This verse from 1 Chronicles 23:31 describes a key responsibility of the Levites during David's reign, specifically their role in the temple worship. Let's break it down:
"and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh": The burnt offering was a type of sacrifice where an animal was completely burned on the altar as a form of atonement and worship to God (Yahweh). It symbolized complete dedication and surrender to God.
"on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts": This specifies the times when these burnt offerings were to be made.
Sabbaths: Weekly day of rest and worship (Saturday).
New Moons: The beginning of each month in the Hebrew calendar, a time of celebration and worship.
Set Feasts: These refer to the annual festivals established by God in the Law of Moses, such as Passover, Feast of Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost), Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), etc. These were significant occasions for worship and remembering God's acts of deliverance and provision.
"in number according to the ordinance concerning them": The quantity of burnt offerings required for each of these occasions was not arbitrary. It was specified in the Law of Moses (particularly in the book of Numbers) and the Levites were responsible for ensuring the correct number of offerings were made.
"continually before Yahweh": This emphasizes the ongoing and consistent nature of this service. It wasn't a one-time thing, but a regular part of the temple worship, a continual act of devotion to God. The offerings were made in the designated place of worship, which was considered to be "before" God's presence.
In summary, this verse means that the Levites were assigned the duty of providing the necessary burnt offerings to God at specific times (Sabbaths, New Moons, and annual feasts) according to the exact number prescribed by God in the Law of Moses. This was to be done regularly and consistently as a central part of the worship offered in the temple.
This verse from 1 Chronicles 23:31 describes a key responsibility of the Levites during David's reign, specifically their role in the temple worship. Let's break it down:
"and to offer all burnt offerings to Yahweh": The burnt offering was a type of sacrifice where an animal was completely burned on the altar as a form of atonement and worship to God (Yahweh). It symbolized complete dedication and surrender to God.
"on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts": This specifies the times when these burnt offerings were to be made.
Sabbaths: Weekly day of rest and worship (Saturday).
New Moons: The beginning of each month in the Hebrew calendar, a time of celebration and worship.
Set Feasts: These refer to the annual festivals established by God in the Law of Moses, such as Passover, Feast of Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost), Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), etc. These were significant occasions for worship and remembering God's acts of deliverance and provision.
"in number according to the ordinance concerning them": The quantity of burnt offerings required for each of these occasions was not arbitrary. It was specified in the Law of Moses (particularly in the book of Numbers) and the Levites were responsible for ensuring the correct number of offerings were made.
"continually before Yahweh": This emphasizes the ongoing and consistent nature of this service. It wasn't a one-time thing, but a regular part of the temple worship, a continual act of devotion to God. The offerings were made in the designated place of worship, which was considered to be "before" God's presence.
In summary, this verse means that the Levites were assigned the duty of providing the necessary burnt offerings to God at specific times (Sabbaths, New Moons, and annual feasts) according to the exact number prescribed by God in the Law of Moses. This was to be done regularly and consistently as a central part of the worship offered in the temple.