The Meaning of 2 Chronicles 35:3 Explained

2 Chronicles 35:3

KJV: And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,

YLT: and saith to the Levites -- who are teaching all Israel -- who are sanctified to Jehovah, 'Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon son of David king of Israel built; it is not to you a burden on the shoulder. 'Now, serve Jehovah your God, and His people Israel,

Darby: And he said to the Levites, that taught all Israel, and who were holy to Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built; ye have not to carry it upon your shoulders. Serve now Jehovah your God, and his people Israel;

ASV: And he said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, that were holy unto Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden upon your shoulders: now serve Jehovah your God, and his people Israel.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And said  unto the Levites  that taught  {08675;04000> all Israel,  which were holy  unto the LORD,  Put  the holy  ark  in the house  which Solomon  the son  of David  king  of Israel  did build;  [it shall] not [be] a burden  upon [your] shoulders:  serve  now the LORD  your God,  and his people  Israel, 

What does 2 Chronicles 35:3 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Chronicles 35:1-15 - A Memorable Passover
This Passover was memorable, not only for the imposing grandeur of the ceremonial, and the concourse of worshipers, but because of the strict adherence, even in minute particulars, to the prescriptions of the Law. Josiah was the soul and life of the movement. First the Levites were addressed, and reminded that as they were not required to carry the Ark from place to place, as in the days of the Exodus, they might fitly undertake other work and assist the priests, who were likely to be overwhelmed by the demands of the approaching celebration. Let us not cling to stereotyped conditions, but adapt ourselves cheerfully to new demands. One of their first duties was to bring the Ark out of the side chamber to which neglect had relegated it, and re-establish it in the Most Holy Place.
Vast preparations were made for the poor and those unable to provide for themselves. Munificent offerings were made by the king and the princes. True love to God is always accompanied by unselfish care for others. If you really love God, you will desire to promote the knowledge of, and participation in, His love. Never forget to leave a place for worship and praise! [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Chronicles 35

1  Josiah keeps a most solemn Passover
20  He provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo
25  Lamentations for Josiah

What do the individual words in 2 Chronicles 35:3 mean?

and he said to the Levites - who taught all Israel who were holy to Yahweh Put - ark the holy in the house which built Solomon son of David king of Israel [it shall] no longer [be] to a burden on [your] shoulders now serve Yahweh your God and His people Israel
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לַ֠לְוִיִּם [המבונים] (הַמְּבִינִ֨ים) לְכָל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל הַקְּדוֹשִׁ֣ים לַיהוָ֗ה תְּנ֤וּ אֶת־ אֲרוֹן־ הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙ בַּ֠בַּיִת אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֜ה שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה בֶן־ דָּוִיד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֵין־ לָכֶ֥ם מַשָּׂ֖א בַּכָּתֵ֑ף עַתָּ֗ה עִבְדוּ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת עַמּ֥וֹ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר  and  he  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
לַ֠לְוִיִּם  to  the  Levites 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine plural
Root: לֵוִי  
Sense: the descendants of Levi, the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah.
[המבונים]  - 
Parse: Article, Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine plural
(הַמְּבִינִ֨ים)  who  taught 
Parse: Article, Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine plural
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
הַקְּדוֹשִׁ֣ים  who  were  holy 
Parse: Article, Adjective, masculine plural
Root: קָדֹושׁ  
Sense: sacred, holy, Holy One, saint, set apart.
לַיהוָ֗ה  to  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
תְּנ֤וּ  Put 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אֲרוֹן־  ark 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: אֲרֹון  
Sense: chest, ark.
הַקֹּ֙דֶשׁ֙  the  holy 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֹדֶשׁ  
Sense: apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness.
בַּ֠בַּיִת  in  the  house 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
בָּנָ֜ה  built 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּנָה  
Sense: to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue.
שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה  Solomon 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: שְׁלֹמֹה  
Sense: son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs.
בֶן־  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
דָּוִיד֙  of  David 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
מֶ֣לֶךְ  king 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
אֵין־  [it  shall]  no  longer  [be] 
Parse: Adverb
Root: אַיִן 
Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
מַשָּׂ֖א  a  burden 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַשָּׂא 
Sense: load, bearing, tribute, burden, lifting.
בַּכָּתֵ֑ף  on  [your]  shoulders 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: כָּתֵף  
Sense: shoulder, shoulder-blade, side, slope.
עַתָּ֗ה  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
עִבְדוּ֙  serve 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: עָבַד  
Sense: to work, serve.
יְהוָ֣ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם  your  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
עַמּ֥וֹ  His  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.