The term "by course" is used in the Bible to describe an organized sequence or order, particularly in the context of religious duties and services. This concept is most prominently seen in the Old Testament, where it pertains to the structured service of the priests and Levites in the temple.

Priestly and Levitical Courses

The division of priestly duties "by course" is first detailed in 1 Chronicles 23-24. King David, with the help of Zadok and Ahimelech, organized the priests into 24 courses or divisions. Each course was responsible for ministering in the temple for a specific period, ensuring that the worship and sacrifices were conducted in an orderly and continuous manner. This system allowed for a rotation of service, providing rest and ensuring that all priestly families had the opportunity to serve.

1 Chronicles 24:1-19 outlines the establishment of these courses. Verse 3 states, "David, with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to their appointed duties in their service." The courses were determined by casting lots, as described in verse 5: "They divided them impartially by lot, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar."

The Levites, who assisted the priests, were also organized "by course" as described in 1 Chronicles 23:6. Their duties included singing, gatekeeping, and other temple-related tasks. This structured approach ensured that the temple worship was conducted with reverence and precision.

New Testament Reference

The concept of serving "by course" is also mentioned in the New Testament. In Luke 1:5-9, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, is described as serving in the temple according to his division. Verse 8 states, "Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty," indicating that the practice of serving "by course" continued into the New Testament period.

Significance

The organization of religious duties "by course" highlights the importance of order and structure in worship. It reflects a divine orderliness that ensures the continuous and faithful execution of religious responsibilities. This system also underscores the communal aspect of worship, as it involves the participation of multiple families and individuals in the service of God.

The practice of serving "by course" demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the sanctity and regularity of worship, ensuring that the temple remains a place of constant devotion and reverence. It serves as a model for organized and dedicated service in the religious community, emphasizing the importance of each individual's role in the collective worship of God.2113. euthudromeo -- to run a straight course
... to run a straight course. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: euthudromeo Phonetic
Spelling: (yoo-thoo-drom-eh'-o) Short Definition: I run a straight course ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2113.htm - 6k

1408. dromos -- a course, race
... a course, race. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: dromos Phonetic
Spelling: (drom'-os) Short Definition: a running, course, career Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1408.htm - 6k

1222. depou -- of course, surely
... of course, surely. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: depou Phonetic Spelling:
(day'-poo) Short Definition: of course, indeed Definition: of course, indeed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1222.htm - 6k

5164. trochos -- a wheel
... a wheel. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: trochos Phonetic Spelling:
(trokh-os') Short Definition: a wheel, course Definition: a wheel, course. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5164.htm - 7k

165. aion -- a space of time, an age
... mean. continued duration Definition a space of time, an age NASB Word Usage age
(20), ages (6), ancient time (1), beginning of time (1), course (1), eternal (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/165.htm - 8k

4712. stadion -- a stadium (a Gr. measure of length), by impl. a ...
... Spelling: (stad'-ee-on) Short Definition: one eighth of a Roman mile Definition:
(a) a stadium, one eighth of a Roman mile, (b) a race-course for public games. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4712.htm - 7k

1601. ekpipto -- to leap out
... off, fall away, fade away, wither away Definition: I fall out, fall off, fall away;
hence in nautical language: I fall off from the straight course; of flowers ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1601.htm - 6k

2183. ephemeria -- a class (of priests detailed for service in the ...
... Word Origin from ephemeros Definition a class (of priests detailed for service
in the temple) NASB Word Usage division (2). course. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2183.htm - 6k

3716. orthopodeo -- to walk straight
... straight. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: orthopodeo Phonetic Spelling:
(or-thop-od-eh'-o) Short Definition: I walk in a straight course, walk uprightly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3716.htm - 7k

4144. ploos -- a voyage
... Word Origin from pleo Definition a voyage NASB Word Usage voyage (3). course, sailing,
voyage. From pleo; a sail, ie Navigation -- course, sailing, voyage. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4144.htm - 6k

4794. merutsah -- a running, course
... 4793, 4794. merutsah or merutsah. 4795 . a running, course. Transliteration:
merutsah or merutsah Phonetic Spelling: (mer-oo-tsaw') Short Definition: course ...
/hebrew/4794.htm - 6k

4256. machaloqeth -- division, course
... division, course. Transliteration: machaloqeth Phonetic Spelling: (makh-al-o'-keth)
Short Definition: divisions. ... company, course, division, portion. ...
/hebrew/4256.htm - 6k

5073. nidbak -- a row or layer, course
... 5072, 5073. nidbak. 5074 . a row or layer, course. Transliteration: nidbak
Phonetic Spelling: (nid-bawk') Short Definition: layer. ...
/hebrew/5073.htm - 6k

4255. machlqah -- class, division
... 4254, 4255. machlqah. 4255a . class, division. Transliteration: machlqah Phonetic
Spelling: (makh-lek-aw') Short Definition: course. course ...
/hebrew/4255.htm - 5k

4131. mot -- to totter, shake, slip
... be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, exceedingly, falling
down. A primitive root; to waver; by implication, to ...
/hebrew/4131.htm - 6k

2487. chaliphah -- a change
... change, course. From chalaph; alternation -- change, course. see HEBREW chalaph.
2486, 2487. chaliphah. 2488 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2487.htm - 6k

1777. din -- to judge
... Sail direct. Or (Gen. 6:3) duwn {doon}; a primitive roy a straight course, ie Sail
direct -- (come) with a straight course. 1776, 1777. din. 1778 . ...
/hebrew/1777.htm - 6k

1870. derek -- way, road, distance, journey, manner
... Word Origin from darak Definition way, road, distance, journey, manner NASB Word
Usage actions (1), acts (1), conduct (11), course (2), crooked* (2), direction ...
/hebrew/1870.htm - 6k

4546. mesillah -- a highway
... steps (1). causeway, course, highway, path, terrace. From calal; a thoroughfare
(as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically ...
/hebrew/4546.htm - 6k

4325. mayim -- waters, water
... waste, wasting, watering, course,. Dual of a primitive noun (but used in
a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism ...
/hebrew/4325.htm - 6k

Of Singing in Course.
... Of singing in course. If any shall think it best to sing the Psalms in
order in churches or families, it may be done with profit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/of singing in course.htm

Its Course.
... Fourth Chapter. REGENERATION. XX. Its Course. "No man can come unto Me, except the
Father draw him." "John 6:44. ... Of course, we refer only to the elect. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xx its course.htm

In the Course of this Crude Study we Shall have to Touch on what ...
... Chapter 8 In the course of this crude study we shall have to touch on
what is? In the course of this crude study we shall have ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 8 in the course.htm

By what Course of Reasoning the Error of the Manich??ans ...
... Chapter 1. "By What Course of Reasoning the Error of the Manich??ans Concerning
Two Souls, One of Which is Not from God, is Refuted. ...
/.../chapter 1 name what course.htm

The Course and Crown of a Devout Life
... GENESIS THE COURSE AND CROWN OF A DEVOUT LIFE. 'And Enoch walked with God;
and he was not, for God took him.' GENESIS v.24. ... Of course. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the course and crown of.htm

And Even when in the Course of an Historical Narrative Former ...
... Book 2 Chapter 44. And even when in the course of an historical narrative
former institutions of men? 44. And even when in the ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 44 and even when.htm

The Course of the World.
... Chapter XII. The Course Of The World. Unmistakably there exists a wide gulf of
separation between the children of God and the children of the world. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter xii the course of.htm

In the Course of the Second Year, the Persecution against us ...
... Chapter III. In the course of the second year, the persecution against us increased
greatly.? ... Now let us return to the regular course of events. Footnotes: ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter iii in the course.htm

And it was There of Course that one Night in My Sleep I Heard...
... Section 17. And it was there of course that one night in my sleep I heard?
17. And it was there of course that one night in my ...
/.../patrick/the confession of st patrick/section 17 and it was.htm

The Course Pursued by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ.
... Book II. Chapter I."The Course pursued by the Apostles after the Ascension
of Christ. 1. First, then, in the place of Judas, the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the course pursued by.htm

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