1 Kings 8:3
New International Version
When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,

New Living Translation
When all the elders of Israel arrived, the priests picked up the Ark.

English Standard Version
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

Berean Standard Bible
When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,

King James Bible
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

New King James Version
So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

New American Standard Bible
Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

NASB 1995
Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

NASB 1977
Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark.

Amplified Bible
All the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark.

Christian Standard Bible
All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark.

American Standard Version
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

English Revised Version
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When all the leaders of Israel had arrived, the priests picked up the LORD's ark.

Good News Translation
When all the leaders had gathered, the priests lifted the Covenant Box

International Standard Version
All the Elders of Israel showed up, and the priests picked up the ark

Majority Standard Bible
When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,

NET Bible
When all Israel's elders had arrived, the priests lifted the ark.

New Heart English Bible
All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

Webster's Bible Translation
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

World English Bible
All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all [the] elderly of Israel come in, and the priests lift up the Ark,

Young's Literal Translation
And all the elders of Israel come in, and the priests lift up the ark,

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the old men of Israel will come, and the priests will lift up the ark.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the ancients of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And all the elders of Israel arrived, and the priests took up the ark.

New American Bible
When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark;

New Revised Standard Version
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the tribes of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the tribes of Israel came and the Priests picked up the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the priests took up the ark,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ark Enters the Temple
2And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. 3When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, 4and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 5:4-5
When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites took up the ark, / and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up.

Exodus 40:34-35
Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Numbers 10:33-36
So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. / And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp. / Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, “Rise up, O LORD! May Your enemies be scattered; may those who hate You flee before You.” ...

2 Samuel 6:12-15
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. / And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, ...

1 Chronicles 15:25-28
So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. / And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. / Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. ...

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. / The priests were unable to enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled it. / When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

Hebrews 9:6-7
When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Exodus 25:21-22
Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark. / And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

1 Samuel 4:4
So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

2 Samuel 6:2
And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.

1 Chronicles 13:5-8
So David assembled all Israel, from the River Shihor in Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. / 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. ...

2 Chronicles 5:11-14
Now all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves regardless of their divisions. And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, / all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud ...

Matthew 17:1-5
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ...

Mark 9:2-7
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. / His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. / And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

the priests took up

Numbers 4:15
And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Deuteronomy 31:9
And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

Joshua 3:6,14,15
And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people…

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Ark Arrived Elders Israel Lift Priests Responsible
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1 Kings 8
1. The feast of the temple
12. Solomon's blessing
22. Solomon's prayer
54. Solomon's blessing
62. His sacrifice of peace offerings














When all the elders of Israel had arrived
The phrase "When all the elders of Israel had arrived" signifies a moment of unity and collective leadership among the Israelites. The "elders" in ancient Israel were respected leaders and representatives of the tribes, often involved in decision-making and governance. Their presence underscores the importance of the event, as it was not just a religious ceremony but a national gathering. The Hebrew word for "elders" is "זְקֵנִים" (zeqenim), which conveys wisdom and experience. This assembly of elders reflects the communal and covenantal nature of Israel's relationship with God, emphasizing that the dedication of the temple was a significant event for the entire nation.

the priests
The role of "the priests" in this context is crucial, as they were the mediators between God and the people. The Hebrew term for priests is "כֹּהֲנִים" (kohanim), which denotes those who are consecrated to perform sacred duties. The priests were responsible for maintaining the holiness of the temple and conducting sacrifices. Their involvement in transporting the ark highlights the sanctity of the task, as only those who were ritually pure and set apart for divine service could handle such sacred objects. This underscores the holiness and reverence associated with the ark, which symbolized God's presence among His people.

took up the ark
The phrase "took up the ark" refers to the act of carrying the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Law given to Moses. The Hebrew word for "ark" is "אֲרוֹן" (aron), which means a chest or box. The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in Israelite worship, representing God's throne on earth and His covenant with Israel. The act of taking up the ark was not merely a physical task but a deeply spiritual one, symbolizing the movement of God's presence into the newly constructed temple. This event marked the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people, as the ark was placed in the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the temple. The careful and reverent handling of the ark by the priests reflects the awe and respect due to God and His commandments.

(3) The priests took up the ark.--To bear the ark on its journeys was properly the duty of the Levites of the family of Kohath (Numbers 3:31; Numbers 4:5); but to bring it out of the Holy of Holies (or, as here, from whatever corresponded thereto in the tent erected for the ark on Mount Zion), and to replace it therein, was the work of the priests alone. Hence in this passage, with literal accuracy, it is said, first, that "the priests took up the ark;" then (1Kings 8:4) that the priests and Levites brought up the ark and the holy things; and, lastly (1Kings 8:6), that "the priests brought in the ark into the oracle." Josephus, indeed, declares that, as was natural on this occasion of special solemnity--just as at the passage of the Jordan, and the circuit round the walls of Jericho (Joshua 3:6-17; Joshua 6:6)--the priests themselves bore the ark, while the Levites bore only the vessels and furniture of the Tabernacle. . . . Verse 3. - And all the elders of Israel came [Not a mere repetition. The men who were summoned to Jerusalem (ver. 1) were all present, of their own accord, to witness the removal], and the priests took up the ark. tin the parallel account in 2 Chronicles 5:4, we read that "the Levites took up the ark." But there is no contradiction, as has been too readily supposed. For ver. 7 of the Chronicles," the priests brought in the ark," etc., confirms the statement of the text. And the explanation is suggested in ver. 5 of the same chapter, "These did the priests, the Levites (so the Heb.) bring up." Same expression in Joshua 3:3. All the priests were Levites - Keil translates, "the Levitical priests" - and this somewhat singular expression is no doubt used to remind us that such was the case. Nor need it cause us any surprise to find the priests employed in this service. It is true that the ark was given into the charge of the Kohathite Levites (Numbers 3:30, 31); and it was their duty to bear it (Numbers 4:15; Numbers 7:9; Numbers 10:21; cf. 1 Chronicles 15:2, 11, 12). But the real care and supervision of the ark always belonged to the sons of Aaron. It was their office, e.g., to put on or take off the covering of the ark and of the vessels, which the Levites were forbidden directly to touch (Numbers 4:5-15). It was quite in accordance with the spirit of these provisions that Solomon now entrusted the carriage of the ark to the superior order. But more than that, Solomon was not without precedent to justify his choice, indeed, we may see in his selection of the priests a minute mark of truth, amounting almost to an undo-signed coincidence. For we find that on occasions of extraordinary solemnity - at the crossing of the Jordan, e.g., (Joshua 3:6, 15, 17), and at the siege of Jericho (Joshua 6:6), the priests had borne the ark (cf. 1 Samuel 4:4; 1 Chronicles 15:11, 12). It was no doubt these familiar precedents guided Solomon, or the ecclesiastical authorities, in their selection of the priests on this occasion. A "settled place," a "house of cedars" (2 Samuel 7:7), "having now been found for the ark" to abide in, after it had "dwelt in curtains" for 500 years, it was taking its last journey, and in order to mark this journey as exceptional, in order to show both the ark and the house the greater reverence, it was determined that it should be borne for the last time by the priests. Keil suggests that the ark may have been uncovered, but this is very improbable. Why, we may ask, were coverings provided, and their use prescribed (Numbers 4:5-15), if they were to be arbitrarily dispensed with? He also adds that Levites were not allowed to enter the most holy place. But neither, it may be added, was this lawful for the priests. Levites and priests might enter that day, because the house was not then dedicated. The cloud (ver. 10) claimed it for God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When all
כֹּ֖ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the elders
זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

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

had arrived,
וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

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

took up
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ (way·yiś·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

the ark,
הָאָרֽוֹן׃ (hā·’ā·rō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark


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OT History: 1 Kings 8:3 All the elders of Israel came (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 8:2
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