Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 5:11
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place]: (for all the priests [that were] present were sanctified, [and] did not [then] wait by course:
11 14 (= 1Ki 8:10-11). The Descent of the Glory of the Lord
11. out of the holy place] The priests could remain neither in the Holy of Holies where they had deposited the ark, nor even in the holy place, but were driven altogether out of the Temple building into the Temple court (cp. 2Ch 5:14).
and did not then wait by course ] R.V. and did not keep their courses. Cp. 1Ch 24:1-19.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 11. When the priests were come out] After having carried the ark into the holy of holies, before the sacred service had commenced.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
According to Davids appointment, 1Ch 24; 1Ch 25, which was only for the ordinary service; but in extraordinary solemnities, such as this eminently was they all came together.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. all the priests that werepresent . . . did not then wait by courseThe rotation systemof weekly service introduced by David was intended for the ordinaryduties of the priesthood; on extraordinary occasions, or when morethan wonted solemnity attached to them, the priests attended in abody.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[See comments on 2Ch 5:1].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2Ch 5:11-13 describe the part which the priests and Levitical singers and musicians took in the solemn act of transferring the ark to the temple-a matter entirely passed over in the narrative in 1Ki 8:11, which confines itself to the main transaction. The mention of the priests gives occasion for the remark, 2Ch 5:11, “for all the priests present had sanctified themselves, but the courses were not to be observed,” i.e., the courses of the priests (1 Chron 24) could not be observed. The festival was so great, that not merely the course appointed to perform the service of that week, but also all the courses had sanctified themselves and co-operated in the celebration. In reference to the construction , cf. Ew. 321, b.
2Ch 5:12 All the Levitic singers and musicians were also engaged in it, to make the festival glorious by song and instrumental music: “and the Levites, the singers, all of them, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, and their sons and brethren, clad in byssus, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, stood eastward from the altar, and with them priests to 120, blowing trumpets.” The before and the following noun is the introductory : “as regards.” On the form , see on 1Ch 15:24; on these singers and musicians, their clothing, and their instruments, see on 1Ch 15:17-28 and 2Ch 25:1-8.
2Ch 5:13 2Ch 5:13 runs thus literally: “And it came to pass, as one, regarding the trumpeters and the singers, that they sang with one voice to praise and thank Jahve.” The meaning is: and the trumpeters and singers, together as one man, sang with one voice to praise. is placed first for emphasis; stress is laid upon the subject, the trumpeters and singers, by the introductory ; and is construed with the following infinitive ( ): it was to sound, to cause to hear, for they were causing to hear, where c. infin. is connected with , as the participle is elsewhere, to describe the circumstances; cf. Ew. 237. But in order to express very strongly the idea of the unisono of the trumpet-sound, and the singing accompanied by the harp-playing, which lies in , is added to . By all that was to be said of the song and music is drawn together in the form of a protasis, to which is joined , the apodosis both of this latter and also of the protasis which was interrupted by the parenthesis in 2Ch 5:11: “When the priests went forth from the holy place, for…(2Ch 5:11), and when they lifted up the voice with trumpets and with cymbals, and the (other) instruments of song, and with the praise of Jahve, that He is good, that His mercy endureth for ever (cf. 1Ch 16:34), then was the house filled with the cloud of the house of Jahve.” The absence of the article before requires us thus to connect the at the close of the verse with ( stat. constr.), since the indefinite (without the article) is not at all suitable here; for it is not any cloud which is here spoken of, but that which overshadowed the glory of the Lord in the most holy place.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| The Temple Filled with Glory. | B. C. 1004. |
11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: 12 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:) 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 music, 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; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.
Solomon, and the elders of Israel, had done what they could to grace the solemnity of the introduction of the ark; but God, by testifying his acceptance of what they did, put the greatest honour upon it. The cloud of glory that filled the house beautified it more than all the gold with which it was overlaid or the precious stones with which it was garnished; and yet that was no glory in comparison with the glory of the gospel dispensation, 2 Cor. iii. 8-10. Observe,
I. How God took possession of the temple: He filled it with a cloud, v. 13. 1. Thus he signified his acceptance of this temple to be the same to him that the tabernacle of Moses was, and assured them that he would be the same in it; for it was by a cloud that he made his public entry into that, Exod. xl. 34. 2. Thus he considered the weakness and infirmity of those to whom he manifested himself, who could not bear the dazzling lustre of the divine light: it would have overpowered them; he therefore spread his cloud upon it, Job xxvi. 9. Christ revealed things unto his disciples as they were able to bear them, and in parables, which wrapped up divine things as in a cloud. 3. Thus he would affect all that worshipped in his courts with holy reverence and fear. Christ’s disciples were afraid when they entered into a cloud, Luke ix. 34. 4. Thus he would intimate the darkness of that dispensation, by reason of which they could not stedfastly look to the end of those things which were now abolished, 2 Cor. iii. 13.
II. When he took possession of it. 1. When the priests had come out of the holy place, v. 11. This is the way of giving possession. All must come out, that the rightful owner may come in. Would we have God dwell in our hearts? We must leave room for him; let every thing else give way. We are here told that upon this occasion the whole family of the priests attended, and not any one particular course: All the priests that were present were sanctified (v. 11), because there was work enough for them all, when such a multitude of sacrifices were to be offered, and because it was fit that they should all be eye-witnesses of this solemnity and receive the impressions of it. 2. When the singers and musicians praised God, then the house was filled with a cloud. This is very observable; it was not when they offered sacrifices, but when they sang the praises of God, that God gave them this token of his favour; for the sacrifice of praise pleaseth the Lord better than that of an ox or bullock, Ps. lxix. 31. All the singers and musicians were employed, those of all the three families; and, to complete the concert, 120 priests, with their trumpets, joined with them, all standing at the east end of the altar, on that side of the court which lay outmost towards the people, v. 12. And, when this part of the service began, the glory of God appeared. Observe, (1.) It was when they were unanimous, when they were as one, to make one sound. The Holy God descended on the apostles when they met with one accord, Acts ii. 1-4. Where unity is the Lord commands the blessing. (2.) It was when they were lively and hearty, and lifted up their voice to praise the Lord. Then we serve God acceptably when we are fervent in spirit serving him. (3.) It was when they were, in their praises, celebrating the everlasting mercy and goodness of God. As there is one saying oftener repeated in scripture than this, his mercy endureth for ever (twenty-six times in one psalm, Ps. cxxxvi., and often elsewhere), so there is none more signally owned from heaven; for it was not the expression of some rapturous flights that the priests were singing when the glory of God appeared, but this plain song, He is good, and his mercy endureth for ever. God’s goodness is his glory, and he is pleased when we give him the glory of it.
III. What was the effect of it. The priests themselves could not stand to minister, by reason of the cloud (v. 14), which, as it was an evidence that the law made men priests that had infirmity, so (as bishop Patrick observes) it was a plain intimation that the Levitical priesthood should cease, and stand no longer to minister, when the Messiah should come, in whom the fulness of the godhead should dwell bodily. In him the glory of God dwelt among us, but covered with a cloud. The Word was made flesh; and when he comes to his temple, like a refiner’s fire, who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth?Mal 3:1; Mal 3:2.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
(11) For all the priests.From this point to for his mercy endureth for ever, 2Ch. 5:13, the narrative is peculiar to the chronicler. He has characteristically inserted between the two halves of the short verse (1Ki. 8:10) a long parenthesis, dwelling upon the Levitical ministrations.
That were present.That could be found. So Vulg. (Comp. 2Ki. 19:4.)
Were sanctified.Had sanctified (or purified) themselves, for the purpose of taking part in the ceremony (1Ch. 15:12).
And did not then wait by course.They had not to observe courses (1 Chronicles 24). Not merely the class of priests then on duty, but all the classes indiscriminately took part in the solemnity.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
The Glory of the Lord in the Temple
v. 11. And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the Holy Place v. 12. also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, v. 13. it came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, v. 14. so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
2Ch 5:11. For all the priests that were present were sanctified, &c. For all the priests then present had purified themselves, nor did any one wait for his course: that is, being all desirous of ministering at this solemn assembly, they did not observe the particular turn or course of waiting which was appointed for them. Houbigant.
REFLECTIONS.1st, This solemnity we met with 1Ki 8:2. The treasures that his father had dedicated, besides what were used in the building, or for the vessels, Solomon laid up in the temple for any future occasion. The pious and charitable bequests of our parents we must carefully discharge. The ark he brought up with great ceremony, at a general convention assembled for that purpose, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, and placed it under the cherubims in the most holy place; where it continued to the day when the records were written whence Ezra made this extract.
The sacrifices on this occasion were immense, and sacred festal joy was universally diffused around. Note; (1.) The most gorgeous structure, without the presence of God, is not to be compared with a poor tent where he is pleased to manifest his glory. (2.) Wherever the faithful assemble, there Jesus hath promised to be in the midst of them. This ark, probably, was carried into captivity with the people, and is long since lost; but he is with us always to the end of the world. (3.) When the Divine Spirit is pleased to come and take up his abode in our heart, then shall we taste greater joys, unspeakable and full of glory.
2nd, Not all the gold or jewels could be compared with the presence of the celestial inhabitant whose glory filled the temple. No sooner were the priests retired from the holy place, and the song of thanksgiving with united voice and instruments had begun to sound, than lo! the present Deity appears, answering their grateful acknowledgments, that his mercy endureth for ever; testifying how pleasing the work of praise was to him, and that he intended to take up his abode with them, as he did with their fathers in the wilderness. The priests, who were all assembled on this occasion, with the courses of Levites and singers, were no longer able to minister by reason of the cloud: a proof of their infirmity, and an intimation of the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood. Note; (1.) When with united voice we join in prayer and praise, then shall the cloud of glory be in the midst of us. (2.) The enduring mercy of God deserves to be the subject of our continual songs. (3.) Great as the glory of the first temple was, the glory of the second was greater; as being favoured with the visits of Him in whom dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
What sublimity is there in this account; short as it is. The Lord’s approbation of this temple is the most interesting part; in filling the house with a cloud. The Reader will not, I hope, overlook that the approbation of Jesus was by a voice coming out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Mat 17:5 . Observe, moreover, that all the manifestations before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ were through the medium of clouds and ordinances. But when the Son of God came, the dark dispensation was done away: We all beholding with open face, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord. And do remark yet further, that as the priests could not stand to minister before the Lord, by reason of the glory, though in a cloud, nothing could more decidedly preach, that until Jesus came, there could be no approach, no drawing nigh to the Lord Jehovah. But now we have access and redemption through his blood, we may approach with holy confidence in him and through him to a mercy-seat, and find mercy and grace to help in every time of need. Heb 4:14-16 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 5:11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place]: (for all the priests [that were] present were sanctified, [and] did not [then] wait by course:
Ver. 11. And did not then wait by course. ] Because the work was extraordinary.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
all. On this occasion all served; not “by course”. Note the parenthesis in verses: 2Ch 5:11-12.
were sanctified = had sanctified themselves.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ch 5:11-14
2Ch 5:11-14
A CLOUD SYMBOLIZING GOD’S GLORY FILLED THE TEMPLE
“And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place (for all the priests that were present had sanctified themselves, and did not keep their courses; also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, and their sons and their brethren, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets); and it came to pass, when the trumpeters and the singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Jehovah; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Jehovah, saying, For he is good; for his lovingkindness endureth forever; that the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of Jehovah, so that priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of Jehovah filled the house of God.”
“The significance of the temple is made specific in the ceremonies that accompanied its dedication. They designated the Temple to be the lineal successor to Israel’s previous sanctuaries.” The ark of the covenant and the tent of meeting were brought into the temple, and God recognized the temple as the place where his name was recorded and where a manifestation of his earthly presence would dwell.
In view of all the sins and rebellions of Israel, and of the sins and failures of David, and especially of Solomon, and in consideration of the basic truth that God never commanded the building of the temple in the first place …. in spite of all this, God remained firm and immovable in his promise to Abraham that, “in him and in his seed (singular) “(Gen 12:3), all the families of mankind would be blessed. To fulfill that glorious promise to the patriarchs, it was impossible for God to reject Messiah had been delivered, no matter what misunderstandings or outright sins and rebellions marked the behavior of the Chosen People. We may state it bluntly that, God was stuck with Israel until He had achieved the Grand Objective, namely, that of bringing the Prince of Life into our lost and ruined race. This simple truth explains why God accepted the temple, honored it with his presence, and sent fire from heaven as another positive indication of his approval (2Ch 7:1-10).
“The cloud of God’s glory that filled the temple (2Ch 5:11-14), was called the [~shekinah].”
E.M. Zerr:
2Ch 5:11. In 1 Chronicles 24 is an account of the arrangement for the priests to serve in their turn. On this special occasion the rule was suspended, and all of the men eligible for the office participated. Let us note, however, that before they did so they were sanctified for the occasion.
2Ch 5:12. This verse refers to the choir that had been collected by David, and consecrated to sing and play on the musical instruments.
2Ch 5:13-14. Some effort has been made to draw a distinction between the place where these instruments were used, and that part of the building that was considered holy. The point attempted is to show that God did not favor instrumental music even in Old Testament times, and neither does he now. The point is erroneous and unnecessary; God favored many things then that he does not now. But a close study of this passage will show us these facts: God endorsed this instrumental music by shedding his glory on the service. Furthermore, the spot where it took place and that was filled with the glory of the Lord is called the house of God. This glory was so great that it was too much for the physical endurance of the priests
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
present: Heb. found
sanctified: 2Ch 29:5, 2Ch 29:15, 2Ch 29:34, 2Ch 30:15, 2Ch 30:17-20, Exo 19:10, Exo 19:14, Exo 19:15, Job 1:5
wait by course: 2Ch 35:4, 1Ch 24:1-31
Reciprocal: 1Ch 15:12 – sanctify 2Ch 8:14 – the courses 2Ch 31:2 – the courses Neh 12:44 – Judah rejoiced
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5:11 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place]: (for all the priests [that were] present were {e} sanctified, [and] did not [then] wait by course:
(e) Were prepared to serve the Lord.