King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 5:12 Mean?

“Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)”

Context

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. when the LORD: or, where, etc

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: present: Heb. found

Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) **All of them of Asaph . . . brethren.**—Heb., *to all of them, to Asaph, to Heman,* &c., &c., *and to their sons, and to their brethren.* This use of the particle *le* (*to, for*) is characteristic of the chronicler, whose style in these verses stands in marked contrast with the former part of the chapter. As to the Levitical guilds of musicians, comp. 1Chronicles 25:1-7; 1Chronicles 15:16, *seq.* **Arrayed in white linen.**—1Chronicles 15:27. **Having cymbals and psalteries and harps.**—*With cymbals and nebels and kinnors* (harps and lutes, or guitars). (See 1Chronicles 15:28.) **Stood at the east end of the altar.**—*Were standing east of the altar.* **And with them . . . trumpets.**—*And with them priests, to a hundred and twenty, were trumpeting with trumpets.* (*See* 1Chronicles 15:24.) **An hundred and twenty.**—Thus five to each of the twenty-four classes of the priests. The mark of parenthesis should be cancelled.

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 5:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.