2 Chronicles 35 5

2 Chronicles 35:5 kjv

And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites.

2 Chronicles 35:5 nkjv

And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers' houses of your brethren the lay people, and according to the division of the father's house of the Levites.

2 Chronicles 35:5 niv

"Stand in the holy place with a group of Levites for each subdivision of the families of your fellow Israelites, the lay people.

2 Chronicles 35:5 esv

And stand in the Holy Place according to the groupings of the fathers' houses of your brothers the lay people, and according to the division of the Levites by fathers' household.

2 Chronicles 35:5 nlt

"Then stand in the sanctuary at the place appointed for your family division and help the families assigned to you as they bring their offerings to the Temple.

2 Chronicles 35 verses

2 Chronicles 35 5 Meaning

2 Chronicles 35:5 instructs the priests and Levites to take their assigned stations within the sacred precincts of the Temple. Their placement was not random but meticulously ordered "according to the divisions of the families of your fathers." This highlights the importance of adherence to the long-established ancestral and administrative arrangements for temple service, ensuring the smooth and orderly execution of the Passover rituals, with priests focused on sacrificial duties and Levites fulfilling their auxiliary roles, each group serving alongside their brethren. This command emphasized a return to proper, structured worship according to divine precepts and traditional practice.

2 Chronicles 35 5 Context

This verse is situated within the narrative of King Josiah's grand Passover celebration (2 Chronicles 35:1-19), hailed as the most magnificent since the days of the prophet Samuel. Having previously undertaken significant reforms – cleansing Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry (2 Chr 34), repairing the Temple, and rediscovering the Book of the Law – Josiah is now meticulously restoring the worship of the LORD to its purest, most comprehensive form according to Mosaic and Davidic precedents. The specific command in verse 5 is part of Josiah's detailed instructions for the proper execution of the Passover sacrifices and ceremonies, emphasizing the ordered and familial structure essential for such a complex liturgical event. This reflects a deeper commitment to the divine blueprint for Israel's spiritual life, a stark contrast to the preceding generations of apostasy.

2 Chronicles 35 5 Word analysis

• And stand (וְהַעֲמִידוּ - vĕha‘amîḏū):
  • Root: עמד (‘āmaḏ), meaning "to stand," "to remain," "to present oneself." In a liturgical context, it signifies taking up one's official position for service, readiness for duty, and performing a role with authority and steadfastness.
  • Significance: It implies not merely being present, but actively occupying a designated place for consecrated service, often in the presence of a superior or God. This "standing" posture is common for ministers and servants (e.g., Deut 10:8; 1 Ki 17:1).
• in the holy place (בַּקֹּדֶשׁ - baqōḏeš):
  • From קֹדֶשׁ (qōḏeš), meaning "holiness," "sacred place," or "sanctuary."
  • Significance: Refers to specific, consecrated areas within the Temple precincts, particularly where the sacred work of sacrifice and worship was conducted. It emphasizes the sanctity and reverence required for their actions. It might specifically indicate the inner courts accessible to priests and Levites for their duties.
• according to the divisions (לְמַחְלְקוֹת - lĕmaḥlĕqôṯ):
  • From מַחֲלֹקֶת (maḥălōqeṯ), meaning "division," "course," or "group."
  • Significance: Points to the meticulously organized system established by King David (1 Chr 23-26) for priests and Levites, dividing them into shifts or "courses" to serve at specific times. This ensured comprehensive, orderly, and continuous service throughout the year, preventing chaos and guaranteeing all duties were performed.
• of the families of your fathers (אֲבֹותֵיכֶם לְבֵית־הָאָב - lĕbêṯ-hā’āb ’ăḇôṯêḵem):
  • Literal: "by the house of the father of your fathers."
  • Significance: Reinforces the hereditary nature of the priesthood and Levitical service. Their roles and stations were determined by their ancestral lineage and specific family lines within the broader tribal divisions, maintaining tradition and identity, crucial for continuity of worship and preventing usurpation of roles.
• the priests (הַכֹּהֲנִים - hakkōhănîm):
  • From כֹּהֵן (kōhēn), "priest."
  • Significance: Refers to the direct descendants of Aaron, authorized to offer sacrifices, minister before God, and bless the people. Their distinct role involved access to the altar and inner sanctuary for prescribed rituals.
• and the Levites (וְהַלְוִיִּם - vĕhallĕwiyyim):
  • From לֵוִי (lēwî), "Levite."
  • Significance: Refers to the other members of the tribe of Levi, descendants of Jacob's son Levi, who assisted the priests. Their duties varied greatly, including guarding the Temple, transporting sacred objects, preparing offerings, singing, playing instruments, and teaching the Law (Num 3-4, 1 Chr 23). They had access to outer court areas.
• who are among the divisions (מַחְלֶקֶת - maḥleqeṯ):
  • Reiteration of the "division" concept.
  • Significance: Further clarifies that the priests and Levites themselves were to be arranged according to the familial divisions. This mutual organization underscored that all parts of the Temple staff operated under the same overarching, divinely ordained structure.
• of the families of your brethren (אַחֵיכֶם בֵּית־הָאָב - bêṯ-hā’āb ’aḥêḵem):
  • Significance: Refers to the Levites being organized alongside their "brethren" (other Levites from different families), as priests might be alongside other priestly families. This communal element emphasizes unity in service, brotherhood, and collective responsibility within the prescribed order.

2 Chronicles 35 5 Bonus section

The careful detailing of priestly and Levitical divisions in Chronicles is not merely an administrative record; it highlights the Chronicler's theological emphasis on the continuity of legitimate worship, rooted in Jerusalem and its Temple, contrasting it with the religious syncretism or unorganized worship seen in other periods. This strict adherence to order serves as a polemic against the disorganized and unauthorized worship often practiced in the high places or under less godly kings. It underlines the message that true covenant faithfulness involves upholding the cultic practices meticulously. The structure ensured that even generations later, after exile, the identity and roles of priestly and Levitical families could be re-established (Ezra 2, Neh 7), thus demonstrating God's enduring plan for His people's worship.

2 Chronicles 35 5 Commentary

2 Chronicles 35:5 vividly illustrates King Josiah's profound commitment to restoring the precise liturgical order commanded by God, rather than merely superficial religious observance. By commanding the priests and Levites to take their stand "according to the divisions of the families of your fathers," he was reinstating a system of organized service rooted in the Mosaic Law and meticulously codified by King David. This was not simply a matter of convenience but of theological conviction – that proper worship requires proper order and appointed personnel, functioning in their specific roles as dictated by lineage and tradition.

The "holy place" denotes the sacred area where consecrated service could be performed, underlining the holiness demanded of those who ministered before the Lord. The specific mention of "priests" and "Levites" distinguishes their respective, though interconnected, duties. Priests, descendants of Aaron, conducted the blood sacrifices, while the Levites, from other Levitical families, provided crucial support services, from guarding and transporting to music and instruction. This hierarchical yet interdependent structure was essential for managing the massive logistical and spiritual undertaking of a nation-wide Passover, as portrayed in Josiah’s unparalleled celebration. The emphasis on "divisions" ensured accountability, prevented overlap, and guaranteed that the intricate Temple services were carried out efficiently and reverently, honoring God in the manner He prescribed. Josiah’s actions here serve as a timeless model of faithfulness that seeks to honor God by adhering to His commands and respecting the sacred order He has established.