1 Chronicles 15:12

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
H559
And said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לָהֶ֔ם
H0
#3
אַתֶּ֛ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#4
רָאשֵׁ֥י
H7218
unto them Ye are the chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#5
הָֽאָב֖וֹת
H1
of the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#6
לַלְוִיִּ֑ם
H3881
of the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#7
הִֽתְקַדְּשׁוּ֙
H6942
sanctify
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#8
אַתֶּ֣ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#9
וַֽאֲחֵיכֶ֔ם
H251
yourselves both ye and your brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#10
וְהַֽעֲלִיתֶ֗ם
H5927
that ye may bring up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#11
אֵ֣ת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
אֲר֤וֹן
H727
the ark
a box
#13
יְהוָה֙
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
H430
God
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
#15
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#16
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
הֲכִינ֖וֹתִי
H3559
unto the place that I have prepared
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
#18
לֽוֹ׃
H0

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 1 Chronicles.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection