Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, July 12th, 2025
the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Read the Bible

Contemporary English Version

2 Chronicles 35:3

He called together the Levites who served the Lord and who taught the people his laws, and he said: No longer will you have to carry the sacred chest from place to place. It will stay in the temple built by King Solomon son of David, where you will serve the Lord and his people Israel.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ark;   Josiah;   Law;   Levites;   Liberality;   Passover;   Thompson Chain Reference - Ark;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Ark of the Covenant;   Levites, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ark of the Covenant;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ark;   Josiah;   Levite;   Priest;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Apocrypha;   Ark;   Feasts and Festivals of Israel;   Levite;   Priest, Priesthood;   Sanctification;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Josiah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Ark of the Covenant;   Hilkiah;   Josiah;   Levites;   Manasseh (2);   Pentateuch;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Preaching in the Bible;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Chronicles, I;   Holiness;   Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread;   Zachariah, Zacharias;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Levites;   Passover (I.);   Synagogue;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Josiah ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Ark;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Ark of the Covenant;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Kingdom of Judah;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Josiah;   Shoulder;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ark of the covenant;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Ark of the Covenant;   Baruch, Apocalypse of (Syriac);   Education;   Meturgeman;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
He said to the Levites who taught all Israel the holy things of the Lord, “Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. Since you do not have to carry it on your shoulders, now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel.
Hebrew Names Version
He said to the Levites who taught all Yisra'el, who were holy to the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Shlomo the son of David king of Yisra'el did build; there shall no more be a burden on your shoulders: now serve the LORD your God, and his people Yisra'el.
King James Version
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,
English Standard Version
And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the Lord , "Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. You need not carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel.
New Century Version
The Levites taught the Israelites and were made holy for service to the Lord . Josiah said to them, "Put the Holy Ark in the Temple that David's son Solomon, the king of Israel, built. Do not carry it from place to place on your shoulders anymore. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel.
New English Translation
He told the Levites, who instructed all Israel about things consecrated to the Lord , "Place the holy ark in the temple which King Solomon son of David of Israel built. Don't carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel!
Amplified Bible
To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the LORD he said, "Put the holy ark in the house (temple) which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; it shall not be a burden [carried] on your shoulders any longer. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.
New American Standard Bible
He also said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the LORD, "Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; it will not be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.
World English Bible
He said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Yahweh, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden on your shoulders: now serve Yahweh your God, and his people Israel.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And he sayd vnto the Leuites that taught all Israel and were sanctified vnto the Lorde, Put the holy Arke in the house which Salomon the sonne of Dauid King of Israel did build: it shalbe no more a burden vpo your shoulders: serue now the Lord your God and his people Israel,
Legacy Standard Bible
He also said to the Levites who provided understanding to all Israel and who were holy to Yahweh, "Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; it will be a burden on your shoulders no longer. Now serve Yahweh your God and His people Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the LORD, Josiah said: "Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. It is not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.
Complete Jewish Bible
To the L'vi'im who were teaching all Isra'el and were holy for Adonai he said, "Put the holy ark in the house which Shlomo the son of David, king of Isra'el, built; after this, you will not have to carry it again. Now serve Adonai your God and his people Isra'el.
Darby Translation
And he said to the Levites, that taught all Israel, [and] who were holy to Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built; ye have not to carry it upon your shoulders. Serve now Jehovah your God, and his people Israel;
Easy-to-Read Version
He spoke to the Levites who taught the Israelites and who were made holy for service to the Lord . He said to the Levites, "Put the Holy Box in the Temple that Solomon built. Solomon was David's son. David was king of Israel. Don't carry the Holy Box from place to place on your shoulders again. Now serve the Lord your God and his people, the Israelites.
George Lamsa Translation
And he said to the Levites who dwelt in all Israel. Sanctify yourselves to the LORD, and put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; for you have no longer to carry it upon your shoulders; serve now the LORD your God and his people Israel,
Good News Translation
He also gave these instructions to the Levites, the teachers of Israel, who were dedicated to the Lord : "Put the sacred Covenant Box in the Temple that King Solomon, the son of David, built. You are no longer to carry it from place to place, but you are to serve the Lord your God and his people Israel.
Lexham English Bible
And he said to the Levites who were teaching all Israel, who were sanctified to Yahweh, "Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. There is no need to carry it on your shoulders. Now serve Yahweh your God and his people Israel.
Literal Translation
and said to the Levites who were teaching all Israel, who were sanctified to Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David the king of Israel built; it shall not be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve Jehovahyour God, and His people Israel,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and sayde vnto the Leuites that taughte in all Israel, and were sanctified vnto ye LORDE: Put the holy Arke in the house that Salomon ye sonne of Dauid kynge of Israel dyd buylde. Ye shal beare it nomore vpon youre shulders. Se that ye serue now the LORDE youre God, and his people of Israel,
American Standard Version
And he said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, that were holy unto Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden upon your shoulders. Now serve Jehovah your God, and his people Israel;
Bible in Basic English
And he said to the Levites, the teachers of all Israel, who were holy to the Lord, See, the holy ark is in the house which Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, made; it will no longer have to be transported on your backs: now be the servants of the Lord your God and his people Israel,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And sayd vnto the Leuites that taught all Israel, and were sanctified vnto the Lorde: Put the holy arke in the house whiche Solomon the sonne of Dauid king of Israel dyd buylde, it shalbe no more a burden vpon your shoulders: But now serue the Lord your God, and his people Israel:
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And he said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, that were holy unto the LORD: 'Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden upon your shoulders; now serve the LORD your God, and His people Israel.
King James Version (1611)
And said vnto the Leuites, that taught all Israel, which were holy vnto the Lord, Put the holy Arke in the house, which Solomon the sonne of Dauid king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden vpon your shoulders: serue now the Lord your God, and his people Israel.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he told the Levites that were able to act in all Israel, that they should consecrate themselves to the Lord: and they put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built: and the king said, Ye must not carry anything on your shoulders: now then minister to the Lord your God, and to his people Israel.
English Revised Version
And he 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; there shall no more be a burden upon your shoulders: now serve the LORD your God, and his people Israel.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he spak to the dekenes, at whos techyng al Israel was halewid to the Lord, Sette ye the arke in the seyntuarie of the temple, which Salomon, kyng of Israel, the sone of Dauid, bildide; for ye schulen no more bere it. But now serue `youre Lord God and his puple Israel,
Update Bible Version
And he said to the Levites that taught all Israel, that were holy to Yahweh, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; there shall no more be a burden on your shoulders: now serve Yahweh your God, and his people Israel.
Webster's Bible Translation
And said to the Levites that taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; [it shall] not [be] a burden upon [your] shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
New King James Version
Then he said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to the LORD: "Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.
New Living Translation
He issued this order to the Levites, who were to teach all Israel and who had been set apart to serve the Lord : "Put the holy Ark in the Temple that was built by Solomon son of David, the king of Israel. You no longer need to carry it back and forth on your shoulders. Now spend your time serving the Lord your God and his people Israel.
New Life Bible
And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the Lord, "Put the holy box of the agreement in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. You do not need to carry it on your shoulders any longer. Now work for the Lord your God and His people Israel.
New Revised Standard
He said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the Lord , "Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David, king of Israel, built; you need no longer carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
and said to the Levites who gave instruction to all Israel as to the things which were hallowed unto Yahweh, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon son of David king of Israel did build, it is not yours as a burden on the shoulder, - Now, serve ye Yahweh your God, and his people Israel;
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he spoke to the Levites, by whose instruction all Israel was sanctified to the Lord, saying: Put the ark in the sanctuary of the temple, which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built: for you shall carry it no more: but minister now to the Lord your God, and to his people Israel.
Revised Standard Version
And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the LORD, "Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built; you need no longer carry it upon your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel.
Young's Literal Translation
and saith to the Levites -- who are teaching all Israel -- who are sanctified to Jehovah, `Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David king of Israel built; it is not to you a burden on the shoulder. `Now, serve Jehovah your God, and His people Israel,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
He also said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the LORD, "Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built; it will be a burden on your shoulders no longer. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.

Contextual Overview

1 Josiah commanded that Passover be celebrated in Jerusalem to honor the Lord . So, on the fourteenth day of the first month, the lambs were killed for the Passover celebration. 2 On that day, Josiah made sure the priests knew what duties they were to do in the temple. 3 He called together the Levites who served the Lord and who taught the people his laws, and he said: No longer will you have to carry the sacred chest from place to place. It will stay in the temple built by King Solomon son of David, where you will serve the Lord and his people Israel. 4 Get ready to do the work that David and Solomon assigned to you, according to your clans. 5 Divide yourselves into groups, then arrange yourselves throughout the temple so that each family of worshipers will be able to get help from one of you. 6 When the people bring you their Passover lamb, you must kill it and prepare it to be sacrificed to the Lord . Make sure the people celebrate according to the instructions that the Lord gave Moses, and don't do anything to make yourselves unclean and unacceptable. 7 Josiah donated thirty thousand sheep and goats, and three thousand bulls from his own flocks and herds for the people to offer as sacrifices. 8 Josiah's officials also voluntarily gave some of their animals to the people, the priests, and the Levites as sacrifices. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, who were the officials in charge of the temple, gave the priests twenty-six hundred sheep and lambs and three hundred bulls to sacrifice during the Passover celebration. 9 Conaniah, his two brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, as well as Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad were leaders of the Levites, and they gave the other Levites five thousand sheep and goats, and five hundred bulls to offer as sacrifices. 10 When everything was ready to celebrate Passover, the priests and the Levites stood where Josiah had told them.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the Levites: 2 Chronicles 17:8, 2 Chronicles 17:9, 2 Chronicles 30:22, Deuteronomy 33:10, Nehemiah 8:7, Nehemiah 8:8, Malachi 2:7

Put: 2 Chronicles 8:11, 2 Chronicles 34:14

in the house: 2 Chronicles 5:7

not be: Numbers 4:15-49, 1 Chronicles 23:26

serve now: Numbers 8:19, Numbers 16:9, Numbers 16:10, 2 Corinthians 4:5

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 23:22 - of the kings 1 Chronicles 15:2 - None ought to 1 Chronicles 23:28 - purifying 2 Chronicles 17:7 - to teach 2 Chronicles 30:17 - the Levites Nehemiah 8:9 - the Levites

Cross-References

Genesis 28:15
Wherever you go, I will watch over you, then later I will bring you back to this land. I won't leave you—I will do all I have promised.
Genesis 31:3
One day the Lord said, "Jacob, go back to your relatives in the land of your ancestors, and I will bless you."
Genesis 31:42
If the fearsome God worshiped by Abraham and my father Isaac had not been on my side, you would have sent me away without a thing. But God saw my hard work, and he knew the trouble I was in, so he helped me. Then last night he told you how wrong you were.
Genesis 32:7
Jacob was so frightened that he divided his people, sheep, cattle, and camels into two groups.
Genesis 32:24
Afterwards, Jacob went back and spent the rest of the night alone. A man came and fought with Jacob until just before daybreak.
Genesis 35:1
God told Jacob, "Return to Bethel, where I appeared to you when you were running from your brother Esau. Make your home there and build an altar for me."
Genesis 35:2
Jacob said to his family and to everyone else who was traveling with him: Get rid of your foreign gods! Then make yourselves acceptable to worship God and put on clean clothes.
Genesis 35:5
While Jacob and his family were traveling through Canaan, God terrified the people in the towns so much that no one dared bother them.
Genesis 35:12
I will give you the land that I promised Abraham and Isaac, and it will belong to your family forever.
Genesis 35:13
After God had gone,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel,.... Whose business it was to go through the several tribes, and instruct them in the knowledge of God, his word and worship, statutes and ordinances. In an ancient MS. mentioned by Junius, it is read, "who prepared for all Israel the holy things", c.

which were holy unto the Lord who were consecrated to the name of the Lord, as the Targum, dedicated to his worship and service; or it may signify the holy things they taught or prepared:

these put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; which some think was removed from thence by Amon, and an idol put in its room, which is the greater trespass he is said to be guilty of, 2 Chronicles 33:23 others, that it was privately removed by the high priest in idolatrous times, and laid up in some secret place for the preservation of it; but rather the truth is, that it had been removed by the order of Josiah, for the sake of the repairs of the most holy place; and this being done, he orders it to be replaced; and though the Levites might not go into the holy of holies, yet they could carry it to the entrance of the holy place, and the priests from thence to the door of the most holy place, where the high priest could receive it, and fix it in its proper place:

it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders; it was not now to be carried from place to place, having a fixed abode in the most holy place, and therefore they were at leisure to attend other service:

serve now the Lord your God, and his people Israel; by singing the praises of God, and slaying the passover lambs for the people.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Put the holy ark etc - The ark of the covenant may have been temporarily removed from the holy of holies while Josiah effected necessary repairs.

It shall not be a burden upon your shoulders - The removing and replacing the ark Josiah means “shall not henceforth be your duty. The ark shall remain undisturbed in the holy of holies. You shall return to your old employments, to the service of God and the instruction of the people.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Chronicles 35:3. Put the holy ark in the house — It is likely that the priests had secured this when they found that the idolatrous kings were determined to destroy every thing that might lead the people to the worship of the true God. And now, as all appears to be well established, the ark is ordered to be put into its own place.

For an ample account of this passover and the reformation that was then made, see on 2 Kings 23:1, &c., and the places marked in the margin.


 
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