2 Chronicles 5 12

2 Chronicles 5:12 kjv

Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

2 Chronicles 5:12 nkjv

and the Levites who were the singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets?

2 Chronicles 5:12 niv

All the Levites who were musicians?Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives?stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.

2 Chronicles 5:12 esv

and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters;

2 Chronicles 5:12 nlt

And the Levites who were musicians ? Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers ? were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets.

2 Chronicles 5 verses

2 Chronicles 5 12 Meaning

2 Chronicles 5:12 describes a moment of immense, unified worship during the dedication of Solomon's Temple. It portrays all the Levites who were singers, dressed in fine linen, standing ready with musical instruments. Alongside them, 120 priests blew trumpets. This massed array of consecrated worshipers, using both strings and winds, prepared the atmosphere through sound and unity for the powerful manifestation of God's presence and glory. The verse emphasizes the vastness, organization, and dedication of the participants in this monumental act of praise.

2 Chronicles 5 12 Context

2 Chronicles 5:12 is situated at a pivotal moment in Israel's history: the dedication of the magnificent Temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem. The immediate context of the chapter describes the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, being brought from Zion (David's city) into the newly constructed Most Holy Place within the Temple. This momentous transfer signifies God's dwelling being established among His people in a permanent structure, moving beyond the transient Tabernacle. The previous verses detail the priestly actions, the Levites bearing the Ark, and the sheer number of sacrifices. Verse 12 sets the stage for the dramatic outpouring of God's glory by emphasizing the specific, organized worship enacted by dedicated Levites and priests, leading directly into the description of unified praise and the filling of the Temple with God's cloud of glory. Historically, this event fulfilled David's vision and God's promise to dwell among His people, marking a golden age of worship and royal blessing in ancient Israel. The elaborate display of musicians and instruments highlights the central and elevated role of structured, skilled music in the worship of Yahweh, distinct from spontaneous pagan rites.

2 Chronicles 5 12 Word analysis

• And all the Levites who were singers,

  • And: Connects this act of worship to the preceding actions, particularly the bringing in of the Ark and the role of the priests.
  • all the Levites: Implies a collective and unified participation, not just a select few. The Levites were divinely appointed for service in the Tabernacle and Temple, specifically trained for their roles. Their dedication was foundational to proper worship.
  • who were singers: The Hebrew term for singers is mĕshorĕrīm (מְשֹׁרְרִים), derived from the root shir (שיר) meaning "to sing." It indicates their specific, consecrated function within the Levitical duties, highlighting a skilled and artful form of worship.

• of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun,

  • Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun: These were prominent Levitical families (or individuals representing their lines) who served as chief musicians and worship leaders, established by King David (1 Chr 25:1). Their inclusion here underscores the continuity of David's reforms in Temple worship and the importance of organized, ancestral roles in leading the people in praise. They represent the official, consecrated structure of musical worship.

• clothed in fine linen,

  • clothed in fine linen: Hebrew bāḏāḏ (בַּד). Fine linen was a material associated with purity, holiness, and the priestly garments (Ex 28:39, Lev 16:4). This attire signified their consecrated status and ceremonial purity, suitable for serving in God's presence. It was a visual demonstration of their set-apartness for sacred service.

• having cymbals, harps, and lyres,

  • having cymbals: Hebrew mĕṣilṭāyyim (מְצִלְתַּיִם), large bronze percussion instruments creating a loud, piercing sound, used for emphasis and signaling during worship.
  • harps: Hebrew nēḇālîm (נְבָלִים), stringed instruments typically larger than lyres, producing a resonant sound.
  • and lyres: Hebrew kin·nōrōṯ (כִּנֹּרוֹת), smaller stringed instruments, often associated with joyful melodies and prophecy (1 Sam 10:5).
  • The combination of these instruments (percussion, large strings, small strings) indicates a full, rich, and varied orchestral sound designed for solemn yet triumphant praise. Their presence highlights the centrality of instrumental music in Temple worship.

• stood at the east end of the altar,

  • stood: Positioned themselves deliberately for service.
  • at the east end of the altar: The altar of burnt offering was a central feature in the courtyard, symbolizing atonement. Standing "at the east end" would place them prominently and purposefully in the orientation of the Temple, facing towards the Holy Place. This position could signify their readiness to facilitate approach to God through praise, mirroring the altar's role in approaching God through sacrifice.

• and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets;

  • and with them: Signifies a harmonious collaboration and a unified purpose between the Levitical musicians and the priests.
  • one hundred and twenty: The number is significant; 120 is 10 times 12 (tribes of Israel), potentially symbolizing the totality and perfection of Israel's priestly service or representing a significant number indicating fullness and completeness (cf. Acts 1:15).
  • priests: Specifically consecrated individuals authorized to minister before the Lord, performing ritual duties including blowing trumpets.
  • blowing trumpets: The Hebrew term ḥaṣoṣrot (חֲצֹצְרוֹת) refers to silver trumpets, unlike the shofar (ram's horn). These were distinct cultic instruments, often used to signal assembly, to announce a new month, during offerings, and for significant declarations (Num 10:1-10). Their sound was commanding and ceremonial, calling attention to the divine moment and anticipating the glory.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "all the Levites who were singers, of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun...": This group represents the comprehensive, organized, and genealogically mandated music ministry established under David, now operating fully for Solomon's Temple. It underscores the divine order and tradition governing the sacred arts.
  • "clothed in fine linen, having cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood at the east end of the altar": This phrase paints a vivid picture of prepared, pure, and powerfully equipped worshipers. Their garments symbolize sanctity, and their instruments represent the fullness of joyful, orchestrated sound, strategically placed for maximum impact in the Temple court.
  • "and with them one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets": This highlights the combined priestly and Levitical effort, bringing together both instrumental skilled music and the ceremonial, declarative sound of the trumpets. The large number of priests amplifies the significance and solemnity of the occasion, creating an overwhelming, unified sound intended to summon and herald the divine presence.

2 Chronicles 5 12 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun" as chief musicians indicates that the Chronicler wants to connect this moment of unparalleled glory to David's intentional structuring of worship. David, known as the "sweet psalmist of Israel" (2 Sam 23:1), prophetically envisioned and organized the Temple music long before its construction. This demonstrates that effective, God-honoring worship is not spontaneous improvisation but often arises from diligent preparation, disciplined skill, and adherence to divine instruction or spirit-inspired order. The polemical undertone might be subtle but present: Yahweh worship is not chaotic or merely emotional; it is ordered, skilled, and intentional, distinct from the ecstatic, uncontrolled rites of pagan deities where cultic frenzies were common. This vast display of ordered sound emphasizes the grandeur and worthiness of God to receive such honor. The combined sound of cymbals, harps, lyres, and 120 trumpets would have been an overwhelming sonic experience, symbolic of the greatness of the God being worshiped and of the total dedication of His people.

2 Chronicles 5 12 Commentary

2 Chronicles 5:12 describes an extraordinary confluence of human and divine preparation. The meticulous detail in mentioning "all the Levites who were singers" and the specific mention of the lines of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun underscore the deliberate and pre-ordained nature of this worship. This was not a casual gathering but a highly organized and skilled assembly, executing sacred duties inherited from Davidic tradition. Their "fine linen" garments signify ritual purity and holiness, distinguishing them for their unique service. The array of instruments—cymbals for vibrant emphasis, harps for melodic resonance, and lyres for lyrical expression—points to a full and rich orchestration of praise.

Crucially, this Levitical musical ensemble was joined by a formidable contingent of "one hundred and twenty priests blowing trumpets." The presence of priests, with their sacred trumpets (unlike the ram's horn), added a solemn, heraldic, and priestly dimension to the musical worship. The number 120, a significant biblical number (e.g., in Moses' age, in the number of apostles, the lifespan of Noah's contemporaries), here suggests a full, divinely ordered company, adding immense weight to their unified sound.

Their collective positioning "at the east end of the altar" implies an active participation in the rites and an anticipation of the divine response from the sanctuary. The combined, unified sound from this large body of consecrated musicians and priests created a powerful auditory expression of devotion, anticipation, and unity. It was this concerted and holy offering of praise, an act of "preparing the way" musically, that immediately preceded and paved the way for the visible manifestation of God's glory that would fill the Temple, as described in the very next verses. This demonstrates how human obedience, skilled service, and unified worship can become a conduit for the tangible presence of God.