2 Chronicles 29:11

Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — King Hezekiah addresses the Levites at the outset of his temple restoration, speaking immediately after his resolve to renew the covenant and before they begin their physical work. He issues this charge to reverse the neglect that characterized the previous reign.

The words — The verb תִּשָּׁל֑וּ (ti.sha.Lu) literally means "do not be negligent" or "do not slacken," directly tied to the declarative בָּחַ֣ר (ba.Char), "he has chosen."

The thread — This directive parallels the divine selection of the Levites in Numbers 3:6 and Numbers 8:6, and reflects Deuteronomy 10:8 where Yahweh sets apart the tribe to stand before Him and minister.

Why it lands — The text commands immediate, unslacked obedience to a divinely appointed priestly duty, requiring the reader to recognize that sacred service demands active vigilance rather than passive compliance.

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

בָּנַ֕יba.Na/iO sons/ my עַתָּ֖ה'a.Tahnow אַל־'al-may not תִּשָּׁל֑וּti.sha.Luyou be negligent כִּֽי־ki-forבָכֶ֞םva./Khem<in>/ youבָּחַ֣רba.Charhe has chosen יְהוָ֗הYah.wehYahweh לַעֲמֹ֤דla./'a.Modto/ stand לְפָנָיו֙le./fa.Na/v<to>/ before/ him לְשָׁ֣רְת֔וֹle./Sha.re.T/oto/ serve/ him וְלִהְי֥וֹתve./li/h.Yotand/ to/ beל֖וֹl/oof/ himמְשָׁרְתִ֥יםme.sha.re.Timservants וּמַקְטִרִֽים׃ סu./mak.ti.Rimand/ makers of smoke

King James Version

My sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.

Cross-references

Numbers 8:6 “Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean.
Deuteronomy 10:8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name, as they do to this day.
Numbers 3:6 “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him.
Numbers 18:2 But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony.
Numbers 16:35 And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.