Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 30:27
Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The priests and Levites stand to bless the congregation after a Passover celebration in Jerusalem. This action follows a day of unprecedented rejoicing that has not occurred since Solomon’s reign.
The words — The verb וַ/יִּשָּׁמַ֖ע (va/i.yi.sha.Ma') literally renders "and it was listened to," marking God’s responsive action. The prepositional phrase בְּ/קוֹלָ֑/ם (be./ko.La/m) means "to their voice," specifying the exact channel through which the prayer ascended.
The thread — The pattern of God hearing prayers from His heavenly sanctuary runs through Deuteronomy 26:15 and Psalm 68:5. The specialized duty of the Levites to stand before the Lord is first codified in Deuteronomy 10:8.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to observe that priestly intercession is met with divine attention rather than human achievement. It directs worshipers to expect that spoken prayer physically reaches God’s dwelling place, demanding orderly and reverent participation.
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
King James Version
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land You have given us as You swore to our fathers—a land flowing with milk and honey.”
- Psalms 68:5 A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.
- 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.
- 2 Chronicles 23:18 Moreover, Jehoiada put the oversight of the house of the LORD into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the house of the LORD, to offer burnt offerings to the LORD as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and song, as ordained by David.
- Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
- Acts 10:4 Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
- Numbers 6:23 “Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
- 1 Kings 8:30 Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.
- 1 Kings 8:39 be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men—
- Isaiah 63:15 Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained.