Ezra 6:18 kjv
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
Ezra 6:18 nkjv
They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.
Ezra 6:18 niv
And they installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God at Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.
Ezra 6:18 esv
And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.
Ezra 6:18 nlt
Then the priests and Levites were divided into their various divisions to serve at the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as prescribed in the Book of Moses.
Ezra 6 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 23:6 | David organized the Levites into divisions according to their family clans. | Priestly and Levitical divisions and courses |
| 1 Chr 24:3 | David divided them by course, according to the prescribed rules. | Priestly and Levitical divisions and courses |
| 1 Chr 24:19 | These were their appointed duties for their service in the house of the Lᴏʀᴅ | Priestly and Levitical service assignments |
| 1 Chr 26:12 | These divisions of the gatekeepers... served the Lᴏʀᴅ's house. | Priestly and Levitical service assignments |
| 2 Chr 8:14 | Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites for their service, according to the order of David... | Temple service organization based on divine command |
| 2 Chr 29:25 | Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the Lᴏʀᴅ with cymbals... according to the commandment of David. | Restoration of worship according to Davidic order |
| Neh 12:44 | Men were appointed over the storerooms for the offerings... for the priests and Levites. | Post-exilic provisions for sustained worship |
| Neh 13:30 | I purified them from everything foreign and assigned duties to the priests and Levites, each to his work. | Restoring order and purity to sacred service |
| Exo 28:1 | Take Aaron... and his sons with him... to serve Me as priests. | Divine calling and ordination of priests |
| Lev 8:30 | Moses took some of the anointing oil and of the blood that was on the altar... and anointed Aaron and his garments... | Consecration and authorization for sacred service |
| Num 3:6 | Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may serve him. | Role of Levites in supporting priests and Temple |
| Deut 17:18 | ...he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law... | Importance of the written Law of Moses |
| Josh 1:8 | This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it... | Adherence and obedience to Mosaic Law |
| 2 Kin 22:8 | Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan... "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lᴏʀᴅ." | Rediscovery and impact of God's written Word |
| Neh 8:1 | Ezra the scribe brought the Law before the assembly of men and women... | Public reading and community commitment to the Law |
| Psa 1:2 | ...his delight is in the law of the Lᴏʀᴅ, and on His law he meditates day and night. | Reverence and joy in God's Law |
| Isa 2:3 | For from Zion shall go out the law, and the word of the Lᴏʀᴅ from Jerusalem. | Law and Word of God originating from Jerusalem |
| Mal 4:4 | Remember the law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel... | Remembering Mosaic Law before Messiah's coming |
| Matt 5:17 | Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. | Jesus's fulfillment and upholding of the Law |
| Luke 24:27 | And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. | Christ's teachings align with and illuminate Mosaic writings |
| Rom 10:5 | For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law... | Mosaic Law as a foundation for understanding righteousness |
| Gal 3:24 | So the Law was our guardian until Christ came... | The Law's role in preparing for Christ's redemption |
| Heb 8:5 | They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. | Old Covenant service pointing to the New Covenant reality |
Ezra 6 verses
Ezra 6 18 Meaning
Ezra 6:18 describes the systematic re-establishment of sacred worship in the newly dedicated Second Temple in Jerusalem. Following precise instructions, priests and Levites were assigned to their specific roles and schedules ("divisions" and "courses") to ensure the continuous and proper performance of the service of God, directly adhering to the divine laws found in the Law of Moses. This act symbolized a return to covenant fidelity and ordered worship after the exile.
Ezra 6 18 Context
Ezra 6:18 occurs immediately after the joyful dedication of the rebuilt Temple (Ezra 6:16-17). The construction, initiated by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, completed after years of interruption and prophetic encouragement from Haggai and Zechariah, culminates in this act of setting the Temple in operational order. The verse signifies the re-establishment of proper worship and Temple service following decades of desolation due to the Babylonian exile. It underscores the community's commitment to divine instruction and tradition, specifically highlighting their obedience to the stipulations laid out in the "book of Moses." This move ensures continuity with the pre-exilic worship structure and prevents a repeat of the neglect that led to judgment.
Ezra 6 18 Word analysis
- And they set (וַיַּעֲמִידוּ - vay-ya'amidu): From the Aramaic verb 'Qum', meaning "to stand," used in the Hiphil/Aphel stem for "to cause to stand, appoint, establish, set up." It indicates a deliberate, firm, and authoritative act of organizing and assigning, rather than a casual arrangement. It suggests re-establishing a previously known order.
- the priests (כֹהֲנִים - kohanim): Refers to the descendants of Aaron, specifically chosen by God for sacred duties, including sacrifices, burning incense, teaching the law, and blessing the people. Their role was central to Israelite worship.
- in their divisions (בְּמַחְלְקוֹתֵיהֶם - b'makhlekotayhem): Machlekot (Hebrew cognate) refers to courses, classes, or divisions, often by family or number, established to ensure an organized and continuous system of service. This practice was particularly detailed by King David for efficient Temple ministry (1 Chr 24).
- and the Levites (וּלְוִיִּם - ulviyyim): The tribe of Levi, assigned roles supporting the priests in Temple maintenance, music, gatekeeping, teaching, and other administrative tasks. They served as assistants to the Aaronic priests (Num 3:6-9).
- in their courses (בְּמַעֲלֵיהֶם - b'ma'alehem): Ma'aleh (Aramaic, related to 'alah', "to go up") also signifies assignments, ranks, or established turns of duty. It parallels "divisions" for priests, emphasizing a structured roster of service.
- for the service (עַל עֲבֹדַת - al avodat): Avodah (Aramaic/Hebrew cognate) denotes "work," "labor," but critically, "worship" or "sacred service" in a religious context. It encompasses all liturgical acts performed in the Temple. This service was not optional but a divinely commanded obligation and privilege.
- of God (אֱלָהָא - Elaha): The Aramaic term for "God," equivalent to Hebrew "Elohim." This highlights that the Temple worship was explicitly directed towards the one true God, the God of Israel, not any foreign deity.
- which is at Jerusalem (דִּי בִירוּשְׁלֶם - di virushlem): Specifies the single, divinely ordained location for Temple worship, as prescribed in Mosaic law (Deut 12:5-7, 11). It asserts Jerusalem's central religious authority for the restored community.
- as it is written (כִּכְתָב - ki'k'tav): "According to the writing," signifying strict adherence to authoritative, documented instructions. This phrase validates their actions as divinely sanctioned, not human innovation.
- in the book of Moses (סֵפֶר מֹשֶׁה - sefer Moshe): Refers to the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy), God's covenant law given through Moses. This phrase acts as the ultimate authority, legitimizing the actions of the returned exiles by grounding them directly in the divine revelation. It signals a foundational commitment to Torah observance.
Ezra 6 18 Bonus section
The precise organization of Temple service, meticulously detailed in Chronicles, reflects not just logistical efficiency but also a theological principle: God is a God of order, and His worship should reflect His character. The system of "divisions" (מַחְלְקָה, makhleka) meant that different priestly families and Levitical clans took turns serving in the Temple throughout the year. This ensured that the enormous amount of work required for daily sacrifices, rituals, teaching, and maintenance was manageable and continuous. The re-establishment of these specific roles post-exile signified a complete spiritual rehabilitation, indicating that Israel was returning to the full scope of their covenant obligations. It was a tangible expression of repentance and a renewal of their covenant with Yahweh. This methodical approach prevented disunity and ensured comprehensive spiritual care for the people.
Ezra 6 18 Commentary
Ezra 6:18 marks the pivotal moment where the physical restoration of the Temple transitions into the spiritual restoration of its rightful purpose: ordered worship. The emphasis on "divisions" and "courses" for priests and Levites reveals a profound commitment to God's prescribed way of worship, a stark contrast to the religious negligence that characterized pre-exilic Israel. By diligently organizing their roles "as it is written in the book of Moses," the community demonstrated not just religious zeal, but a deep respect for divine authority. This adherence ensured that their acts of worship were not arbitrary but legitimate and pleasing to God, mirroring the blueprint He had laid down centuries prior. This restoration of proper Temple functions also underscores the sovereignty of God, as even Persian kings facilitated the return and re-establishment of this divine order. It shows that true worship is both Spirit and truth, incorporating sincerity and adherence to divine truth. For believers today, it serves as a reminder that devotion to God involves not just inner desire, but also diligent application of His Word and participation in the ordered life of the believing community. For example, local church bodies are organized with various roles and responsibilities to facilitate ministry according to biblical principles.