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2 Chronicles 5:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Chronicles 5:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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;
2 Chronicles 5:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Chronicles 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
9And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without: and there it is unto this day.
10There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put [there] at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
11And 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;
12also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, 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;)
13it came to pass, when the trumpeters and 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] for ever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of Jehovah,
14so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of Jehovah filled the house of God.
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“all the priests that were present . . . did not then wait by course--The rotation system of weekly service introduced by David was intended for the ordinary duties of the priesthood; on extraordinary occasions, or when more than wonted solemnity attached to them, the priests attended in a body.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“By course - According to David's appointment, 1Ch. 24:1-31, 25:1-22, which was only for the ordinary service, but in extraordinary solemnities, such as this, they all came together. 2 Chronicles 5:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:11-14 The Chronicler complements the dedication of the Temple with a detailed description of a great celebration. He names the three specific orders of singers and all their kinsmen. The 120 . . . trumpeters apparently included five priests from each of the 24 divisions (1 Chr 24:3-19). The sanctified priests, their standard apparel of fine linen robes, the musical instruments, the singers, and the trumpeters were all correctly positioned. When the priests exited, the musicians raised their song, and the cloud of the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“present: Heb. found sanctified: Ch2 29:5, Ch2 29:15, Ch2 29:34, Ch2 30:15, Ch2 30:17-20; Exo 19:10, Exo 19:14, Exo 19:15; Job 1:5 wait by course: Ch2 35:4; 1Chr. 24:1-31 2 Chronicles 5:12”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ch2 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 Kg1 8:11, which confines itself to the main transaction. The mention of the priests gives occasion for the remark, Ch2 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…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification