2 Chronicles 23:6
New International Version
No one is to enter the temple of the LORD except the priests and Levites on duty; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the others are to observe the LORD’s command not to enter.

New Living Translation
Remember, only the priests and Levites on duty may enter the Temple of the LORD, for they are set apart as holy. The rest of the people must obey the LORD’s instructions and stay outside.

English Standard Version
Let no one enter the house of the LORD except the priests and ministering Levites. They may enter, for they are holy, but all the people shall keep the charge of the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD.

King James Bible
But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.

New King James Version
But let no one come into the house of the LORD except the priests and those of the Levites who serve. They may go in, for they are holy; but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
But no one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and the ministering Levites; they may enter, for they are holy. And all the people are to keep the command of the LORD.

NASB 1995
“But let no one enter the house of the LORD except the priests and the ministering Levites; they may enter, for they are holy. And let all the people keep the charge of the LORD.

NASB 1977
“But let no one enter the house of the LORD except the priests and the ministering Levites; they may enter, for they are holy. And let all the people keep the charge of the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
But let no one enter the house of Yahweh except the priests and the ministering Levites; they may enter, for they are holy. And let all the people keep the charge of Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
But let no one enter the house (temple) of the LORD except the priests and the Levites who minister; they may enter, for they are holy. And let all the people carefully observe the law of the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
No one is to enter the LORD’s temple but the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are holy, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No one is to enter the LORD’s temple but the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are holy, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD.

American Standard Version
But let none come into the house of Jehovah, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the charge of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Only the priests and Levites who are on duty will be able to enter the temple, because they will be the only ones who have gone through the ceremony to make themselves clean and acceptable. The others must stay outside in the courtyards, just as the LORD has commanded.

English Revised Version
But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No one should come into the LORD's temple except the priests and the Levites who are on duty with them. They may enter because they are holy, but all other people should follow the LORD's regulations.

Good News Translation
No one is to enter the Temple buildings except the priests and the Levites who are on duty. They may enter, because they are consecrated, but the rest of the people must obey the LORD's instructions and stay outside.

International Standard Version
Nobody is to enter the LORD's Temple except for the priests and descendants of Levi who are on duty. They may enter because they are ceremonially holy, but all the rest of the people must observe the LORD's instructions.

Majority Standard Bible
No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD.

NET Bible
No one must enter the LORD's temple except the priests and Levites who are on duty. They may enter because they are ceremonially pure. All the others should carry out their assigned service to the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
But let no one come into the house of the LORD, except the priests, and those who minister of the Levites. They shall come in, for they are holy, but all the people shall follow the LORD's instructions.

Webster's Bible Translation
But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.

World English Bible
But let no one come into Yahweh’s house except the priests and those who minister of the Levites. They shall come in, for they are holy, but all the people shall follow Yahweh’s instructions.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And none enter the house of YHWH except the priests, and those ministering of the Levites (they go in for they [are] holy), and all the people keep the watch of YHWH;

Young's Literal Translation
And none doth enter the house of Jehovah except the priests, and those ministering of the Levites (they go in for they are holy), and all the people keep the watch of Jehovah:

Smith's Literal Translation
And they shall not come into the house of Jehovah except the priests and those serving to the Levites; they shall come in for they are holy: and all the people shall watch the watches of Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And let no one come into the house of the Lord, but the priests, and they that minister of the Levites: let them only come in, because they are sanctified : and let all the rest of the people keep the watches of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let no one else enter into the house of the Lord, except the priests, and those from the Levites who are ministering. These alone may enter, for they have been sanctified. And let all the remainder of the common people observe the watches of the Lord.

New American Bible
Let no one enter the LORD’s house except the priests and those Levites who are ministering. They may enter because they are holy; but all the other people must observe the prescriptions of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not let anyone enter the house of the LORD except the priests and ministering Levites; they may enter, for they are holy, but all the other people shall observe the instructions of the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But let no one enter the house of the LORD except the priests and the Levites; they shall enter, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep watch over the house of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there shall not be a man entering the house of LORD JEHOVAH but the Priests and the Levites; those shall enter, because they are hallowed, and all the people keep guard of the house of LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall come in, for they are holy; but all the people shall keep the charge of the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And let not any one enter into the house of the Lord, except the priests and the Levites, and the servants of the Levites; they shall enter in, because they are holy: and let all the people keep the watch of the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joash Anointed King in Judah
5a third shall be at the royal palace, and a third at the Foundation Gate, while all the others are in the courtyards of the house of the LORD. 6No one is to enter the house of the LORD except the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD. 7The Levites must surround the king with weapons in hand, and anyone who enters the temple must be put to death. You must stay close to the king wherever he goes.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 6:12-13
“As for this temple you are building, if you walk in My statutes, carry out My ordinances, and keep all My commandments by walking in them, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father David. / And I will dwell among the Israelites and will not abandon My people Israel.”

1 Kings 8:10-11
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 8:29
May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.

1 Kings 8:35-36
When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them, / then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.

1 Kings 8:41-43
And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— / for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.

1 Kings 8:48-49
and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause.

2 Chronicles 5:13-14
The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 6:20
May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your Name, so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.

2 Chronicles 6:32-33
And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your great name and Your mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.

2 Chronicles 6:38-39
and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and pleas, and may You uphold their cause. May You forgive Your people who sinned against You.

2 Chronicles 7:15-16
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. / For I have now chosen and consecrated this temple so that My Name may be there forever. My eyes and My heart will be there for all time.

Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? / He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

Psalm 27:4
One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

Psalm 65:4
Blessed is the one You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts! We are filled with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple.

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”


Treasury of Scripture

But let none come into the house of the LORD, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the LORD.

they that minister

2 Kings 11:6,7
And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down…

1 Chronicles 23:28-32
Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God; …

Jump to Previous
Charge Consecrated Duty Enter Except Holy House Instruction Levites Minister Ministering Orders Priests Rest Save Temple Watch
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Charge Consecrated Duty Enter Except Holy House Instruction Levites Minister Ministering Orders Priests Rest Save Temple Watch
2 Chronicles 23
1. Jehoiada, having set things in order, makes joash king
12. Athaliah is slain
16. Jehoiada restores the worship of God














No one is to enter the house of the LORD
This phrase underscores the sanctity and exclusivity of the temple, the dwelling place of God among His people. The Hebrew word for "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) often signifies not just a physical structure but a place of divine presence. Historically, the temple was central to Israelite worship, symbolizing God's covenant and holiness. The restriction emphasizes the need for reverence and purity when approaching God, reflecting the broader biblical theme that access to God is not casual but requires preparation and sanctification.

except the priests and those Levites who serve
The priests and Levites held unique roles within the Israelite community, as they were set apart for temple service. The Hebrew term for "priests" (כֹּהֲנִים, kohanim) and "Levites" (לְוִיִּם, levi'im) indicates their hereditary roles from the tribe of Levi, specifically chosen by God for sacred duties. This distinction highlights the importance of divine calling and order within worship, reminding believers of the New Testament teaching that all Christians are a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), called to serve God with dedication.

they may enter because they are consecrated
Consecration (קָדַשׁ, qadash) involves being set apart for a holy purpose. The Levites and priests underwent specific rituals to be deemed holy, symbolizing purity and dedication to God. This concept of consecration is foundational in Scripture, pointing to the necessity of holiness in approaching God. For Christians, it serves as a reminder of the call to live a life set apart, reflecting God's holiness in a world that often disregards sacredness.

but all the people are to obey the requirement of the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the collective responsibility of the community to adhere to God's commands. The Hebrew word for "obey" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just hearing but active listening and compliance. The "requirement of the LORD" (מִצְוַת יְהוָה, mitzvat YHWH) refers to God's laws and decrees, which were given for the well-being and order of His people. This call to obedience is a recurring biblical theme, underscoring the importance of aligning one's life with God's will, which is seen as the path to blessing and fulfillment.

(6) But let none come into the house of the Lord.--This verse is not read in Kings. Apparently it is merely an emphatic repetition of the direction of the last verse that all the people were to remain in the courts, and not to break the law by presuming to enter the holy chambers. In 2Kings 11:7 we read instead: "And the two parts among you, all that go out on the Sabbath, they shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord, with regard to the king." The last words of the present verse, "And all the people shall keep the watch of the Lord" repeat a portion of this, but in a different sense: "Let all the people carefully observe the legal rule against entering the sanctuary."

Verse 6. - But let none come... save the priests. Through this little chink we get some light confirmatory of the concurrent jurisdiction of the account in the parallel The express caution of this clause shows that there were others about, and others officiating, beside the Levites, who only have been mentioned hitherto in our text, except under the most generic designation (as before, so again in last clause of this verse) of "all the people." The last clause of this verse may cover the contents of ver. 7 in the parallel. The distinction between "the courts of the house of the Lord" (ver. 5), and "the house of the Lord" (ver. 6) is, of course, quite apparent.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
No
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

one is to enter
יָב֣וֹא (yā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the house
בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

except
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the priests
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

and those Levites
לַלְוִיִּ֔ם (lal·wî·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

who serve;
וְהַמְשָׁרְתִ֣ים (wə·ham·šā·rə·ṯîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to

they
הֵ֥מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

may enter
יָבֹ֖אוּ (yā·ḇō·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

because
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they
הֵ֑מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are consecrated,
קֹ֣דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

but all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

are to obey
יִשְׁמְר֖וּ (yiš·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the requirement
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת (miš·me·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function

of the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 23:6 But let none come into the house (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 23:5
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