1 Chronicles 16:37

Authorized King James Version

So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽעֲזָב
So he left
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
#2
שָׁ֗ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#3
לִפְנֵ֧י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#4
הָֽאָר֛וֹן
the ark
a box
#5
בְּרִית
of the covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#6
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
לְאָסָ֖ף
Asaph
asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first
#8
וּלְאֶחָ֑יו
and his brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#9
לְשָׁרֵ֞ת
to minister
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
#10
לִפְנֵ֧י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#11
הָֽאָר֛וֹן
the ark
a box
#12
תָּמִ֖יד
continually
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
#13
לִדְבַר
work
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#14
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃
as every day's
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#15
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃
as every day's
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of covenant within the theological tradition of 1 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection