And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights how, even after rebuilding the physical structure, the true "service of God" meant re-establishing the divinely appointed order and worship. It wasn't just about bricks and mortar, but about ensuring the spiritual heart of Israel beat again according to God's ancient blueprint.
And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
With the temple now rebuilt and dedicated, the community moved to re-establish the proper worship of God. This meant organizing the priests and Levites into their specific service rotations, just as the Law of Moses prescribed for the ancient Tabernacle and later the first Temple. This crucial step marked the return to normal religious life in Jerusalem after the exile, bringing order and continuity to their sacred duties.
The temple wasn't just a building; it was a place of constant, organized worship. Imagine a divine system of shifts and assignments!
The rebuilding of the temple wasn't complete until the worship within it was re-established. Verse 18 tells us that the priests and Levites were put into their specific 'divisions' and 'courses' for the service of God in Jerusalem. This echoes the detailed organization first established by King David, drawing inspiration from the instructions given in the Book of Moses.
Divisions and Courses
In a time of rebuilding and restoration, where did they turn for guidance? The ancient law held immense authority.
The phrase 'as it is written in the Book of Moses' is a powerful declaration. It shows that the restored community viewed the Law given through Moses not just as history, but as living, authoritative instruction for their present lives and worship.
Ask a follow-up
Divine Blueprint
The temple is rebuilt, the worship is organized... what was the emotional atmosphere? Pure, unadulterated joy!
Verse 18 sets the stage for the joyous celebration described in the following verses. The meticulous organization of worship wasn't a burden but a pathway to joyful service. Having established the structure for ongoing worship, the people could fully celebrate the temple's dedication.
From Completion to Celebration
Understand the original words
abodah · Hebrew Noun
The divinely established system of religious duties, rituals, and temple activities performed by the Levites and priests to maintain the holiness of the sanctuary and the people's approach to God.
This verse marks the re-establishment of the divinely ordained temple service after the return from Babylonian exile, directly connecting the practices of the Second Temple to the foundational instructions given by Moses.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the scattering of the population.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the First Temple
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem, and exiles a significant portion of the population, including priests and Levites. This marks the end of regular temple worship.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, overthrows the Babylonian Empire. This event leads to a new policy allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period.
c. 516 BC— this verse
Completion and Dedication of the Second Temple
After years of work and opposition, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed and dedicated. This verse describes the reorganization of temple service following the dedication.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Commission and Return to Jerusalem
Ezra the scribe, empowered by the Persian king, leads a second wave of exiles back to Jerusalem. He focuses on restoring the Law and religious observance.
This passage outlines the foundational Levitical arrangements for service, which Ezra and the returned exiles specifically followed, referencing the 'Book of Moses' as their guide for organizing the priests and Levites.
These chapters detail David's organization of the priests and Levites into divisions and courses for temple service, providing the specific structure that Ezra's generation re-established at the rebuilt temple.
This New Testament reference mentions Zechariah belonging to the division of Abijah, illustrating the continuation of these established 'courses' of priests that were set in place after the exile and referenced in Ezra.
2 Chronicles 30:1-27This account of Hezekiah's Passover celebration shows a restoration of temple worship and order after a period of decline, mirroring the spirit of Ezra 6 where the renewed temple service brings order and joy.
pulpitEzra 6:18: "And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses."
Verse 18. - They set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses. The completion of the new temple was naturally followed by an arrangement of the ministers corresponding to that which had been originally made by David, and afterwards adopted by Solomon, for the service of the old temple (see 1 Chro…
gillEzra 6:18: "And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses."
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem,.... All in their proper classes and courses, to do the work of the temple at Jerusalem in their turns: as it is written in the book of Moses; see Numbers 3:6, from hence it is plain the Pentateuch…
This verse highlights how, even after rebuilding the physical structure, the true "service of God" meant re-establishing the divinely appointed order and worship. It wasn't just about bricks and mortar, but about ensuring the spiritual heart of Israel beat again according to God's ancient blueprint.
With the temple now rebuilt and dedicated, the community moved to re-establish the proper worship of God. This meant organizing the priests and Levites into their specific service rotations, just as the Law of Moses prescribed for the ancient Tabernacle and later the first Temple. This crucial step marked the return to normal religious life in Jerusalem after the exile, bringing order and continuity to their sacred duties.
With the temple now rebuilt and dedicated, the community moved to re-establish the proper worship of God. This meant organizing the priests and Levites into their specific service rotations, just as the Law of Moses prescribed for the ancient Tabernacle and later the first Temple. This crucial step marked the return to normal religious life in Jerusalem after the exile, bringing order and continuity to their sacred duties.
"And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses." — This verse highlights how, even after rebuilding the physical structure, the true "service of God" meant re-establishing the divinely appointed order and worship. It wasn't just about bricks and mort…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026