Every morning and every evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the LORD. They set out the rows of showbread on the ceremonially clean table, and every evening they light the lamps of the gold lampstand. We are carrying out the requirements of the LORD our God, while you have forsaken Him.
Parallel translations
- WEB and they burn to Yahweh every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also set the show bread in order on the pure table; and the lamp stand of gold with its lamps, to burn every evening; for we keep the instruction of Yahweh our God, but you have forsaken him.
- KJV And they burn unto the LORD every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense: the shewbread also set they in order upon the pure table; and the candlestick of gold with the lamps thereof, to burn every evening: for we keep the charge of the LORD our God; but ye have forsaken him.
- NKJV And they burn to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense; they also set the showbread in order on the pure gold table, and the lampstand of gold with its lamps to burn every evening; for we keep the command of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken Him.
- NASB Every morning and evening they burn to the Lord burnt offerings and fragrant incense, and the showbread is set on the clean table, and the golden lampstand with its lamps is ready to light every evening; for we perform our duty to the Lord our God, but you have abandoned Him.
- NLT They present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the Lord every morning and evening. They place the Bread of the Presence on the holy table, and they light the gold lampstand every evening. We are following the instructions of the Lord our God, but you have abandoned him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Judah's priests maintain the daily offerings, incense, showbread, and lampstand, keeping God's instructions, while Israel has forsaken him. Faithful, ordered worship distinguishes Judah.
Overview
Abijah details Judah's continued obedience in the temple's daily ministry, the offerings, incense, showbread, and golden lampstand prescribed in the law. This faithful worship stands in sharp contrast to the north's abandonment of the LORD. These very temple elements, the bread, light, and offering, find their fulfillment in Christ, the bread of life, light of the world, and once-for-all sacrifice.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- 2 Chr 2:4Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever.
- Lev 24:2–9“Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.
- Exod 27:20–21And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.
- Exod 29:38This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old.
- Exod 25:30–39And place the Bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.
- Ezek 44:15But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD.
- Lev 2:1–3“When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering must consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it,
- Num 16:6You, Korah, and all your followers are to do as follows: Take censers,
- Exod 30:1–10“You are also to make an altar of acacia wood for the burning of incense.
- Ezek 44:8And you have not kept charge of My holy things, but have appointed others to keep charge of My sanctuary for you.’
- Num 16:46Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”
- Gen 26:5because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
- Num 9:19Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out.
- Rev 8:3–4Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.
- Ezek 48:11It will be for the consecrated priests, the descendants of Zadok, who kept My charge and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites went astray.
- Luke 1:9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
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Christ at the center
Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 13:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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