King James Version
What Does 2 Chronicles 35:4 Mean?
“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.”
Context
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
6
So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(4) **And prepare yourselves.**—The pronoun should not be italicised, for the verb is *niphal* or reflexive, and not *hiphil* or causative, as the Hebrew vowel points wrongly suggest.
**By the houses of your fathers.**—*According to your father-houses.*
**After your courses.**—*In your divisions,* (See 1 Chronicles 13-26)
**According to the writing of David . . . Solomon his son.**—Comp. 1Chronicles 28:19, where David refers to such a writing. The words seem to imply the existence of written memorials of the regulations of public worship, which David and Solomon instituted.
(“Writing of David” is k*ĕthâb,* a word only found in Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel and Esther. “Writing of Solomon” is *miktab;* see Exodus 32:16).
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 35:4 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 35:4
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge