And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,

2 CHRONICLES 35:2KJV
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2 Chronicles 35:2 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 35:2 mean?

2 Chronicles 35:2 describes how King Josiah organized the priests, assigning them to their specific duties and encouraging them to carry out their work in the temple of the LORD. The verse highlights Josiah’s leadership in making sure the religious service was orderly and that the priests were motivated in their responsibilities.

In this scene, King Josiah is preparing for the celebration of the Passover in Jerusalem. He is speaking to the priests, who are responsible for the rituals and sacrifices in the temple. The verse shows Josiah’s care for proper worship and his support for the priests, making sure everything was done according to tradition and with enthusiasm.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 35:2

  • "Set" (עָמַד, ʿamad) means to stand or appoint. Here, it shows Josiah actively placing the priests in their assigned roles, not leaving their duties to chance.
  • "Charges" (מִשְׁמֶרֶת, mishmeret) refers to duties or responsibilities. This word emphasizes that the priests had specific, organized tasks to fulfill, not just general service.
  • "Encouraged" (חָזַק, chazaq) means to strengthen or make firm. Josiah did not just assign tasks; he also motivated and supported the priests, helping them feel confident in their service.
  • "Service" (עֲבֹדָה, avodah) is the word for work or service, especially in a religious sense. It points to the sacred nature of what the priests were doing in the temple.

Why 2 Chronicles 35:2 matters

  • This verse shows that Josiah was not only a reformer but also a hands-on leader who cared about the details of worship and the morale of those serving.
  • The verse clarifies that temple service was highly organized, with clear roles and encouragement, not left to personal preference or chance.
  • By emphasizing both order and encouragement, the verse highlights a balance between structure and support in spiritual leadership, which sets the tone for the rest of the Passover celebration in this chapter.

Where else these words appear

“charges” 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 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

“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.