1 Chronicles 6:48

Their brethren also the Levites [were] appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

Their brethren {H251} also the Levites {H3881} were appointed {H5414} unto all manner of service {H5656} of the tabernacle {H4908} of the house {H1004} of God {H430}.

Their kinsmen the L'vi'im were put in charge of all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

Their fellow Levites were assigned to every kind of service of the tabernacle, the house of God.

And their brethren the Levites were appointed for all the service of the tabernacle of the house of God.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:48 offers a concise statement regarding the duties of the Levites who were not of the priestly lineage (descendants of Aaron). It highlights their divinely appointed roles in the sacred service of God's dwelling place, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of their responsibilities.

Context

This verse is found within a lengthy genealogical section in 1 Chronicles, specifically detailing the lineage and roles of the Levites. The book of 1 Chronicles, written after the Babylonian exile, places a strong emphasis on the proper worship of God, the temple, and the ordained roles of the priests and Levites. While the earlier verses of chapter 6 focus on the priestly line of Aaron, verse 48 broadens the scope to include the rest of the Levites, underscoring that their service was equally vital to the functioning of Israelite worship. Their duties were distinct from the sacrificial duties of the priests but essential for the maintenance and operation of the sanctuary.

Key Themes

  • Divine Appointment and Order: The verse underscores that the Levites' roles were not self-assigned but "appointed" by God. This speaks to the meticulous divine ordering of worship and service in ancient Israel, where every function had its place and purpose. This structure ensured that the worship of God was carried out with dignity and precision, reflecting His holy character.
  • Comprehensive Service: The phrase "all manner of service" indicates the wide range of duties performed by the non-priestly Levites. These responsibilities included caring for the sanctuary's furnishings, transporting its components during journeys, maintaining the grounds, preparing elements for sacrifice, and later, serving as musicians, gatekeepers, and treasurers in the Temple. Their work was foundational to the priests' ability to perform their sacred rites.
  • Continuity of Worship: The mention of "the tabernacle of the house of God" bridges the portable sanctuary of the wilderness period with the more permanent structure of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Chronicler often emphasizes this continuity, showing that the principles and practices established under Moses for the tabernacle were carried forward and expanded in the Temple, known as the "house of God." The Levites' roles were crucial in both phases of Israel's worship life.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Levites" (Hebrew: Lĕwiyyim) refers to the descendants of Levi, one of Jacob's sons, who were set apart by God for sacred service to the sanctuary. Unlike the priests who were exclusively from the family of Aaron, the Levites encompassed a broader group with diverse responsibilities. The phrase "tabernacle of the house of God" (Hebrew: mishkan beth Elohim) is notable. While the "tabernacle" (mishkan) was the portable dwelling place, "house of God" (beth Elohim) often refers to the permanent Temple. The Chronicler uses this combined phrase to emphasize that the Levites' service, though initially tied to the mobile sanctuary, continued and evolved with the establishment of the permanent Temple, maintaining the same underlying purpose of serving God's dwelling place.

Practical Application

This verse offers valuable insights for believers today. Just as the ancient Levites were appointed to various forms of service, so too are believers in Christ called to serve God in diverse ways within the church, which is often seen as God's spiritual house (1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 3:6). Not everyone is called to be a visible leader or preacher, but every task, no matter how seemingly small, is vital for the proper functioning of God's work. Whether it's teaching, administration, hospitality, or maintenance, all service done for the Lord is valuable and contributes to the body of Christ. This echoes the broader biblical principle of working heartily as unto the Lord, recognizing that all our efforts can be an act of worship.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 18:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

  • Numbers 18:32 (2 votes)

    And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.

  • Numbers 16:9 (2 votes)

    [Seemeth it but] a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

  • Numbers 16:10 (2 votes)

    And he hath brought thee near [to him], and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?

  • Numbers 3:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ These also [are] the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day [that] the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.

  • Numbers 3:4 (2 votes)

    And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.

  • 1 Chronicles 25:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was: