1 Chronicles 6:49
But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
But Aaron and his sons did all the work of the Most Holy Place.
Aaron and his sons were appointed as priests, a role established by God through Moses. The Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies, was the innermost and most sacred area of the Tabernacle, later the Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Only the high priest, initially Aaron, could enter this sacred space, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). This highlights the exclusivity and sanctity of their priestly duties, emphasizing the separation between God and humanity due to sin, and the need for a mediator, a role ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ as our High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-12).

They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense
The altar of burnt offering was located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and was used for sacrifices that symbolized atonement and dedication to God. The altar of incense, situated in the Holy Place, was used to burn incense, symbolizing the prayers of the people ascending to God. These rituals were central to Israelite worship and underscored the need for atonement and intercession. The offerings foreshadowed Christ's ultimate sacrifice, and the incense represents the prayers of believers, as seen in Revelation 8:3-4.

to make atonement for Israel
Atonement involved the covering or removal of sin, allowing for reconciliation between God and His people. The sacrificial system was a temporary measure pointing to the ultimate atonement made by Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection provided a once-for-all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:10). This phrase underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of a sacrificial system to maintain a relationship with a holy God.

according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
Moses, as God's chosen leader and prophet, received the Law and instructions for worship directly from God. His role as a mediator between God and Israel prefigures Christ, the ultimate mediator of a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6). The adherence to Moses' commands reflects the importance of obedience to God's revealed will, a theme that runs throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true worship is conducted according to God's instructions, not human invention.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Aaron
The first high priest of Israel, brother of Moses, and a key figure in the establishment of the Levitical priesthood.

2. Aaron's Descendants
The lineage of priests who continued the priestly duties as ordained by God through Moses.

3. Altar of Burnt Offering
A sacred place where sacrifices were made to God, symbolizing atonement and dedication.

4. Altar of Incense
Located in the Holy Place, where incense was burned as a symbol of prayers ascending to God.

5. Most Holy Place
The innermost part of the tabernacle/temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept and where the high priest entered once a year on the Day of Atonement.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priesthood
The priesthood was established by God to mediate between Him and the people, highlighting the need for a mediator in our relationship with God.

Symbolism of Sacrifices
The sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering symbolize the need for atonement and the seriousness of sin, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Prayer and Intercession
The altar of incense represents the prayers of the people, reminding us of the importance of prayer and intercession in our spiritual lives.

Holiness and Access to God
The Most Holy Place signifies the holiness of God and the separation caused by sin, which is bridged by Christ, our high priest.

Obedience to God's Commands
Aaron and his descendants followed the commands given through Moses, illustrating the importance of obedience to God's Word in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Aaron and his descendants as priests relate to the role of Jesus as our high priest?

2. In what ways can the symbolism of the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense be applied to our personal worship practices today?

3. How does the concept of the Most Holy Place in the Old Testament enhance our understanding of access to God through Christ?

4. What lessons can we learn from the obedience of Aaron and his descendants to God's commands, and how can we apply these lessons in our daily walk with God?

5. How do the responsibilities of the Old Testament priesthood inform our understanding of the priesthood of all believers as described in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 28-29
Details the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests, establishing the priestly lineage and duties.

Leviticus 16
Describes the Day of Atonement, highlighting the role of the high priest in making atonement for the people.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the role of Christ as the ultimate high priest, drawing parallels to the Old Testament priesthood and the Most Holy Place.

Numbers 18
Outlines the responsibilities and privileges of the priests and Levites, emphasizing their role in the sacrificial system.
The Constant Work of AtonementR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 6:49
Religious CultureW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 6:32-81
Levites and PriestsJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 6:48, 49
On the Genealogical TablesR. Glover 1 Chronicles 1-6
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Aaron, Abdi, Abdon, Abiah, Abihu, Abijah, Abishua, Adaiah, Ahimaaz, Ahimoth, Ahitub, Alemeth, Amariah, Amasai, Amaziah, Amminadab, Amram, Amzi, Anathoth, Aner, Asaiah, Asaph, Asher, Assir, Azariah, Baaseiah, Bani, Benjamin, Berachiah, Berechiah, Bezer, Bukki, Caleb, Dan, David, Debir, Ebiasaph, Eleazar, Eliab, Eliel, Elkanah, Eshtemoa, Ethan, Ethni, Gad, Gershom, Gershomites, Gershon, Gibeon, Haggiah, Hashabiah, Heman, Hilkiah, Iddo, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Izhar, Jahath, Jeaterai, Jehozadak, Jephunneh, Jeroham, Joah, Joel, Johanan, Kishi, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Levi, Levites, Libni, Mahath, Mahli, Malchiah, Malchijah, Malluch, Manasseh, Meraioth, Merari, Merarites, Michael, Miriam, Mushi, Nadab, Nahath, Naphtali, Nebuchadnezzar, Phinehas, Rehob, Reuben, Samuel, Saul, Seraiah, Shallum, Shamer, Shaul, Shemer, Shemuel, Shimea, Shimei, Simeon, Solomon, Tahath, Toah, Uriel, Uzza, Uzzah, Uzzi, Uzziah, Uzziel, Vashni, Zadok, Zebulun, Zephaniah, Zerah, Zerahiah, Zimmah, Zophai, Zuph
Places
Abdon, Aijalon, Alemeth, Anathoth, Anem, Aner, Ashan, Ashtaroth, Assyria, Bashan, Beth-horon, Beth-shemesh, Bezer, Bileam, Daberath, Debir, Eshtemoa, Galilee, Gath-rimmon, Geba, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilead, Golan, Hammon, Hebron, Heshbon, Hilen, Hukok, Jahzah, Jattir, Jazer, Jericho, Jerusalem, Jokmeam, Jordan River, Kedemoth, Kedesh, Kiriathaim, Libnah, Mahanaim, Mashal, Mephaath, Most Holy Place, Ramoth, Rehob, Shechem, Tabor
Topics
Aaron, Accordance, Altar, Appointed, Atonement, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Commanded, Connection, Descendants, Holies, Holy, Incense, Making, Offered, Offering, Offerings, Ones, Ordered, Perfume, Presented, Servant, Sin, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 6:49

     7328   ceremonies
     7386   incense
     7413   priesthood, OT
     7438   sanctuary

1 Chronicles 6:31-49

     7390   Levites

1 Chronicles 6:49-53

     7767   priests, OT institution

Library
David's Choristers
'They stood in their office, according to their order.'--1 CHRON. vi. 32 (R.V. margin). This brief note is buried in the catalogue of the singers appointed by David for 'the service of song in the house of the Lord.' The waves of their choral praise have long ages since ceased to eddy round the 'tabernacle of the tent of meeting,' and all that is left of their melodious companies is a dry list of names, in spite of which the dead owners of them are nameless. But the chronicler's description of them
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Nob. Bahurim.
That Nob was placed in the land of Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, whence Jerusalem also might be seen,--the words of the Chaldee paraphrast, upon Isaiah 10:32, do argue. For so he speaks; "Sennacherib came and stood in Nob, a city of the priests, before the walls of Jerusalem; and said to his army, 'Is not this the city of Jerusalem, against which I have raised my whole army, and have subdued all the provinces of it? Is it not small and weak in comparison of all the fortifications of the Gentiles,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean!
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Chronicles 6:49 NIV
1 Chronicles 6:49 NLT
1 Chronicles 6:49 ESV
1 Chronicles 6:49 NASB
1 Chronicles 6:49 KJV

1 Chronicles 6:49 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Chronicles 6:48
Top of Page
Top of Page