What Does 1 Chronicles 23:31 Mean in the King James?

And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:

1 Chronicles 23:31 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The Hebrew names both the act and the burnt offering with the root for ascending, picturing ritual as a measured rising before the LORD.

THE MEANING

The verse holds offerings inside a named rhythm: sabbaths, new moons, and appointed feasts. Each offering has its number and order, and the recurring service remains continually before the LORD.

THE ROOT

עֹלוֹת

ʿolot

GROWS FROM

עלה

To go up, rise, ascend.

“burnt sacrifices” in this verse is ʿolot. Hebrew uses the same ⁨עלה⁩ root in “to offer” (⁨לְהַעֲלוֹת⁩, lehaʿalot) and “burnt offerings” (⁨עֹלוֹת⁩, ʿolot), joining the act of raising with what is raised. English separates the action from the offering, while Hebrew lets the shared root picture sacrifice as an ascent.

ALSO GROWS

ʿalah: To go up, rise, ascend.

עָלָה

This verb underlies “to offer,” so the action in the verse carries the sense of making an ascent.

ʿolah: A burnt offering; an ascending offering.

עֹלָה

The noun itself names the offering as something that rises.

maʿalah: An ascent, step, or degree.

מַעֲלָה

This branch keeps the root’s sense of upward movement visible in the verse’s image of rising.

מוֹעֲדִים

moʿadim

GROWS FROM

יעד

To appoint, designate, or set a time.

“set feasts” in this verse is moʿadim. The “set” feasts belong to a word-family of appointment: the time is marked out in advance. The offerings return at these appointed times, so the calendar itself becomes part of their ordered rhythm.

ALSO GROWS

moʿed: An appointed time or meeting.

מוֹעֵד

The plural in this verse names the recurring appointed times on which the offerings are made.

yaʿad: To appoint or designate.

יָעַד

This verb shows the setting of the feasts as a deliberate marking of time.

THE PATTERN

Offerings before God return through measured times, joining a fixed rhythm to continual presence.

Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

Exodus 29:38 · KJVA daily offering gives the same act a repeating rhythm, extending it beyond the named feasts.

This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

Numbers 28:10 · KJVThe Sabbath offering recurs alongside the continual one, holding a weekly return within an ongoing pattern.

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Hebrews 13:15 · KJVThe language of offering and continual presence carries into praise, where the offering is voiced in thanks.

THE THREAD

And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Genesis 8:20 · KJV

Genesis uses ⁨עֹלוֹת⁩ (ʿolot), from ⁨עלה⁩ (ʿalah, “to ascend”), the same word-family behind the offerings here. The first altar and these scheduled offerings share the image of sacrifice as ascent toward the LORD.

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