1 esdras 1:3 - And he spoke to the Levites, the temple-servants of Israel, that they should hallow themselves to the Lord, to set the holy ark of the Lord in the house that King Solomon the son of David had built:

Generated Verse: 1 esdras 1:3

What does "1 esdras 1:3" mean?


This verse from 1 Esdras 1:3 (also known as Ezra 3:3 in the Hebrew Bible) describes a command given to the Levites regarding the Ark of the Covenant. Let's break down the meaning:

"And he spoke to the Levites, the temple-servants of Israel...": This identifies the audience of the command. The Levites were a specific tribe within Israel responsible for religious duties, including serving in the temple. They weren't just any Israelites; they had a specific role.

"...that they should hallow themselves to the Lord...": "Hallow" means to sanctify, consecrate, or make holy. This is a crucial element of approaching something sacred. The Levites were being told to purify themselves ritually and spiritually to be fit to handle and move the Ark.

"...to set the holy ark of the Lord in the house...": The "holy ark of the Lord" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments. It was the most important religious artifact for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence. The Levites were responsible for placing it.

"...that King Solomon the son of David had built:": This clarifies the location where the Ark was to be placed: the Temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem. This Temple was the designated permanent home for the Ark, replacing its previous mobile dwelling in the Tabernacle.

In summary, the verse means that a command was given to the Levites to purify themselves ritually so that they could properly and respectfully place the Ark of the Covenant back into the Temple that Solomon had built.

Significance:

This verse highlights a key moment in the restoration of worship in Jerusalem after a period of disruption or exile. The act of placing the Ark back in the Temple signifies a return to proper religious order and a re-establishment of the relationship between God and the people of Israel. It emphasizes the importance of ritual purity and reverence when dealing with holy objects and sacred spaces.

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