1 Chronicles 23:29

KJV

Both for the shewbread, and for the fine flour for meat offering, and for the unleavened cakes, and for [that which is baked in] the pan, and for that which is fried, and for all manner of measure and size;

KJV (with Strong's)

Both for the shewbread {H3899}{H4635}, and for the fine flour {H5560} for meat offering {H4503}, and for the unleavened {H4682} cakes {H7550}, and for that which is baked in the pan {H4227}, and for that which is fried {H7246}, and for all manner of measure {H4884} and size {H4060};

Complete Jewish Bible

They were to assist with the showbread and the finely ground flour needed for grain offerings, no matter whether of matzah, pan-baked bread or mixed with oil, and no matter what shape or size.

Berean Standard Bible

as well as for the rows of the showbread, the fine flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baking, the mixing, and all measurements of quantity and size.

American Standard Version

for the showbread also, and for the fine flour for a meal-offering, whether of unleavened wafers, or of that which is baked in the pan, or of that which is soaked, and for all manner of measure and size;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 23:29 meticulously outlines a subset of the Levites' responsibilities, detailing their crucial role in the preparation and oversight of various sacred offerings and the meticulous maintenance of standards within the sanctuary. This verse highlights their involvement with the shewbread, grain offerings in various forms, and the precise measurement of all items used in the tabernacle and future temple service, underscoring King David's commitment to establishing an orderly, reverent, and divinely prescribed system of worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within King David's comprehensive organization of the Levites for service in the future Temple, a monumental undertaking described in 1 Chronicles 23-26. Having brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem and envisioned a permanent dwelling for God, David, though not permitted to build the Temple himself, meticulously prepared for its operations. Chapters 23 and 24 specifically detail the division of the Levites into courses and their assigned duties, shifting their primary role from transporting the Tabernacle during Israel's nomadic period (as seen in [Numbers 4](/numbers/4 "Numbers 4 - Duties of the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites")) to the more settled, daily functions of the sanctuary. Verse 29, therefore, is a specific enumeration of these evolving, crucial responsibilities related to the sacred provisions and their precise handling.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of David's reign marked a significant transition for Israel, moving from a tribal confederacy to a unified monarchy with Jerusalem as its spiritual and political center. The establishment of a permanent Temple would centralize worship, replacing the mobile Tabernacle. In ancient Israelite culture, worship was highly ritualized, with offerings and sacrifices forming the core of their communion with God. The Levites, consecrated for sacred service, were indispensable for mediating these rituals. Their duties, as specified here, reflect the deep cultural understanding that divine worship demanded utmost purity, precision, and adherence to God's detailed instructions, as laid out in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 1-7](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")). This meticulousness was not mere bureaucracy but an expression of reverence for a holy God.
* **Key Themes:** The detailed nature of the Levites' duties in this verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Order and Organization in Worship**. David's meticulous planning ensures that the complex system of offerings and temple duties would be carried out systematically and reverently, reflecting God's desire for all things to be done "decently and in order" (as later echoed in [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Order in Worship")). Secondly, it highlights **Dedicated Service and Stewardship**. The Levites were consecrated to God for specific, demanding tasks, embodying a principle of wholehearted dedication. They were stewards of sacred provisions and instruments, ensuring their proper use and preparation for God's glory, a concept of faithful stewardship that resonates throughout Scripture (e.g., [Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents")). Finally, the emphasis on specific items and "all manner of measure and size" reinforces the theme of **Holiness and Precision**. These offerings were holy to the Lord, and their preparation required utmost care and adherence to divine specifications, underscoring the absolute purity required in approaching a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shewbread (Hebrew, _lechem panim'_):** Literally "bread of presence" or "bread of the face." This refers to the twelve loaves of unleavened bread placed on the table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later the Temple (see [Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5 "Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Bread of the Presence")). Each loaf represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing their perpetual presence before God. The Levites were responsible for its weekly replacement, ensuring the continuity of this sacred representation.
* **Meat Offering (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** In the King James Version, "meat offering" often translates to a "grain offering" or "tribute offering." Unlike animal sacrifices, the _minchah_ was a bloodless offering, typically made of fine flour, often mixed with oil and frankincense, and could be baked or unbaked (see [Leviticus 2:1-16](/leviticus/2-1 "Leviticus 2:1-16 - The Grain Offering")). It was an offering of devotion, thanksgiving, or a pledge, and the Levites' role ensured its proper preparation and presentation according to divine statutes.
* **All manner of measure and size (Hebrew, _kol midda v'masheqala'_):** This phrase emphasizes the Levites' comprehensive responsibility for quality control and standardization. It indicates that they were to ensure all quantities used in offerings (e.g., flour, oil, wine) and all dimensions of sacred items or vessels were precisely according to the prescribed standards. This prevented any deviation, defilement, or casualness in the sacred rituals, highlighting the divine demand for absolute accuracy and adherence to God's revealed will in worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Both for the shewbread":** This clause indicates the Levites' specific duty concerning the "bread of presence," which was a constant feature in the Holy Place. Their role would have involved not only the preparation of the bread itself but also its placement on the golden table and its regular replacement, ensuring this vital symbol of Israel's covenant relationship with God was always maintained.
* **"and for the fine flour for meat offering":** This refers to their responsibility for the primary ingredient of the grain offerings. The use of "fine flour" (Hebrew: _solet_) implies a high standard of purity and quality, underscoring that only the best was acceptable for offerings to the Lord. The Levites would oversee the procurement, storage, and distribution of this essential component.
* **"and for the unleavened cakes, and for [that which is baked in] the pan, and for that which is fried":** These phrases specify various forms of grain offerings, demonstrating the meticulous detail required. "Unleavened cakes" (Hebrew: _matzot_) were crucial for many offerings due to the prohibition of leaven, symbolizing purity. "Baked in the pan" (Hebrew: _ma'akhelet_) and "fried" (Hebrew: _marcheshet_) refer to specific methods of preparation for grain offerings, each with its own ritual significance, all under the Levites' careful supervision.
* **"and for all manner of measure and size":** This concluding phrase broadens the scope of their responsibility beyond just the food items. It signifies their oversight of all quantitative aspects of temple service—ensuring correct weights, volumes, and dimensions for all offerings, liquids, and perhaps even the construction or maintenance of sacred vessels. This mandate ensured integrity, consistency, and fidelity to divine specifications in every facet of sanctuary operations.

#### Literary Devices
1 Chronicles 23:29 primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Emphasis through Detail**. The verse lists specific items and activities related to the Levites' duties (shewbread, fine flour, unleavened cakes, baked in the pan, fried, measure and size). This cataloging serves to highlight the comprehensive and specialized nature of their roles, demonstrating the meticulous planning undertaken by David for the Temple service. By detailing these seemingly mundane tasks, the text uses **Emphasis through Detail** to underscore the profound importance of precision, order, and holiness in all aspects of worship. Every item, every measurement, and every preparation was significant because it was dedicated to the Lord. Furthermore, the items themselves, such as the **Symbolism** of the shewbread and the various grain offerings, point to deeper theological truths about God's provision, the people's sustenance, and the need for a pure and acceptable offering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The detailed responsibilities assigned to the Levites in 1 Chronicles 23:29 reveal profound theological truths about God's character and the nature of true worship. The divine insistence on precision, purity, and order in the preparation of offerings underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for reverence in approaching Him. It teaches that worship is not a casual affair but a sacred privilege requiring our utmost care and dedication. This meticulousness also served as a constant reminder to Israel of God's perfect standards and the seriousness of their covenant relationship. While the specific rituals of the Old Covenant have been fulfilled in Christ, the underlying principles of excellence, faithful stewardship, and attention to detail in our service to God remain timeless and universally applicable for believers today.

* [Exodus 25:23-30](/exodus/25-23 "Exodus 25:23-30 - Instructions for the Table of Shewbread")
* [Numbers 3:5-10](/numbers/3-5 "Numbers 3:5-10 - The Levites Set Apart for Service")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Levites' duties in 1 Chronicles 23:29, though ancient and tied to a specific covenant, offer profound lessons for contemporary believers. Their meticulous attention to detail in preparing offerings and ensuring precise measurements serves as a powerful reminder that our service to God, in all its forms, should be characterized by excellence, diligence, and intentionality. Whether in our spiritual disciplines, our contributions to the church community, or our daily vocations, we are called to be faithful stewards of the gifts and opportunities God has given us. This verse challenges us to consider if we approach our "worship" – broadly understood as our entire life lived for God's glory – with the same reverence and commitment to quality that was demanded of the Levites. It encourages us to recognize that even seemingly small details in our obedience and service can reflect our profound love and respect for a holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Levites' meticulous attention to detail challenge my own approach to service, both within the church and in my daily life?**
* **In what areas of my spiritual walk or practical responsibilities might God be calling me to demonstrate greater precision, diligence, or excellence?**
* **Considering the Levites' stewardship of sacred provisions, how can I better steward the time, talents, and resources God has entrusted to me for His glory?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the "shewbread" and why were the Levites responsible for it?**

Answer: The "shewbread," or "bread of presence" ([Leviticus 24:5-9](/leviticus/24-5 "Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Bread of the Presence")), consisted of twelve loaves of unleavened bread placed on a special table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and Temple. It symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel perpetually present before God, and God's continuous provision for His people. The Levites were responsible for its preparation, placement, and weekly replacement because they were consecrated to God for the sacred duties of the sanctuary, ensuring that all elements of worship were maintained according to divine command and with the utmost reverence.

**Why was such an emphasis placed on "all manner of measure and size" for the Levites' duties?**

Answer: The emphasis on "all manner of measure and size" highlights the critical importance of precision and adherence to divine standards in Israelite worship. God is a God of order and holiness, and His instructions for the Tabernacle and its services were exact. Any deviation could be seen as a lack of reverence or a defilement of sacred things. This meticulous attention to detail ensured the purity and acceptability of the offerings, reflecting the perfect nature of the God being worshipped. It also prevented human error or negligence from compromising the integrity of the sacred rituals.

**Do these specific duties of the Levites apply to Christians today?**

Answer: While Christians today do not literally prepare shewbread or grain offerings, the underlying principles of the Levites' duties remain highly relevant. The New Covenant has fulfilled the need for these Old Testament rituals through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ ([Hebrews 10:1-10](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1-10 - The Insufficiency of Old Covenant Sacrifices")). However, the principles of order, excellence, faithful stewardship, and meticulous attention to detail in service to God are timeless. We are called to offer "spiritual sacrifices" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Spiritual House and Holy Priesthood")) and to do "everything... in a fitting and orderly way" ([1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Order in Worship")) in our worship, our ministries, and our daily lives, reflecting the holiness and perfection of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous duties of the Levites in 1 Chronicles 23:29, overseeing the preparation of shewbread, grain offerings, and ensuring precise measures, find their ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The shewbread, symbolizing God's presence and provision for His people, points directly to Jesus as the true [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), who came down from heaven to give life to the world. He is the ultimate sustenance for our souls, making perpetual communion with God possible. The various grain offerings, presented with fine flour and without blemish, foreshadow the perfect, unblemished sacrifice of Christ, who offered Himself once for all as the ultimate offering for sin ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). The Levites' diligent service and adherence to precise measures prefigure Christ's own perfect obedience and faithfulness in fulfilling every detail of God's will ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He is the true and greater High Priest, who, unlike the Levitical priests, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, thereby establishing a new and living way to God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")). In Christ, the shadow of these Old Testament rituals gives way to the substance, as He perfectly embodies and fulfills all that was required for our reconciliation and access to a holy God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 19:35

Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

Leviticus 19:36

Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 6:20

This [is] the offering of Aaron and of his sons, which they shall offer unto the LORD in the day when he is anointed; the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half of it in the morning, and half thereof at night.

Leviticus 6:23

For every meat offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.

Leviticus 24:5

And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.

Leviticus 24:9

And it shall be Aaron's and his sons'; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it [is] most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

Leviticus 2:4

And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, [it shall be] unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.