Definition: And said unto them, Ye [are] the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, [both] ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto [the place that] I have prepared for it.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 15:12. It’s a really important and significant passage about the Israelites and their sacred duty. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it’s saying: “You are now the most important leaders and priests of the people – you must dedicate yourselves to serving God and keeping His traditions.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “And said unto them…” : This is a formal address, like a king speaking to his people. “…Ye [are] the chief of the fathers of the Levites…” : "Levite" means “priests” or “leaders.” So, this refers to the priests and high-ranking religious officials within the Israelite community – the priests who were responsible for performing rituals and ceremonies dedicated to God. They were considered the most important people in the temple. “sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren…” : "Sanctify" means to make something holy or pure. This means they must dedicate themselves to living a life that honors God. “Both ye” refers to all of them – both priests and everyone involved in the religious duties. "Your brethren" means "your family, your colleagues, your fellow priests." “…that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto [the place] I have prepared for it.” : This is the big part. “The ark” was a portable container that held the Ark of the Covenant – a sacred object representing God’s presence. "unto it I have prepared” means that God has chosen this place specifically for the ark to be housed in. So, they are being asked to move the ark to this specific location. What's the overall message? This verse highlights the importance of religious leadership and devotion. It emphasizes that those who hold positions of authority within the Jewish community – particularly the priests – have a huge responsibility to be devoted to God, to uphold His laws, and to protect the sacred objects entrusted to them. It’s a call to dedicate themselves completely to serving God and maintaining the traditions of Israel. In short, it's about recognizing your role as leaders and prioritizing God in everything you do. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Give you a quick analogy to help you understand the concept?