Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 6:49

Charles Ellicott Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:49

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:49

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of burnt-offering, and upon the altar of incense, for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded." — 1 Chronicles 6:49 (ASV)

But Aaron and his sons offered. —Literally, And Aaron and his sons were offering. The participle denotes continuous action. “Aaron and his sons” is a technical name for the priests, to whom, according to this passage, three functions pertained:

  1. Sacrifice on the altars of burnt-offering and incense;
  2. The work of the most holy place (Holy of holies);
  3. Atonement for Israel by special rites of sacrifice and purification.

According to all that Moses ... commanded. —This refers to the entire ministry of the priests. The time in question is the Davidic age.

The servant of God. —Compare Deuteronomy 34:5; Joshua 1:1; Joshua 1:13. After his death, Moses is three times called “servant of Jehovah,” in whose earthly household he had been faithful as a servant (Hebrews 3:5). He foreshadows, in a grand if imperfect outline, that other servant of Jehovah, of whom the second half of Isaiah speaks so extensively. “Servant of God” (Elohîm) the chronicler writes, because in his day the NAME was held in ever-increasing awe.