Ezra 6:18 They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.

◄ Ezra 6:18 ►

New International Version
And they installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God at Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.

New Living Translation
Then the priests and Levites were divided into their various divisions to serve at the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as prescribed in the Book of Moses.

English Standard Version
And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

Berean Standard Bible
They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.

King James Bible
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

New King James Version
They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

New American Standard Bible
Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their sections for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

NASB 1995
Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

NASB 1977
Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they appointed the priests to their sections and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

Amplified Bible
Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

Christian Standard Bible
They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the book of Moses.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the book of Moses.

American Standard Version
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

Contemporary English Version
Then the priests and Levites were assigned their duties in God's temple in Jerusalem, according to the instructions Moses had written.

English Revised Version
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The priests were assigned to their divisions and the Levites to their groups [to lead] the worship of God in Jerusalem by following the directions written in the Book of Moses.

Good News Translation
They also organized the priests and the Levites for the Temple services in Jerusalem, according to the instructions contained in the book of Moses.

International Standard Version
Furthermore, they established the priests in their divisions and the descendants of Levi in their positions for the service of God conducted at Jerusalem, as is proscribed in the Book of Moses.

Majority Standard Bible
They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.

NET Bible
They appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their divisions over the worship of God at Jerusalem, in accord with the book of Moses.

New Heart English Bible
They set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, who is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

World English Bible
They set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and they have established the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, over the service of God that [is] in Jerusalem, as it is written in the scroll of Moses.

Young's Literal Translation
and they have established the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, over the service of God that is in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they set up the priests in their division, and the Levites in their classes, for the work of God which is in Jerusalem; according to the writing of the book of Moses.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses over the works of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they appointed the priests into their divisions, and the Levites into their turns, over the works of God in Jerusalem, just as it was written in the book of Moses.

New American Bible
Finally, they set up the priests in their classes and the Levites in their divisions for the service of God in Jerusalem, as is prescribed in the book of Moses.

New Revised Standard Version
Then they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they set the priests in their ministrations and the Levites in their ministrations over the service of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. as it is written in the book of the law of Moses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they appointed the Priests in their service and the Levites in their service over the work of the house of God which is in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Law of Moshe.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their separate orders, for the services of God in Jerusalem, according to the writing of the book of Moses.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Feast of Dedication
…17For the dedication of the house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and a sin offering for all Israel of twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel. 18They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Chronicles 24:1-19
These were the divisions of the descendants of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. / But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. / With the help of Eleazar’s descendant Zadok and Ithamar’s descendant Ahimelech, David divided them according to the offices of their service. ...

2 Chronicles 8:14
In keeping with the ordinances of his father David, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests over their service, and the Levites for their duties to offer praise and to minister before the priests according to the daily requirement. He also appointed gatekeepers by their divisions at each gate, for this had been the command of David, the man of God.

Nehemiah 12:1-26
Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, / Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, / Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, ...

1 Chronicles 23:6
Then David divided the Levites into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari.

1 Chronicles 25:1-31
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...

2 Chronicles 31:2
Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.

1 Chronicles 9:10-13
From the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, and Jachin; / Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of God’s temple; / Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; Maasai son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer; ...

1 Chronicles 26:12-19
These divisions of the gatekeepers, through their chief men, had duties for ministering in the house of the LORD, just as their relatives did. / They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike. / The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then lots were cast for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and the lot for the North Gate fell to him. ...

2 Chronicles 35:4-5
Prepare yourselves by families in your divisions, according to the instructions written by David king of Israel and Solomon his son. / Moreover, stand in the Holy Place by the divisions of the families of your kinsmen the lay people, and by the divisions of the families of the Levites.

Nehemiah 11:10-12
From the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib; Jachin; / Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of the house of God; / and their associates who did the work at the temple—822 men; Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah;

1 Chronicles 6:31-32
These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. / They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.

1 Chronicles 15:16-24
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. / So the Levites appointed Heman son of Joel; from his brothers, Asaph son of Berechiah; from their brothers the Merarites, Ethan son of Kushaiah; / and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. ...

1 Chronicles 16:4-6
David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. / Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals / and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

1 Chronicles 28:13
for the divisions of the priests and Levites, for all the work of service in the house of the LORD, and for all the articles of service in the house of the LORD:

1 Chronicles 23:4
“Of these,” said David, “24,000 are to oversee the work of the house of the LORD, 6,000 are to be officers and judges,

Treasury of Scripture

And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.

the priests

1 Chronicles 23:1-26:32
So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel…

2 Chronicles 35:4,5
And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son…

as it is written.

Numbers 3:6
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

Numbers 8:9
And thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation: and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together:

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Ezra 6

1. Darius, finding the decree of Cyrus, makes a new decree for building
13. By the help of Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai the temple is finished
16. The feast of the dedication is kept
19. and the Passover

Berean Study Bible

They also appointed
The act of appointing here signifies a deliberate and divinely guided organization of religious leadership. The Hebrew root for "appointed" is "עָמַד" (amad), which means to stand or to set in place. This reflects the importance of establishing order and structure in worship, ensuring that those who serve are chosen with purpose and divine guidance. It underscores the necessity of leadership in spiritual matters, emphasizing that God is a God of order, not chaos.

the priests by their divisions
The priests were descendants of Aaron, and their division into groups or courses was a practice that dates back to King David, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 24. This division ensured that the duties of the temple were carried out efficiently and that each priest had a specific role. The Hebrew word for "divisions" is "מַחְלָקָה" (machlaka), which implies a portion or a section. This organization highlights the importance of community and shared responsibility in worship, reflecting the body of Christ where each member has a unique role.

and the Levites by their groups
The Levites, distinct from the priests, were responsible for various supportive roles in the temple, including music, gatekeeping, and assisting the priests. The Hebrew term for "groups" is "כָּתוּב" (katub), meaning written or inscribed, indicating that their roles were well-documented and established. This structure ensured that worship was conducted in a manner that honored God, with each person fulfilling their God-given role, much like the diverse gifts within the church today.

to serve at Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of God, was the center of Jewish worship and the location of the temple. The phrase "to serve" comes from the Hebrew "עָבַד" (avad), meaning to work or to worship. This service was not just a duty but an act of worship, a reminder that all work done for the Lord is sacred. Serving in Jerusalem symbolized serving in the presence of God, a privilege and a responsibility for the priests and Levites.

according to what is written in the Book of Moses
This phrase emphasizes adherence to the Law of Moses, which was the foundation of Jewish religious practice. The "Book of Moses" refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, which contain the laws and commandments given by God. The Hebrew word for "written" is "כָּתוּב" (katub), indicating that these instructions were not arbitrary but divinely inspired and recorded. This adherence to Scripture underscores the importance of grounding worship and service in the Word of God, a principle that remains vital for the church today.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(18) In the book of Moses.--The general arrangements only were given in the Pentateuch. The "courses" were of David's time; and their restoration must have been imperfect, as neither were the twenty-four courses of priests complete nor were the Levites in full force.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 18. - They set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses. The completion of the new temple was naturally followed by an arrangement of the ministers corresponding to that which had been originally made by David, and afterwards adopted by Solomon, for the service of the old temple (see 1 Chronicles 23:6-23; 1 Chronicles 24:1-19). This arrangement was based upon the ordinances of the law with respect to the respective offices of the two orders, as given in the Book of Numbers (Numbers 3:6-10; Numbers 8:6-26), and, so far, was according to the writing of the book of Moses. But the "courses" themselves were not established till David's time. CELEBRATION OF THE PASSOVER IN THE ENSUING MONTH, AND OBSERVANCE OF THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (Ezra 6:19-22). Specially solemn passovers were celebrated on specially solemn occasions; and these received special record at the hands of the sacred writers. Of this kind are the passover celebrated By Hezekiah in the year B.C. 726, recorded in 2 Chronicles 30, and that celebrated by Josiah in B.C. 624, recorded in 2 Chronicles 35. Both of these followed upon a cleansing of the temple, and restoration of the temple worship after a period of suspension. Ezra seems to place the passover of B.C. 516 in the same category. It marked the period of the full re-establishment of the regular ordinances of religion, more or less interrupted from the time of the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. It terminated the abnormal and commenced the normal condition of things. Perhaps it is to mark this, that Ezra at this point disuses the Chaldee dialect, which he had introduced in ch. 4:8, and returns to the Hebrew, the established language of the Jewish religion.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

They also appointed
וַהֲקִ֨ימוּ (wa·hă·qî·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6966: To arise, stand

the priests
כָהֲנַיָּ֜א (ḵā·hă·nay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 3549: Priest

by their divisions
בִּפְלֻגָּתְה֗וֹן (bip̄·lug·gā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6392: A division

and the Levites
וְלֵוָיֵא֙ (wə·lê·wā·yê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3879: Levites -- descendants of Levi

by their groups
בְּמַחְלְקָ֣תְה֔וֹן (bə·maḥ·lə·qā·ṯə·hō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4255: Class, division

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against

the service
עֲבִידַ֥ת (‘ă·ḇî·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5673: Labor, business

of God
אֱלָהָ֖א (’ĕ·lā·hā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 426: God

in Jerusalem,
בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם (ḇî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel

according to what is written
כִּכְתָ֖ב (kiḵ·ṯāḇ)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3792: Something written, a writing, record, book

in the book
סְפַ֥ר (sə·p̄ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5609: A book

of Moses.
מֹשֶֽׁה׃ (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4873: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

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OT History: Ezra 6:18 They set the priests in their divisions (Ezr. Ez)