1 Chronicles 6:32

Authorized King James Version

And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּֽהְי֨וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
מְשָֽׁרְתִ֜ים
And they ministered
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
#3
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
#4
מִשְׁכַּ֤ן
the dwelling
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
#5
אֹֽהֶל
place of the tabernacle
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
#6
מוֹעֵד֙
of the congregation
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
#7
בַּשִּׁ֔יר
with singing
a song; abstractly, singing
#8
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#9
בְּנ֧וֹת
had built
to build (literally and figuratively)
#10
שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה
until Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#11
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
בֵּ֥ית
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#13
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
in Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#15
וַיַּֽעַמְד֥וּ
and then they waited
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
#16
כְמִשְׁפָּטָ֖ם
according to their order
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
עֲבֽוֹדָתָֽם׃
on their office
work of any kind

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