1 Chronicles 23:13

Authorized King James Version

The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister unto him, and to bless in his name for ever.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבָנָיו֙
The sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
עַמְרָ֖ם
of Amram
amram, the name of two israelites
#3
אַֽהֲרֹ֡ן
Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#4
וּמֹשֶׁ֑ה
and Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#5
וַיִּבָּדֵ֣ל
was separated
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
#6
אַֽהֲרֹ֡ן
Aaron
aharon, the brother of moses
#7
לְֽהַקְדִּישׁוֹ֩
that he should sanctify
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#8
קָֽדָשִׁ֤ים
holy things
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#9
קָֽדָשִׁ֤ים
holy things
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
#10
הֽוּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#11
וּבָנָיו֙
The sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#12
עַד
for
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#13
עוֹלָֽם׃
ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
#14
לְהַקְטִיר֩
to burn incense
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
#15
לִפְנֵ֨י
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
#16
יְהוָ֧ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
לְשָֽׁרְת֛וֹ
to minister
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
#18
וּלְבָרֵ֥ךְ
unto him and to bless
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#19
בִּשְׁמ֖וֹ
in his name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#20
עַד
for
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#21
עוֹלָֽם׃
ever
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

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 sovereignty 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