2 Chronicles 7 6

2 Chronicles 7:6 kjv

And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.

2 Chronicles 7:6 nkjv

And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the LORD, which King David had made to praise the LORD, saying, "For His mercy endures forever," whenever David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood.

2 Chronicles 7:6 niv

The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the LORD's musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the LORD and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, "His love endures forever." Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.

2 Chronicles 7:6 esv

The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the instruments for music to the LORD that King David had made for giving thanks to the LORD ? for his steadfast love endures forever ? whenever David offered praises by their ministry; opposite them the priests sounded trumpets, and all Israel stood.

2 Chronicles 7:6 nlt

The priests took their assigned positions, and so did the Levites who were singing, "His faithful love endures forever!" They accompanied the singing with music from the instruments King David had made for praising the LORD. Across from the Levites, the priests blew the trumpets, while all Israel stood.

2 Chronicles 7 verses

2 Chronicles 7 6 Meaning

This verse vividly describes the meticulously ordered and unified worship during the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, immediately following the display of God's glory. It highlights the distinct yet harmonious roles of the priests and Levites in leading the praise. The priests were dedicated to their designated duties, while the Levites led the musical worship, utilizing instruments specifically designated for the Lord and ordained by King David. Their corporate praise centered on the eternal steadfast love (mercy) of the Lord, echoing a theme established by David. The scene is further accentuated by the priests sounding trumpets and all the assembled Israelites standing in reverence and active participation.

2 Chronicles 7 6 Context

2 Chronicles 7:6 is nestled within the account of the dedication of Solomon's Temple, specifically detailing the joyous and ordered response to the powerful manifestation of God's presence. Immediately preceding this verse, in 2 Chronicles 7:1, fire descended from heaven consuming the burnt offering and sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple, making it impossible for the priests to enter. This divine acceptance and visible glory profoundly impacted all Israel (v.3), leading them to kneel and worship, repeating the phrase "for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." Verse 6, therefore, describes the orchestrated human response of praise and service following and because of this awe-inspiring divine confirmation. It highlights the established protocol of worship in the Temple, building upon the extensive preparations made by David for the Levitical musicians and priestly functions, ensuring a beautiful and orderly spiritual expression rooted in covenant loyalty and reverence.

2 Chronicles 7 6 Word analysis

• The priests waited on their offices:
  • "The priests" (כֹּהֲנִים, kohanîm): Descendants of Aaron, set apart for sacrificial duties, ministering at the altar, blessing the people, and interceding. Their waiting "on their offices" (al-mishmerotam) implies they were stationed at their specific posts or divisions of service, ready to perform their distinct duties according to established divine protocol. This speaks to order, preparedness, and sacred responsibility in worship.
• the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD:
  • "The Levites" (הַלְוִיִּם, halĕwîyim): Descendants of Levi, designated assistants to the priests. They had diverse duties, including caring for the sanctuary, but their unique contribution, as heavily emphasized by the Chronicler, was the ministry of sacred music and song.
  • "instruments of music" (כְּלֵי־שִׁיר, k'lei-shir): Literally "utensils/vessels of song." This phrase denotes the divinely approved instruments used specifically for sacred worship. This wasn't merely entertainment; it was a consecrated part of praising God, signifying beauty and skill dedicated to Him.
  • "of the LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): Not merely secular music, but consecrated to God, indicating divine approval and purpose for this worship. This sets temple worship apart as uniquely dedicated.
• which David the king had made to praise the LORD:
  • "which David the king had made": King David, divinely inspired, organized the elaborate musical worship for the temple, including the composition of many Psalms and the assignment of specific Levitical families (e.g., Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun) to musical roles. This emphasizes the continuity and legitimacy of this specific form of praise as established by a pivotal, God-anointed king, demonstrating adherence to divine blueprint through David's ordinances (1 Chr 23-25).
  • "to praise" (לְהַלֵּל, l'hallel): From the Hebrew root halal, meaning "to praise, to boast, to glorify." This is the core purpose of their musical ministry: to offer worship and extol God's attributes, not just to make sounds.
• because his mercy endureth for ever:
  • "because his mercy endureth for ever" (כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ, ki l'olam hasdo): This is a liturgical refrain of supreme importance, deeply embedded in Israelite worship. "Mercy" here translates hesed, which is much richer than just pity; it encompasses loyal love, covenant faithfulness, steadfast love, and unfailing kindness. The eternity (l'olam) of this hesed is the foundational theological truth that underpins all Israel's praise and hope. It means God's love and covenant faithfulness are unwavering across generations and circumstances.
• when David praised by their ministry:
  • "by their ministry" (בְּיָדָם, b'yadam): Literally "by their hand" or "by their means." This highlights that while David instituted the system of praise, the Levites were the active instruments through whom that praise was physically performed. It acknowledges both the visionary leadership and the faithful execution of God-ordained worship.
• and the priests sounded trumpets before them:
  • "the priests sounded trumpets" (מַחְצְצְרִים, mahchatz'tz'rim): Priests were distinct from Levites and had the specific duty of blowing trumpets (chatzozerah), often silver, to call assemblies, declare new moons, celebrate feasts, signal alarm, and lead into battle. Here, their trumpets provide a stately, loud accompaniment to the Levites' more melodic instruments, signaling reverence, divine presence, and a call to attention during worship.
  • "before them": Referring to the Levites and their musical instruments, signifying a collaborative but distinct role, perhaps leading or punctuating the worship from a position of prominence.
• and all Israel stood:
  • "all Israel stood": A posture of profound reverence, respect, readiness, and active participation in worship. It indicates solemn attention, a sense of awe, and a corporate acknowledgment of God's presence and greatness. This standing signifies unity and a communal posture of humility before the Almighty, in contrast to kneeling or prostrating, yet equally demonstrating reverence.

2 Chronicles 7 6 Bonus section

• Polemics against contemporary beliefs: The Chronicler's emphasis on Jerusalem-centered, David-ordained Temple worship, performed by distinct groups of priests and Levites, can be seen as a strong statement against any syncretic practices or rival worship sites (like those in the Northern Kingdom, for instance). By attributing the musical instruments and organization directly to David, a king sanctioned by God, it legitimized this specific form of worship as the only divinely approved one, subtly rebuking alternative practices.
• Significance of Music in Chronicles: The books of Chronicles place an exceptionally high emphasis on musical worship, more so than other Old Testament historical books. This reflects the post-exilic community's desire to re-establish proper Temple service according to historical, pre-exilic precedents, fostering identity and hope. Music was not an optional add-on but an essential and integral part of the service, crucial for fostering spiritual health and communion with God.
• Hesed as a Foundation for Praise: The repetition of "for his mercy endureth forever" (Hesed) is not a simple cliché but a profound theological declaration. It emphasizes that Israel's praise is rooted in the certainty of God's character and covenant faithfulness, especially pertinent for the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, reminding them of God's enduring commitment despite their past failures and present challenges. It affirms that praise flows from a deep understanding and trust in God's nature.

2 Chronicles 7 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 7:6 serves as a detailed snapshot of Israel's divinely ordered worship during the zenith of the Solomon Temple dedication. It meticulously differentiates the sacred roles within the community: priests maintaining their ritual duties, Levites performing musical praise, and the whole assembly standing in reverence. The Chronicler emphasizes the pivotal role of King David in orchestrating the liturgical music, imbuing it with prophetic and divine authority. At the core of their praise is the unwavering theological declaration, "His mercy endures forever," acknowledging God's faithful, covenantal love as the eternal foundation for their worship. This verse portrays not just an act of praise, but a deeply structured, biblically-rooted, and corporately-embraced worship that flowed as a natural, Spirit-filled response to God's manifested glory, establishing a pattern of reverent, joyful, and ordered worship centered on God's unchanging character.