1 Chronicles 6:49
But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
Original Language Analysis
וּבָנָ֜יו
and his sons
H1121
וּבָנָ֜יו
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מַקְטִירִ֨ים
offered
H6999
מַקְטִירִ֨ים
offered
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
3 of 22
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָֽעוֹלָה֙
of the burnt offering
H5930
הָֽעוֹלָה֙
of the burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
6 of 22
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְכֹ֕ל
H3605
לְכֹ֕ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלֶ֖אכֶת
and were appointed for all the work
H4399
מְלֶ֖אכֶת
and were appointed for all the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
holy
H6944
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
12 of 22
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
holy
H6944
הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים
holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
13 of 22
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וּלְכַפֵּר֙
and to make an atonement
H3722
וּלְכַפֵּר֙
and to make an atonement
Strong's:
H3722
Word #:
14 of 22
to cover (specifically with bitumen)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
for Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
for Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
16 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כְּכֹל֙
H3605
כְּכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Leviticus 4:20And he shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering, so shall he do with this: and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.Job 33:24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.Exodus 29:33And they shall eat those things wherewith the atonement was made, to consecrate and to sanctify them: but a stranger shall not eat thereof, because they are holy.
Historical Context
Written after exile when the restored community faced questions about proper worship procedures, this verse reasserts Aaronic exclusivity in sacrificial duties. During the Second Temple period (515 BC-AD 70), Zadokite priests (descended from Aaron through Zadok) maintained these functions until Christ's death made the temple veil-tearing (Matthew 27:51) obsolete the old system. The Chronicler emphasizes Mosaic authorization to counter syncretistic worship proposals from neighboring peoples.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the two altars (burnt offering and incense) picture the twin aspects of Christian life: complete consecration and constant prayer?
- Since Christ fulfilled Aaron's priestly role definitively, how does Hebrews 10:19-22's invitation to boldly approach God transform your prayer life?
Analysis & Commentary
But Aaron and his sons (וְאַהֲרֹן וּבָנָיו)—this emphatic contrast distinguishes the exclusive priestly duties from broader Levitical service. Only Aaron's descendants could offered upon the altar of the burnt offering (עֹלָה olah, the sacrifice wholly consumed by fire) and the altar of incense (קְטֹרֶת qetoret, the fragrant smoke rising before the Holy of Holies). These two altars represented complete dedication to God (burnt offering) and intercessory prayer (incense).
Appointed for all the work of the place most holy (קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים qodesh haqodashim)—only Aaron's line could enter the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur. The phrase to make an atonement (לְכַפֵּר lechapper) uses the Hebrew root meaning 'to cover'—priestly ministry covered Israel's sin through blood sacrifice, prefiguring Christ who 'covers' definitively through His own blood (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 9:11-14).
According to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded—this appeal to Mosaic authority validates post-exilic priestly practice against Samaritan competing claims. The Aaronic priesthood derives authority not from human appointment but from divine command through Moses (Exodus 28-29; Leviticus 8-9). Christ's priesthood similarly rests on God's oath, not Levitical law (Hebrews 7:20-22).