Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

2 CHRONICLES 5:12KJV
Know the Bible

2 Chronicles 5:12 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 5:12 mean?

2 Chronicles 5:12 describes how the Levite singers and musicians, all from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, gathered at the east side of the altar dressed in white linen, playing cymbals, psalteries, and harps, while 120 priests joined them, blowing trumpets. This verse sets the scene for a grand moment of worship as the temple is being dedicated.

The setting is the dedication of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, with the Levites (the tribe assigned to temple service) leading music and worship. The verse highlights the organization, unity, and ceremonial purity of those involved, showing the importance placed on music, ritual, and the role of the priests and Levites in Israel’s worship life.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 5:12

  • לְוִיִּיּם (Leviyyim, "Levites"): This word refers to members of the tribe of Levi, who were set apart for duties in the temple. Their presence here emphasizes the special role of the Levites in leading worship.
  • מְשֹׁרְרִים (meshorerim, "singers"): This term points to those specifically tasked with singing in worship, showing that music was an organized and essential part of temple service.
  • חַלִּילִים (chalilim, "cymbals"), נֶבֶל (nevel, "psalteries"), כִּנּוֹר (kinnor, "harps"): These words name specific musical instruments, underlining the rich musical tradition in Israel’s worship and the variety of instruments used.
  • לָבֵשׁ (lavesh, "arrayed"): This word means to be clothed or dressed, and here it notes that the Levites wore white linen, a symbol of purity and dedication for temple service.

Why 2 Chronicles 5:12 matters

  • This verse shows the careful preparation and reverence involved in worship at the temple, emphasizing that worship was not casual but involved order, purity, and participation from many people.
  • By naming the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, the verse connects the music ministry to well-known leaders, highlighting the continuity and tradition in Israel’s worship life.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic moment when God’s presence fills the temple, showing that music and unified worship play a key role in this significant event in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“sounding” Hebrew H2690 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
  • 2 Chronicles 13:14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.

“linen” Hebrew H948 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,
  • 2 Chronicles 2:14 The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
  • Esther 1:6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

“cymbals” Hebrew H4700 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
  • 2 Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

“Jeduthun” Hebrew H3038 · used in 14 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:16 And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:1 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:
  • 2 Chronicles 35:15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.