The Meaning of 2 Chronicles 35:4 Explained

2 Chronicles 35:4

KJV: And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.

YLT: and prepare, by the house of your fathers, according to your courses, by the writing of David king of Israel, and by the writing of Solomon his son,

Darby: and prepare yourselves by your fathers' houses, in your divisions, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son;

ASV: And prepare yourselves after your fathers houses by your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And prepare  {08675;03559:08734} [yourselves] by the houses  of your fathers,  after your courses,  according to the writing  of David  king  of Israel,  and according to the writing  of Solomon  his son. 

What does 2 Chronicles 35:4 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 35:4 mean?

- according to houses your fathers' according to your divisions following the written instruction of David king of Israel and the written instruction of Solomon his son
וְהָכִ֥ונוּ‪‬‪‬ לְבֵית־ אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם כְּמַחְלְקוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם בִּכְתָ֗ב דָּוִיד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּבְמִכְתַּ֖ב שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה בְנֽוֹ

וְהָכִ֥ונוּ‪‬‪‬  - 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Nifal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: אֵב  
Sense: fruit, fresh, young, greening.
לְבֵית־  according  to  houses 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם  your  fathers' 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: אָב  
Sense: father of an individual.
כְּמַחְלְקוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם  according  to  your  divisions 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, feminine plural construct, second person masculine plural
Root: מַחֲלֹקֶת  
Sense: division, course, class, share, allotment.
בִּכְתָ֗ב  following  the  written  instruction 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כְּתָב  
Sense: a writing, document, edict.
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.
וּבְמִכְתַּ֖ב  and  the  written  instruction 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מִכְתָּב  
Sense: writing, thing written.
שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה  of  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.
בְנֽוֹ  his  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.