Definition: [He gave] of gold by weight for [things] of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; [silver also] for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Chronicles 28:14. It’s a really interesting and somewhat complex passage about how the Israelites were to manage their wealth! Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a very specific system for managing the entire harvest of God's gifts – gold, silver, and all kinds of service. It’s saying that they had a very generous plan for distributing these valuable resources. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “He gave” : This means God is giving something to the Israelites. “Of gold by weight for [things] of gold” : This is the first part. It’s saying that all the gold they collected from their harvests – from fields, and even from sacrifices – would be used to create beautiful, intricate objects made of gold. The "by weight" means each item has a specific value determined by how much gold it contains. “For all instruments of all manner of service” : This is the second part. It’s saying that every single thing they did – from building temples, creating art, offering sacrifices, and even working in the fields – would be associated with a specific amount of gold. It’s like saying each job or activity had a corresponding value in gold. “Silver also for all instruments of silver by weight” : Same principle as above but for silver. “For all instruments of every kind of service:” This is the final and most important part - it means that every single task, no matter how big or small, was connected to a specific amount of silver. What’s the Big Picture? This verse illustrates a few key things about God's plan for the Israelites: God values everything: He doesn't just care about wealth; he cares about all contributions and actions. Resources are carefully managed: The amount of gold and silver allocated to each task was meticulously planned, showing that God wanted to ensure fairness and abundance. It’s a sign of blessings: This system highlights the importance of their labor and service in God's eyes – they were being blessed with plenty! In short, this verse describes a system where the Israelites received an enormous amount of gold and silver, tied to every single task they performed, demonstrating their value and blessing from God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Provide a historical context (why might this have been important)? Discuss the significance of this passage within the larger narrative of Israel’s history?