And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

1 CHRONICLES 23:32KJV
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1 Chronicles 23:32 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 23:32 mean?

1 Chronicles 23:32 describes the Levites’ assigned work at the place where Israel gathered to worship the LORD. They were responsible for caring for the sacred spaces and assisting Aaron’s descendants, the priests, in the work of the LORD’s house.

The verse closes a list of duties given to the Levites. Its three repeated references to a “charge” connect their care for the place of worship with their responsibilities toward the priests.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 23:32

  • “charge” — מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmeret): This word can mean an assigned responsibility or duty. Its repetition links three areas of work: the meeting place, the holy place, and the priests.
  • “congregation” — מוֹעֵד (moʿed): This word can refer to an appointed time or meeting. The phrase “tabernacle of the congregation” refers to the tent of meeting, the place associated with Israel’s gathering before the LORD.

Why 1 Chronicles 23:32 matters

  • The Levites’ work included helping the priests, not only caring for a building. The “sons of Aaron their brethren” were fellow Israelites with whom the Levites served.
  • The verse brings the earlier tent of meeting and the LORD’s house into the same description of service. In the surrounding passage, David arranges the Levites’ work for the house that his son Solomon will build (1 Chronicles 22:6; 23:26–28).

Where else these words appear

“charge” Hebrew H4931 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
  • Numbers 8:26 But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.
  • 1 Chronicles 26:12 Among these were the divisions of the porters, even among the chief men, having wards one against another, to minister in the house of the LORD.

“service” Hebrew H5656 · used in 125 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Numbers 4:30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:24 These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward.