And he said to the Levites …: In this context the common Hebrew conjunction rendered And may be seen as introducing an additional action on the part of the king after he had assigned the priests their duties and encouraged them. For this reason “also” (Good News Translation, NASB) is a valid translation here. But many modern versions omit it (so New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible). La Bible du Semeur takes it as a temporal connector, translating “Then.” In view of the lengthy directives that follow in the direct quotation, it may be better to translate the verb said as “issued this order” (New Living Translation).
Who taught all Israel: The Hebrew participle here as written in the Hebrew text makes no sense, so all translations follow the reading in the margin of the Hebrew text, which changes one letter to read who taught. The Levites taught the Israelites about matters pertaining to the Temple worship. Moffatt says “who gave religious instruction to all Israel.”
Who were holy to the LORD may be rendered “who had been set apart to serve the LORD” (New Living Translation) or “who had been consecrated to the LORD” (New International Version).
New Century Version changes the structure and makes two separate sentences of the first part of this verse, saying “The Levites taught the Israelites and were made holy for service to the LORD. Josiah said to them….”
The instructions that the king gives to the Levites comprise a quotation that continues through the end of verse 6.
Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon … built: According to 2 Chr 5, the Covenant Box had already been placed in the Temple at the time of King Solomon. Interpreters are unsure of the meaning of the Hebrew here. How can the Levites put the Covenant Box in the Temple if it has already been put there? For this reason some interpreters suggest that the sense here must be “Since the sacred ark … was placed inside the temple built by Solomon…” (Moffatt; similarly Osty-Trinquet). Peregrino says “Leave the holy ark in the temple that Solomon … built.” For the holy ark, see the comments on 1 Chr 6.31.
You need no longer carry it upon your shoulders is literally “not for you a burden on the shoulder” or “you have no burden upon the shoulder.” New American Bible renders this clause rather literally as “It shall no longer be a burden on your shoulders.” The Hebrew leaves a great deal of information implied that may be made more explicit in translation. The sense here is that the priests will no longer be required to carry the Covenant Box since it was to become stationary in the Temple. This clause may even be taken as a command by saying “It is not to be carried about on your shoulders” (New International Version) or “Do not carry it from place to place on your shoulders anymore” (New Century Version).
Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel: Frequently the Hebrew verb for serve is rendered “worship” with the LORD as the object. But since his people Israel is also the object of this verb, all the translations consulted use the verb “serve” here.
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 .