King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 35:3 Mean?

2 Chronicles 35:3 in the King James Version says “And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Sol... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,

2 Chronicles 35:3 · KJV


Context

1

Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

2

And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,

3

And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,

4

And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.

5

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. the families of the fathers: Heb. the house of the fathers the people: Heb. the sons of the people


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Greatest worship celebration since Samuel's time. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 31

And said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַ֠לְוִיִּם2 of 31

unto the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

הַמְּבִונִ֨ים3 of 31

that taught

H995

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

לְכָל4 of 31
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃5 of 31

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הַקְּדוֹשִׁ֣ים6 of 31

which were holy

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

יְהוָ֣ה7 of 31

now the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

תְּנ֤וּ8 of 31

Put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת9 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲרוֹן10 of 31

ark

H727

a box

הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙11 of 31

the holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

בַּ֠בַּיִת12 of 31

in the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר13 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּנָ֜ה14 of 31

did build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה15 of 31

which Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

בֶן16 of 31

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

דָּוִיד֙17 of 31

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

מֶ֣לֶךְ18 of 31

king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃19 of 31

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֵין20 of 31
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לָכֶ֥ם21 of 31
H0
מַשָּׂ֖א22 of 31

it shall not be a burden

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

בַּכָּתֵ֑ף23 of 31

upon your shoulders

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

עַתָּ֗ה24 of 31
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

עִבְדוּ֙25 of 31

serve

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת26 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֣ה27 of 31

now the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם28 of 31

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְאֵ֖ת29 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַמּ֥וֹ30 of 31

and his people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃31 of 31

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 35:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 35:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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