1 Chronicles 15:28

Authorized King James Version

Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
Thus all Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#3
מַֽעֲלִים֙
brought up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
אֲר֣וֹן
the ark
a box
#6
בְּרִית
of the covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#7
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
בִּתְרוּעָה֙
with shouting
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
#9
וּבְק֣וֹל
and with sound
a voice or sound
#10
שׁוֹפָ֔ר
of the cornet
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
#11
וּבַחֲצֹֽצְר֖וֹת
and with trumpets
a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)
#12
וּבִמְצִלְתָּ֑יִם
and with cymbals
(only dual) double tinklers, i.e., cymbals
#13
מַשְׁמִעִ֕ים
making a noise
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#14
בִּנְבָלִ֖ים
with psalteries
a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)
#15
וְכִנֹּרֽוֹת׃
and harps
a harp

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

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 covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show treaty language and adoption practices from the ancient world, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection