2 Chronicles 23:18

Authorized King James Version

Also Jehoiada appointed the offices of the house of the LORD by the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּשֶׂם֩

H7760

appointed

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

יְהֽוֹיָדָ֨ע

H3077

Also Jehoiada

jehojada, the name of three israelites

פְּקֻדּ֜וֹת

H6486

the offices

visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

in the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יְדֵ֥י

H3027

as it was ordained by

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים

H3548

of the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַלְוִיִּם֮

H3881

the Levites

a levite or descendant of levi

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#10

חָלַ֣ק

H2505

had distributed

to be smooth (figuratively)

#11

דָוִֽיד׃

H1732

David

david, the youngest son of jesse

#12

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#13

בֵּ֣ית

H1004

in the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#14

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#15

לְֽהַעֲל֞וֹת

H5927

to offer

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#16

עֹל֣וֹת

H5930

the burnt offerings

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

#17

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#18

כַּכָּת֛וּב

H3789

as it is written

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

#19

בְּתוֹרַ֥ת

H8451

in the law

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

#20

מֹשֶׁ֖ה

H4872

of Moses

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

#21

בְּשִׂמְחָ֣ה

H8057

with rejoicing

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

#22

וּבְשִׁ֑יר

H7892

and with singing

a song; abstractly, singing

#23

עַ֖ל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#24

יְדֵ֥י

H3027

as it was ordained by

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#25

דָוִֽיד׃

H1732

David

david, the youngest son of jesse

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Chronicles.

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 salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Chronicles Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within 2 Chronicles chapter 23 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?