Moreover he appointed certain of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD: Moreover renders the common Hebrew conjunction, which is left untranslated by most modern versions, including New Revised Standard Version. The translation certain of the Levites may give the impression that specific Levites were appointed, but the Hebrew is literally “from the Levites.” A better rendering in English is “some of the Levites” (New International Version, Knoppers). The Hebrew term translated ministers refers here to those who led others in worship. They were to stand in front of the Covenant Box.

The Levites have three responsibilities: to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. The exact meaning of the Hebrew verb translated to invoke is not clear in this context. The Hebrew verb is used with God’s name as the object in Exo 20.24, so the sense may be that the Levites are “to cause God’s name to be mentioned.” New English Bible has “to repeat the Name,” perhaps referring to liturgical responses or chants, such as found in Psa 136. Braun says “to commemorate.” The verb may also be translated “to praise” or “to confess” and may refer to singing psalms of lament. Some scholars note the similar root of the Hebrew word rendered “memorial portion” in Lev 2.2, 9, 16; 5.12, and suggest that to invoke involves some liturgical practice related to sacrifice.

Exactly how and when the Levites were to thank … the LORD is not stated, but probably this involved giving thanks on specific occasions both on behalf of the people as a whole and on behalf of individuals. The song of praise that follows in verses 8-36 indicates how they are to praise the LORD.

In Hebrew sometimes a series of near synonyms is used to express the idea of totality. Some interpreters think that the Hebrew verbs rendered to invoke, to thank and to praise are not to be understood as referring to separate activities but as referring to all that is involved in worship.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .