

Moreover, the verse highlights the indispensable role of the Levites, who were uniquely consecrated to the LORD and entrusted with teaching the divine Law to the entire nation. Their purification and proper functioning were vital, as they were the living bridge between God's revelation and the people's understanding. Josiah's instruction thus calls them back to their core responsibilities: precise performance of Temple service (serve the LORD your God) and active spiritual education of the people (and his people Israel). This emphasis on both ritual purity and doctrinal instruction underscores the holistic nature of worship and the Levites' comprehensive duty to facilitate it correctly, ensuring both divine favor and national well-being. This verse provides a powerful example of spiritual reformation driven by adherence to discovered truth and a commitment to righteous leadership.