Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. New Living Translation He said to them, “You are the leaders of the Levite families. You must purify yourselves and all your fellow Levites, so you can bring the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. English Standard Version and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Berean Standard Bible And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. Berean Literal Bible and He said to them, “You⁺ are heads of the fathers of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, you⁺ and your⁺ brothers, that you⁺ may bring up the ark of YHWH, God of Israel, to where I have prepared for it. King James Bible And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. New King James Version He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. New American Standard Bible and he said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves, you and your relatives, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. NASB 1995 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves both you and your relatives, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. NASB 1977 and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves both you and your relatives, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Legacy Standard Bible and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; set yourselves apart as holy, both you and your relatives, that you may bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Amplified Bible and he said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites; consecrate yourselves, both you and your relatives, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Berean Annotated Bible And he said to them, “You⁺ are the heads of the Levitical families. You⁺ and your⁺ relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you⁺ may bring the ark of the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), to the place I have prepared for it. Christian Standard Bible He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. Holman Christian Standard Bible He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. American Standard Version and said unto them, Ye are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel, unto the place that I have prepared for it. Contemporary English Version He said to them, "You are the leaders of the clans in the Levi tribe. You and your relatives must first go through the ceremony to make yourselves clean and acceptable to the LORD. Then you may carry the sacred chest that belongs to the LORD God of Israel and bring it to the place I have prepared for it. English Revised Version and said unto them, Ye are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, unto the place that I have prepared for it. GOD'S WORD® Translation He said to them, "You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy. Then bring the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I prepared for it. Good News Translation He said to the Levites, "You are the leaders of the Levite clans. Purify yourselves and your fellow Levites, so that you can bring the Covenant Box of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. International Standard Version and addressed them: "As leaders of your Levitical families, set yourselves apart, both you and your relatives, so you can be qualified to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I've prepared for it. NET Bible He told them: "You are the leaders of the Levites' families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves and bring the ark of the LORD God of Israel up to the place I have prepared for it. New Heart English Bible and said to them, "You are the heads of the ancestral houses of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Webster's Bible Translation And said to them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. World English Bible and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, up to the place that I have prepared for it. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand says to them, “You [are] heads of the fathers of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brothers, and you have brought up the Ark of YHWH, God of Israel, to [the place] I have prepared for it; Berean Literal Bible and He said to them, “You⁺ are heads of the fathers of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, you⁺ and your⁺ brothers, that you⁺ may bring up the ark of YHWH, God of Israel, to where I have prepared for it. Young's Literal Translation and saith to them, 'Ye are heads of the fathers of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, ye and your brethren, and ye have brought up the ark of Jehovah, God of Israel, unto the place I have prepared for it; Smith's Literal Translation And he will say to them, Ye heads of the fathers to the Levites: ye shall purify yourselves, ye and your brethren, and bring ye up the ark of Jehovah the God of Israel to that I prepared for it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said to them: You that are the heads of the Levitical families, be sanctified with your brethren, and brine the ark of the Lord the God of Israel to the place, which is prepared for it: Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to them: “You who are the leaders of the Levitical families, be sanctified with your brothers, and bring the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place that has been prepared for it. New American Bible and said to them: “You heads of the levitical houses, sanctify yourselves along with your brothers to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place which I have prepared for it. New Revised Standard Version He said to them, “You are the heads of families of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your kindred, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd said to them, You are the chiefs of the fathers of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, both you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place which has been built for it before, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said to them: “You are the Heads of the fathers of Levi. Be hallowed, you and your brothers, so that you will bring up the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH, God of Israel, to the place of the building that existed for it from the first OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and said unto them: 'Ye are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, unto the place that I have prepared for it. Brenton Septuagint Translation and said to them, Ye are the heads of the families of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, and ye shall carry up the ark of the God of Israel, to the place which I have prepared for it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Preparations to Move the Ark…11David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. 13It was because you Levites were not with us the first time that the LORD our God burst forth in anger against us. For we did not consult Him about the proper order.”… Cross References And he said to them, 1 Chronicles 13:2 And he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers in all the land of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands, so that they may join us. Ezra 8:28 Then I told them, “You are holy to the LORD, and these articles are holy. The silver and gold are a freewill offering to the LORD, the God of your fathers. 2 Chronicles 29:11 Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.” “You are the heads of the Levitical families. 1 Chronicles 9:34 All these were heads of Levite families, chiefs according to their genealogies, and they lived in Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 23:24 These were the descendants of Levi by their families—the heads of families, registered individually by name—those twenty years of age or older who worked in the service of the house of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 24:31 As their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, they also cast lots in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the families of the priests and Levites—the family heads and their younger brothers alike. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves 2 Chronicles 29:5 “Listen to me, O Levites,” he said. “Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers. Remove from the Holy Place every impurity. 2 Chronicles 35:6 Slaughter the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves, and make preparations for your fellow countrymen to carry out the word of the LORD given by Moses.” Exodus 19:22 Even the priests who approach the LORD must consecrate themselves, or the LORD will break out against them.” so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, Deuteronomy 10:8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day. 2 Chronicles 5:5 and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up. Deuteronomy 31:25 he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD: the God of Israel, 1 Samuel 5:7 And when the men of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not stay here with us, because His hand is heavy upon us and upon our god Dagon.” 1 Samuel 6:3 They replied, “If you return the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means return it to Him with a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and you will understand why His hand has not been lifted from you.” 1 Kings 8:15 and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, to the place I have prepared for it. 2 Chronicles 1:4 Now David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. Treasury of Scripture And said to them, You are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place that I have prepared for it. Ye are the chief 1 Chronicles 9:34 These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 24:31 These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren. sanctify 1 Chronicles 15:14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. Exodus 19:14,15 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes… 2 Chronicles 5:11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: Jump to Previous Ark Chief Consecrate Families Fathers Fellow Heads Holy Households Houses Israel Levites Prepared Ready Relatives Sanctify YourselvesJump to Next Ark Chief Consecrate Families Fathers Fellow Heads Holy Households Houses Israel Levites Prepared Ready Relatives Sanctify Yourselves1 Chronicles 15 1. David having prepared a place for the ark,15. the priests and Levites bring it from Obed-Edom 25. He performs the solemnity thereof with great joy 29. Michal despises him And he said to them This phrase indicates a direct address from King David, who is speaking to the Levites. David's leadership role is emphasized here, as he is orchestrating the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This reflects his desire to restore proper worship and honor God according to the Law. You are the heads of the Levitical families You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD the God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel who is organizing the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. 2. Levites Members of the tribe of Levi, specifically chosen for religious duties and the care of the tabernacle and later the temple. 3. Ark of the Covenant A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence with His people. 4. Jerusalem The city where David intended to bring the Ark, establishing it as the religious and political center of Israel. 5. Consecration The act of making oneself holy or set apart for God's service, a requirement for the Levites before moving the Ark. Teaching Points The Importance of HolinessGod requires those who serve Him to be consecrated, emphasizing the need for purity and dedication in our own lives. Obedience to God's Instructions The Levites were reminded to follow God's specific instructions for transporting the Ark, teaching us the importance of adhering to God's Word in our actions. Leadership and Responsibility As leaders, the heads of the Levitical families were responsible for ensuring the proper preparation and execution of their duties, reminding us of the weight of leadership in spiritual matters. Preparation for Worship The preparation of the Levites before moving the Ark highlights the need for intentional preparation in our worship and service to God. God's Presence and Our Response The Ark symbolized God's presence, and the reverence shown in its handling reflects how we should approach God with awe and respect. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 15:12?2. How does 1 Chronicles 15:12 emphasize the importance of consecration before serving God? 3. What role does obedience play in carrying out God's instructions in 1 Chronicles 15:12? 4. How can we apply the principle of consecration in our daily lives today? 5. What other Scriptures highlight the necessity of preparation before approaching God's work? 6. How does 1 Chronicles 15:12 guide us in respecting God's holiness and commands? 7. What does 1 Chronicles 15:12 reveal about the importance of sanctification in worship? 8. How does 1 Chronicles 15:12 emphasize the role of the Levites in Israelite worship practices? 9. Why is obedience to God's instructions crucial according to 1 Chronicles 15:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 15? 11. When did David bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem? Before defeating the Philistines or after? After (2 Samuel 5 and 6) Before (I Chronicles 13 and 14) 12. 2 Samuel 6:7 – Why would an all-knowing God strike Uzzah dead for physically stabilizing the Ark when his intention seemed good? 13. In 1 Chronicles 15:2, where David insists only the Levites may carry the Ark, how do we reconcile this claim with any instances where non-Levites handled it or transported it in other texts? 14. Why would David, who trusted God's protection, flee Jerusalem and leave the Ark behind (2 Samuel 15:25-26)? What Does 1 Chronicles 15:12 Mean And he said to themDavid gathers the Levitical leaders and speaks directly to them (1 Chronicles 15:11). His personal address underscores both urgency and responsibility, much like Moses summoning the elders before Sinai (Exodus 19:7). By saying this aloud, David publicly rectifies the earlier failed attempt to move the ark (2 Samuel 6:6–10), showing that obedience to God’s stated order now governs the project. You are the heads of the Levitical families • God assigns specific people for sacred tasks (Numbers 1:50; 4:15). • Leadership among the Levites is not merely honorary; it carries weighty duty (1 Chronicles 15:4–5). • David affirms their God-given authority, reminding them—and the watching nation—that spiritual leadership begins with those God appoints (Hebrews 13:17 echoes this principle for today’s church). You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves • Consecration involved washing, abstaining from uncleanness, and offering sacrifices (Exodus 19:10, 22). • Holiness is both inward and outward; the Levites must be clean before lifting the ark (Leviticus 8:30; 2 Chronicles 29:5). • The call expands to “your relatives,” teaching that holiness cannot be delegated; every participant must prepare personally (1 Peter 1:15–16 reflects the same timeless standard). so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel • The ark symbolizes God’s tangible presence and covenant (Exodus 25:21–22). • Only Levites may carry it on poles, never on a cart (Numbers 7:9). The earlier tragedy with Uzzah proves why (2 Samuel 6:6–8). • David highlights God’s personal name—“the LORD, the God of Israel”—reinforcing that this task concerns the living, covenant-keeping God, not a mere artifact (Deuteronomy 10:8). to the place I have prepared for it • David pitched a special tent in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:1), anticipating the permanent temple his son will build (2 Samuel 7:2). • Preparation shows reverence: David will not house the ark casually (Psalm 132:3–5). • The phrase models intentionality—God’s presence deserves forethought and priority in every generation (John 14:2 echoes the idea of a prepared place for God’s people). summary David’s instruction in 1 Chronicles 15:12 weaves together leadership, holiness, obedience, and preparation. The Levites must lead rightly, purify thoroughly, handle the ark precisely, and place it where God’s appointed king has readied a dwelling. The verse teaches that God’s work must be done God’s way by God’s people, underscoring that reverent obedience invites His presence and blessing. (12) Chief of the fathers.--Heads of the father- houses. They were the heads of the chief divisions in each sub-group of the tribe.Sanctify yourselves.--Special purifications appear to have been prescribed in connection with all sacrifice and worship. (Comp. Genesis 35:2; Exodus 19:10; Exodus 19:15; Exodus 30:17-21.) Bathing the person, and washing or changing the garments, and keeping oneself aloof from whatever was regarded as defiling, were the main requisites. And all this was needful to teach Israel that the All-pure requires purity in His worshippers. (Comp. 2Chronicles 30:3.) . . . Verse 12. - Sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren. Nothing of the appointed observances of the Law are to be omitted this time, as in the haste and want of premeditation of the former occasion (Exodus 19:22; Exodus 28:41; Exodus 40:13; Leviticus 8:12; Leviticus 20:7; Leviticus 21:8; 2 Chronicles 5:11; 2 Chronicles 29:15). These "sanctifyings" consisted of different observances, according to the person and the occasion, but largely of ablutions of the body, washing of the clothes, and keeping separate from all natural and ceremonial causes of uncleanness in ordinary cases of Levitical service. That ye may bring up the ark. The word here employed for "bring" is not the same with the "carry" of vers 1 and 2. But the following verses (13-15) seem to intimate that, whatever the exact reason for which Uzzah had been peremptorily cut off, the Levites had also been to blame in not sanctifying themselves to carry the ark by its staves in the way originally appointed.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And he said to them,וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “You אַתֶּ֛ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are the heads רָאשֵׁ֥י (rā·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 7218: The head of the Levitical לַלְוִיִּ֑ם (lal·wî·yim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi families. הָאָב֖וֹת (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1: Father You אַתֶּ֣ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you and your relatives וַאֲחֵיכֶ֔ם (wa·’ă·ḥê·ḵem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 251: A brother, ) must consecrate yourselves הִֽתְקַדְּשׁוּ֙ (hiṯ·qad·də·šū) Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated so that you may bring וְהַֽעֲלִיתֶ֗ם (wə·ha·‘ă·lî·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively the ark אֲר֤וֹן (’ă·rō·wn) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 727: A chest, ark of the LORD, יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel the God אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc to [the place] אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to I have prepared הֲכִינ֖וֹתִי (hă·ḵî·nō·w·ṯî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3559: To be erect for it. לֽוֹ׃ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew Links 1 Chronicles 15:12 NIV1 Chronicles 15:12 NLT 1 Chronicles 15:12 ESV 1 Chronicles 15:12 NASB 1 Chronicles 15:12 KJV 1 Chronicles 15:12 BibleApps.com 1 Chronicles 15:12 Biblia Paralela 1 Chronicles 15:12 Chinese Bible 1 Chronicles 15:12 French Bible 1 Chronicles 15:12 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Chronicles 15:12 And said to them You are (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr) |
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