2 Chronicles 35:5

KJV

And stand in the holy [place] according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and [after] the division of the families of the Levites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And stand in {H5975} the holy {H6944} place according to the divisions {H6391} of the families {H1004} of the fathers {H1} of your brethren {H251} the people {H1121}{H5971}, and after the division {H2515} of the families {H1}{H1004} of the Levites {H3881}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Stand in the Holy Place according to the divisions of the clans of your kinsmen the ordinary people, with part of a clan of L'vi'im serving each clan [of Isra'el].

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, stand in the Holy Place by the divisions of the families of your kinsmen the lay people, and by the divisions of the families of the Levites.

American Standard Version

And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of your brethren the children of the people, and let there be for each a portion of a father’s house of the Levites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 35:5 captures a precise instruction from King Josiah to the Levites, detailing their required positioning within the Temple precincts for the grand Passover celebration. This directive underscores the meticulous order and ancestral divisions by which the Levites were to perform their sacred duties, ensuring that their service facilitated the worship of the entire Israelite community and adhered strictly to the rediscovered divine Law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of King Josiah's magnificent Passover, described as the greatest since the days of Samuel ([2 Chronicles 35:18](/2-chronicles/35-18 "2 Chronicles 35:18 - Josiah's Unprecedented Passover")). It immediately follows Josiah's instructions for the Levites to prepare themselves and the Temple for the celebration, emphasizing their crucial role in handling the sacrifices and assisting the people. The verse sets the stage for the detailed account of the Passover preparations and execution, highlighting the meticulous organization required for such a large-scale, divinely mandated event. It is a specific command that flows directly from Josiah's overarching commitment to restoring pure worship after the discovery of the Book of the Law ([2 Chronicles 34:15](/2-chronicles/34-15 "2 Chronicles 34:15 - Discovery of the Book of the Law")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Josiah reigned in Judah from 640-609 BC, a period marked by his zealous reforms following decades of idolatry under his predecessors, Manasseh and Amon. The Passover was one of Israel's most significant annual feasts, commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Levites, as a tribe, were divinely appointed to serve in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, responsible for maintaining the sanctuary, assisting the priests, teaching the Law, and facilitating sacrifices. Their duties were highly organized into hereditary "divisions" or "courses," a system largely established by King David ([1 Chronicles 23:6](/1-chronicles/23-6 "1 Chronicles 23:6 - David Organizes the Levites")). The "holy [place]" refers to the various sacred areas within the Temple complex, particularly the outer courts where the Levites performed their duties, distinct from the inner sanctuary or Most Holy Place.
* **Key Themes:** The instruction in 2 Chronicles 35:5 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the books of Chronicles and Josiah's reign. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Order and Structure in Worship**, emphasizing that God desires worship to be conducted with precision and intentionality, not chaos. The detailed "divisions of the families" underscore this divine principle. Secondly, it highlights the **Levitical Service and Responsibility**, showcasing their indispensable role as dedicated facilitators of worship, standing as intermediaries between God and the people. Their positioning was critical for the proper execution of the sacrificial system. Thirdly, the verse is an embodiment of **Obedience to God's Law**, as Josiah's entire reform movement, including this specific directive, was a direct response to the rediscovered divine commands. Finally, it subtly points to **Community Participation in Worship**, as the Levites' structured service was designed to enable and support the worship of "your brethren the people," ensuring that the entire Israelite community could properly engage in the Passover.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **holy [place] (Hebrew, _qodesh'_):** This term refers to the sacred precincts of the Temple in Jerusalem. While the KJV adds "[place]," the Hebrew word _qodesh_ itself denotes sanctity or holiness. In this context, it specifies the areas within the Temple courts where the Levites were authorized and required to perform their duties, distinct from the Most Holy Place (which only the High Priest could enter) or the altar of burnt offering (where priests ministered). The Levites' "standing" in this holy place signifies their active, consecrated presence in the service of God.
* **divisions (Hebrew, מַחְלְקוֹת, _maḥlĕqôṯ'_):** This plural noun signifies "courses," "divisions," "classes," or "groups." It refers to the highly organized, hereditary system by which the Levites were categorized and rotated for Temple service. King David had previously established these twenty-four courses, ensuring a continuous and efficient performance of the complex sacrificial and liturgical duties throughout the year. Josiah's instruction here reaffirms and meticulously implements this ancient, divinely ordained structure, ensuring that each Levitical family knew its specific role and location.
* **families (Hebrew, בֵּית־אָב, _bêt-ʾāv'_):** Literally "house of a father," this phrase denotes ancestral lineages or clans. The repetition of "families" in relation to both "the fathers of your brethren the people" and "the Levites" emphasizes the deep-rooted, hereditary nature of Israelite society and, specifically, the structured organization of the Levites. It highlights that both the lay people and the Levites were organized by their ancestral lines, and the Levites' service was to be aligned with these established family groupings for optimal facilitation of worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And stand in the holy [place]":** This is a direct command from King Josiah to the Levites, instructing them to take their designated positions within the sacred areas of the Temple complex. Their "standing" implies readiness, attentiveness, and active participation in their assigned duties, which were crucial for the proper conduct of the Passover sacrifices.
* **"according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people":** This clause specifies the first criterion for the Levites' positioning. Their arrangement was not arbitrary but was to be in alignment with the family divisions of the ordinary Israelites. This suggests that the Levites were to strategically position themselves to best serve and assist the lay people as they brought their sacrifices and participated in the Passover, ensuring an orderly and accessible worship experience for the entire community.
* **"and [after] the division of the families of the Levites.":** This second criterion clarifies that the Levites' positioning was also dictated by their own internal, hereditary, and pre-established Levitical courses or divisions. This refers to the system of twenty-four courses established by David, where specific Levitical families were assigned particular duties and times of service. Thus, their placement was a dual alignment: both externally, to serve the people, and internally, according to their own divinely ordained and ancestral roles.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to underscore its message. **Repetition** of the phrase "divisions of the families" (or similar structures) for both the people and the Levites serves to emphasize the pervasive and foundational nature of this organizational principle in Israelite society and worship. There is an implicit **Parallelism** between the structured nature of the people's families and the structured nature of the Levites' service, highlighting how the latter was designed to accommodate and facilitate the former. The overall tone conveys a strong **Emphasis** on order, precision, and adherence to established protocols in the performance of sacred duties. This meticulousness reflects the Chronicler's broader theological interest in the proper worship of God and the importance of following divine commands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse offers profound theological insights into the nature of worship and service. It demonstrates that God is a God of order, not confusion, and that intentional structure in sacred service is not merely bureaucratic but divinely sanctioned and beneficial for fostering genuine worship. The Levites' role as facilitators underscores the biblical principle that some are called to serve in ways that enable others to draw near to God. Their precise positioning, dictated by both the needs of the people and their own ancestral callings, speaks to the importance of discerning and faithfully fulfilling one's specific role within the community of faith. This Old Testament instruction foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on the diverse yet interconnected functions within the body of Christ, all working together for the common good and the glory of God.

* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1-corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")
* [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Bold Access to God through Christ")
* [Romans 12:4-8](/romans/12-4-8 "Romans 12:4-8 - Diverse Gifts for Unified Service")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific Temple rituals and Levitical divisions are no longer practiced today, the underlying principles of 2 Chronicles 35:5 remain profoundly relevant for contemporary believers and the church. This verse calls us to consider the importance of order, intentionality, and dedicated service in our corporate worship and individual ministries. Just as the Levites were strategically positioned to facilitate the people's access to God through sacrifice, so too are we called to use our gifts and positions to help others encounter Christ and grow in their faith. Every role, no matter how seemingly small, contributes to the overall health and effectiveness of the body of Christ. We are encouraged to embrace our unique "divisions" or callings, serving with diligence and humility, always with the aim of drawing others closer to the Lord and ensuring that our collective worship is honoring to Him. Our service should be both internally consistent with our gifts and externally oriented to meet the needs of those we serve.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does intentional order in worship environments, whether in church services or personal devotional practices, help or hinder our connection with God?**
* **In what ways can we, like the Levites, facilitate others' spiritual journeys and access to God through our service and gifts?**
* **What specific "divisions" or roles has God prepared for you within the body of Christ, and how are you faithfully fulfilling them to serve others?**

### FAQ
**What does "the holy [place]" refer to in this context?**
Answer: In 2 Chronicles 35:5, "the holy [place]" refers to the sacred precincts and courts of the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the designated area where the Levites performed their various duties, such as preparing sacrifices, assisting the priests, and maintaining the sanctuary. It is distinct from the Most Holy Place, which only the High Priest could enter on the Day of Atonement, and also from the altar of burnt offering, which was the domain of the priests. The Levites' positioning in these holy areas underscored the sacred nature of their service.

**Why was it so important for the Levites to be organized by "divisions of the families"?**
Answer: The organization of the Levites by "divisions of the families" was crucial for several reasons. This system, largely established by King David (e.g., [1 Chronicles 23](/1-chronicles/23 "1 Chronicles 23 - David Organizes the Levites")), ensured continuity, efficiency, and proper performance of the complex and extensive Temple services. By dividing the Levites into hereditary courses, it guaranteed that trained personnel were always available for specific tasks, from music to gatekeeping to preparing sacrifices. This structured approach prevented chaos, maintained order, and ensured that all necessary duties were covered systematically, allowing the entire community to participate in worship effectively.

**How does this verse relate to King Josiah's broader reforms?**
Answer: This verse is a direct and vital component of King Josiah's sweeping religious reforms. After the discovery of the Book of the Law ([2 Chronicles 34:15](/2-chronicles/34-15 "2 Chronicles 34:15 - Discovery of the Book of the Law")), Josiah embarked on a zealous campaign to purge idolatry and restore pure worship in Judah according to God's commands. The meticulous organization of the Levites for the Passover, as described in 2 Chronicles 35:5, was a critical step in re-establishing the divinely prescribed Temple service. It reflects Josiah's deep commitment to obedience, ensuring that every aspect of worship, down to the precise positioning of the Levites, adhered to the rediscovered divine instructions, leading to a profound national revival.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 35:5 details the meticulous order of Levitical service in the Old Covenant Temple, it ultimately points forward to the perfect and ultimate High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. The Levites stood in the "holy place" to facilitate access to God through animal sacrifices, acting as necessary intermediaries due to humanity's sin. However, this system was a shadow of the reality to come. Jesus, as the true and eternal High Priest, entered the true "holy place"—heaven itself—not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own precious blood, securing an eternal redemption ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). His once-for-all sacrifice abolished the need for continuous Levitical service and animal offerings, providing direct and unhindered access to God for all believers ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Bold Access to God through Christ")). Jesus is the ultimate "division" or way by which humanity can approach the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), fulfilling and transcending the temporary, earthly order established for the Levites. Through Him, we are all made priests in a spiritual sense, able to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service to God ([1 Peter 2:9](/1-peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), no longer needing an earthly mediator to stand between us and the divine.

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

Psalms 134:1

¶ A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all [ye] servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

Psalms 135:2

Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God,

Ezra 6:18

And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which [is] at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.