1 chronicles 6:49 - But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.

Generated Verse: 1 chronicles 6:49

What does "1 chronicles 6:49" mean?


This verse (1 Chronicles 6:49) describes the priestly duties of Aaron and his sons, focusing on their role in offering sacrifices and making atonement for the people of Israel. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"But Aaron and his sons offered on the altar of burnt offering...": This refers to the primary function of the priests: sacrificing animals on the altar. The burnt offering was a common type of sacrifice in the Old Testament. It was a whole sacrifice completely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing dedication to God and seeking atonement for sins.
"...and on the altar of incense...": Aaron and his sons were also responsible for burning incense on a special altar within the Tabernacle/Temple. The smoke of the incense was seen as a sweet aroma pleasing to God and symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to Him.
"...for all the work of the most holy place...": This indicates that the priestly duties extended to all the rituals and responsibilities associated with the "most holy place" (also known as the Holy of Holies), the innermost sanctuary of the Tabernacle/Temple. This was the place where God's presence was uniquely manifested. While only the high priest entered this space, Aaron and his sons were responsible for the preparations and maintaining the purity required for its proper functioning.
"...and to make atonement for Israel...": The primary purpose of these sacrifices and rituals was to "make atonement" for the sins of the Israelites. Atonement involved covering or expiating sins, restoring the relationship between God and the people.
"...according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.": This emphasizes that the priests were carrying out their duties in strict accordance with the instructions that God had given to Moses. This highlights the importance of obedience to divine commands in the proper worship and atonement for sins.

In essence, this verse underscores the divinely appointed role of Aaron and his sons as priests, responsible for offering sacrifices, burning incense, maintaining the sanctity of the Tabernacle/Temple, and most importantly, performing the rituals that provided atonement for the sins of the Israelites. Their actions were crucial for maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel, and they did so according to the specific instructions given to Moses by God.