1 Chronicles 15:27

Authorized King James Version

And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
דָּוִ֖יד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#2
מְכֻרְבָּ֣ל׀
was clothed
to gird or clothe
#3
בִּמְעִ֣יל
with a robe
a robe (i.e., upper and outer garment)
#4
בּ֗וּץ
of fine linen
probably cotton (of some sort)
#5
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
הַלְוִיִּם֙
and all the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#7
הַנֹּֽשְׂאִ֣ים
that bare
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
הָֽאָר֔וֹן
the ark
a box
#10
הַמְשֹֽׁרְרִ֑ים
and the singers
to sing
#11
וּכְנַנְיָ֛ה
and Chenaniah
kenanjah, an israelite
#12
הַשַּׂ֥ר
the master
a head person (of any rank or class)
#13
הַמַּשָּׂ֖א
of the song
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
#14
הַמְשֹֽׁרְרִ֑ים
and the singers
to sing
#15
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#16
דָּוִ֖יד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#17
אֵפ֥וֹד
also had upon him an ephod
a girdle; specifically the ephod or highpriest's shoulder-piece; also generally, an image
#18
בָּֽד׃
of linen
flaxen thread or yarn; hence, a linen garment

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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