1 Chronicles 15:14
New International Version
So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

New Living Translation
So the priests and the Levites purified themselves in order to bring the Ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to Jerusalem.

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

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

Berean Literal Bible
And the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of YHWH, God of Israel;

King James Bible
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

New King James Version
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

NASB 1995
So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

NASB 1977
So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the priests and the Levites set themselves apart as holy to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Amplified Bible
So the priests and the Levites consecrated (dedicated) themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

Berean Annotated Bible
So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God).

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

American Standard Version
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Jehovah, the God of Israel.

Contemporary English Version
The priests and the Levites made themselves clean. They were now ready to carry the sacred chest

English Revised Version
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So the priests and the Levites made themselves holy in order to move the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

Good News Translation
Then the priests and the Levites purified themselves in order to move the Covenant Box of the LORD God of Israel.

International Standard Version
So the priests and descendants of Levi set themselves apart to carry the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

NET Bible
The priests and Levites consecrated themselves so they could bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

World English Bible
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the priests and the Levites sanctify themselves to bring up the Ark of YHWH, God of Israel;

Berean Literal Bible
And the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of YHWH, God of Israel;

Young's Literal Translation
And the priests and the Levites sanctify themselves, to bring up the ark of Jehovah, God of Israel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the priests will purify themselves and the Levites to bring up the ark of Jehovah God of Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So the priests and the Levites were sanctified, to carry the ark of the Lord the God of Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the priests and the Levites were sanctified, so that they might carry the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

New American Bible
Accordingly, the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priests and the Levites were hallowed to bring up the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH, the God of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves, to bring up the ark of the God of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Priests and Levites Carry the Ark
14So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. 15And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.…

Cross References
So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves

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 29:5
“Listen to me, O Levites,” he said. “Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers. Remove from the Holy Place every impurity.

Numbers 8:5-7
Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, / “Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. / This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.
to bring up the ark of the LORD,

1 Chronicles 13:6-8
David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. / So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart. / David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

2 Samuel 6:12-13
Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing. / When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.

Numbers 4:15
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.
the God of Israel.

1 Chronicles 16:36
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.” Then all the people said, “Amen!” and “Praise the LORD!”

1 Kings 8:15-16
and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, / ‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

Psalm 72:18-19
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. / And blessed be His glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.
Exodus 19:10-11
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes / and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Leviticus 20:7
Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.

Numbers 8:6-7
“Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. / This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

2 Chronicles 30:15-17
And on the fourteenth day of the second month they slaughtered the Passover lamb. The priests and Levites were ashamed, and they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings to the house of the LORD. / They stood at their prescribed posts, according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests splattered the blood, which they received from the hand of the Levites. / Since there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs for every unclean person to consecrate the lambs to the LORD.

Nehemiah 12:30
After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

Psalm 24:3-4
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? / He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

Psalm 51:7
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.


Treasury of Scripture

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

sanctified

Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

2 Chronicles 29:15,34
And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD…

Joel 2:16,17
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet…

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1 Chronicles 15
1. David having prepared a place for the ark,
15. the priests and Levites bring it from Obed-Edom
25. He performs the solemnity thereof with great joy
29. Michal despises him












So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves
The act of consecration was a vital preparation for the priests and Levites, emphasizing the holiness required to handle sacred objects. In the Old Testament, consecration often involved rituals such as washing, wearing specific garments, and abstaining from certain activities (Exodus 19:10-15). This reflects the broader biblical theme of purity and holiness, as seen in Leviticus 11:44, where God commands His people to be holy because He is holy. The need for consecration underscores the seriousness of approaching God and His sacred items, a principle that carries into the New Testament with the call for believers to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15-16).

to bring up the ark of the LORD
The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in Israel, symbolizing God's presence and covenant with His people. It contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4). The Ark's journey to Jerusalem was significant, marking the establishment of the city as the religious and political center of Israel. This event foreshadows the coming of Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence among His people (John 1:14). The reverence shown in transporting the Ark highlights the importance of worship and obedience to God's instructions, as previously demonstrated by the tragic incident with Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

the God of Israel
This phrase emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. It highlights God's faithfulness and the identity of Israel as His chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6). The title "God of Israel" distinguishes Him from the pagan gods of surrounding nations, affirming monotheism and the unique relationship Israel had with Yahweh. This covenant relationship is foundational to understanding the narrative of the Bible, culminating in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, who extends God's promises to all nations (Galatians 3:28-29).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priests and Levites
These were the religious leaders and temple servants in Israel, responsible for performing sacrifices and maintaining the temple. In this context, they were tasked with the sacred duty of transporting the Ark of the Covenant.

2. Ark of the LORD
The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments. It symbolized God's presence and covenant with Israel.

3. Consecration
This refers to the act of making oneself holy or set apart for God's service. The priests and Levites had to purify themselves before handling the Ark.

4. David
King David was the ruler of Israel at this time and was responsible for organizing the transport of the Ark to Jerusalem.

5. Jerusalem
The city where David intended to bring the Ark, establishing it as the religious and political center of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Holiness
The consecration of the priests and Levites underscores the necessity of holiness when approaching God. As believers, we are called to live lives set apart for His service.

Reverence for God's Presence
The Ark represented God's presence among His people. We must approach God with reverence and respect, acknowledging His holiness and majesty.

Obedience to God's Instructions
The priests and Levites followed specific instructions for transporting the Ark. Similarly, we must adhere to God's Word and His guidance in our lives.

Preparation for Worship
Just as the priests prepared themselves to carry the Ark, we should prepare our hearts and minds for worship, ensuring we are spiritually ready to meet with God.

Leadership and Responsibility
David's leadership in organizing the transport of the Ark highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide others in worship and obedience to God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Chronicles 15:14?

2. How did the Levites prepare themselves according to 1 Chronicles 15:14?

3. Why is sanctification important for those serving in God's presence?

4. What does 1 Chronicles 15:14 teach about obedience to God's commands?

5. How can we apply the Levites' example of preparation in our daily lives?

6. What other scriptures emphasize the importance of holiness in service to God?

7. Why did the Levites need to consecrate themselves in 1 Chronicles 15:14?

8. What does consecration mean in the context of 1 Chronicles 15:14?

9. How does 1 Chronicles 15:14 reflect the importance of holiness in worship?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Chronicles 15?

11. Why does 1 Chronicles 16 differ from 2 Samuel 6 in describing the Ark's journey and the people's offerings?

12. 2 Samuel 6:7 – Why would an all-knowing God strike Uzzah dead for physically stabilizing the Ark when his intention seemed good?

13. In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?

14. 1 Chronicles 14:15 - Are there natural or archaeological explanations for the sound 'in the tops of the balsam trees' that signaled God's assistance in battle?
What Does 1 Chronicles 15:14 Mean
So the priests and Levites

• David intentionally gathered the right people—those whom God had already assigned to handle holy things (Numbers 4:15; Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Chronicles 15:11).

• Their inclusion underscores that spiritual service is not a free-for-all; God designates roles, and blessings follow obedience (1 Chronicles 15:13).

• By naming both “priests and Levites,” the text highlights unity among all who served in the sanctuary (2 Chronicles 5:12).


consecrated themselves

• Consecration involved ritual washing, abstaining from anything unclean, and presenting offerings (Exodus 19:10-14; 29:1; 2 Chronicles 29:15-17).

• This step teaches that holiness is required to approach God’s presence; good intentions alone are never enough (Leviticus 10:1-3; 1 Peter 1:15-16).

• By preparing properly, they corrected the earlier tragedy with Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6-9), showing repentance expressed through careful obedience.


to bring up

• “Bring up” points to movement toward Jerusalem’s higher elevation—a physical act that mirrors lifting God’s presence to the center of national life (Psalm 24:3-4).

• It signals purpose: the entire consecration was not an end in itself but preparation for service (Romans 12:1).

• The phrase echoes David’s firm resolve the second time around: “It shall be carried by the Levites” (1 Chronicles 15:2), not carted as the Philistines once did (1 Samuel 6:7-8).


the ark of the LORD

• The ark symbolized God’s throne on earth, containing the tablets of the covenant and topped by the mercy seat where atonement blood was sprinkled (Exodus 25:10-22; Leviticus 16:14-15; Psalm 99:1).

• Handling it rightly affirmed reverence for God’s holiness and His Word inside (Deuteronomy 31:26).

• Returning the ark to Jerusalem declared that national life must revolve around God’s presence, not merely political power (Psalm 132:8-10).


the God of Israel

• The title ties the ark to the covenant name of the One who redeemed the nation (Exodus 3:15).

• It stresses exclusivity: only Israel’s God is the living LORD, distinguishing Him from idols (1 Kings 18:39; Isaiah 45:5).

• By calling Him “the God of Israel,” the text reminds every reader that obedience to commands is personal loyalty to a covenant-keeping God (Deuteronomy 7:9).


summary

1 Chronicles 15:14 shows that when God’s people approach Him on His terms—through consecration, proper roles, and heartfelt obedience—His presence can be welcomed with joy and safety. The verse is a snapshot of corrected priorities: holy leaders, holy preparation, holy purpose, and a holy God at the center.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the priests
הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

and Levites
וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

consecrated themselves
וַיִּֽתְקַדְּשׁ֔וּ (way·yiṯ·qad·də·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

to bring up
לְהַעֲל֕וֹת (lə·ha·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

the ark
אֲר֥וֹן (’ă·rō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 15:14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 15:13
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