What Does 1 Chronicles 28:13 Mean in the King James?

Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:13 · 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 verse puts people, labor, and even vessels under the same word for service, making the whole house part of one coordinated act of serving.

THE MEANING

Service appears here as a whole arrangement: people have assigned courses, work is named as service, and the vessels too are connected to that service. Sacred work reaches across roles, labor, and instruments, all belonging to the house of the LORD.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that sacred service belongs only to the visible officiant: the verse includes each course, the work, and the vessels within the service.

THE ROOT

עֲבוֹדָה

avodah

GROWS FROM

עבד

ʿ-b-d

to serve, labor, or work

English can make work and service sound like separate things, but both grow from ⁨עבד⁩ (avad, serve or work). The verse uses avodah for the service of the house and the vessels, gathering people’s labor and the tools of that labor under one shared purpose.

ALSO GROWS

avad: to serve, work, or labor

עָבַד

This verb shows that the service named here includes the work being done.

eved: servant

עֶבֶד

This word names a person through their relation to service, echoing the verse’s assigned roles.

מַחְלְקוֹת

maḥleqot

GROWS FROM

חלק

ḥ-l-q

to divide or apportion

The courses are portions of a larger arrangement: the work is divided so that service can be carried by distinct groups. English “courses” can hide that sense of apportioning, while the Hebrew word keeps the division audible.

ALSO GROWS

chalaq: to divide or apportion

חָלַק

This verb carries the action behind the ordered divisions of service.

cheleq: a portion or share

חֵלֶק

A course is one share in the larger work of service.

THE PATTERN

A shared purpose takes shape through distinct roles and the work and means entrusted to each.

And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

Exodus 35:21 · KJVThe work and its materials enter a shared service through the different contributions of the people.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

1 Corinthians 12:5 · KJVDifferent forms of service belong to one shared source and purpose.

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10 · KJVWhat each person receives becomes a distinct means of serving others.

THE THREAD

And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

Exodus 3:12 · KJV

The same root ⁨עבד⁩ (avad, serve) appears here as “serve.” In this verse it gathers the many courses, tasks, and vessels into one relation: serving God.

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