To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;

1 CHRONICLES 16:40KJV
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1 Chronicles 16:40 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 16:40 mean?

1 Chronicles 16:40 describes the regular offering of burnt sacrifices to the LORD on the altar, both morning and evening, exactly as written in the law given to Israel. This verse highlights the importance of following God’s instructions for worship and sacrifice as part of Israel’s daily life.

This verse comes as David is organizing worship after the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem. The priests are being assigned to make sure offerings are made at the right times, following everything written in the law (the Torah) that God commanded Israel. It shows the care taken to honor God’s commands in public worship.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 16:40

  • "Continually" (תָּמִיד, tamid): This word means something ongoing or regular, stressing that these offerings were not just occasional but a daily, unbroken practice.
  • "Law" (תּוֹרָה, torah): This refers to the instructions or teachings God gave to Israel, especially those found in the first five books of the Bible. The verse points to careful obedience to these specific commands.
  • "Commanded" (צָוָה, tsavah): This word emphasizes that these rituals were not human inventions but direct instructions from God to Israel.

Why 1 Chronicles 16:40 matters

  • This verse clarifies that worship in Israel was not left to personal preference but was guided by specific instructions from God, showing the seriousness of following God's word.
  • It connects the daily sacrifices to the broader story of Israel’s relationship with God, reminding readers that these rituals were part of a covenant and a way to maintain that relationship.
  • The verse highlights David’s role in restoring and organizing worship according to God’s law, setting an example for future generations about the importance of faithful, orderly worship.

Where else these words appear

“continually” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
  • Psalms 105:4 Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.

“evening” Hebrew H6153 · used in 130 verses

  • Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
  • Leviticus 15:18 The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • 1 Kings 10:15 Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.