1 Chronicles 15:14

So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The narrator records the priests and Levites' response to David's correction regarding their earlier failed transport. This moment occurs between David's warning about their prior negligence and the execution of the proper carrying procedure.

The words — וַיִּתְקַדְּשׁוּ (va/yit.qad.de.shu) literally means "and they consecrated themselves," marking the required ritual preparation before handling the ark.

The thread — The text links this consecration to Leviticus 10:3, where approaching God demands demonstrated holiness, and to 2 Chronicles 29:15, where leaders consecrate themselves before temple restoration.

Why it lands — The verse states that ritual preparation precedes sacred action, leaving no room for unprepared initiative. It requires the reader to recognize that proper order and deliberate consecration are prerequisites for handling divine matters.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וַיִּֽתְקַדְּשׁ֔וּva/i.yit.ka.de.Shuand/ they consecrated themselves הַכֹּהֲנִ֖יםha./ko.ha.Nimthe/ priests וְהַלְוִיִּ֑םve./ha/l.vi.Yimand/ the/ Levites לְהַעֲל֕וֹתle./ha.'a.Lotto/ bring up אֶת־'et-<obj.>אֲר֥וֹן'a.Ron[the] ark of יְהוָ֖הYah.wehYahweh אֱלֹהֵ֥י'e.lo.Hei[the] God of יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃Yis.ra.'ElIsrael

King James Version

So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

Cross-references

Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.
2 Chronicles 29:15 When they had assembled their brothers and consecrated themselves, they went in to cleanse the house of the LORD, according to the command of the king by the words of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 29:34 However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.
Joel 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.