וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ כֹּ֖ל זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הַלְוִיִּ֖ם אֶת־הָאָרֹֽון׃
(2 Chronicles 5:4)
And all the elders of Yisraʾel came, and the Levites carried the Ark.
Word-by-Word Explanation
- וַיָּבֹאוּ – “And they came”Verb, from the root בּוֹא (“to come, enter”)
– Form: wayyiqtol, 3rd person masculine plural (narrative past)
– Prefix וַ signals a past narrative sequence (“and…”)
This opens the scene with action: a solemn entrance. - כֹּל – “all”Noun meaning “all” or “every”
– Governs the next phrase, זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל
This emphasizes the totality of the group arriving. - זִקְנֵי – “elders of”Noun in construct form, from זָקֵן (“elder”)
– Construct form זִקְנֵי links to the next noun: Yisraʾel
The tribal leaders, bearers of tradition and authority. - יִשְׂרָאֵל – “Yisraʾel”Proper noun, the name of the nation
Completes the construct chain: “elders of Yisraʾel.” - וַיִּשְׂאוּ – “and they carried”Verb, from נָשָׂא (“to lift, carry”)
– Wayyiqtol, 3rd person masculine plural
Continues the past narrative sequence: a physical action of reverence. - הַלְוִיִּם – “the Levites”Noun with definite article
– From לֵוִי, the tribe responsible for sacred duties
They were designated to handle holy objects like the Ark. - אֶת־הָאָרֹון – “the Ark”Definite direct object + noun
– אֶת marks the direct object
– הָ = “the”
– אָרֹון = “Ark” — referring to the Ark of the Covenant
This is the sacred centerpiece of the procession.
Word Order and Sentence Flow
Hebrew narrative prefers verb-first order for past events:
→ וַיָּבֹאוּ – Verb: “and they came”
→ כֹּל זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל – Subject: “all the elders of Yisraʾel”
→ וַיִּשְׂאוּ – Verb: “and they carried”
→ הַלְוִיִּם – Subject: “the Levites”
→ אֶת־הָאָרֹון – Object: “the Ark”
Two separate clauses with full verb–subject–object flow.
Visual Breakdown: Hebrew Procession Flow
| Hebrew Element | Function | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| וַיָּבֹאוּ | Verb (wayyiqtol) | And they came |
| כֹּל זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל | Subject | All the elders of Yisraʾel |
| וַיִּשְׂאוּ | Verb (wayyiqtol) | And they carried |
| הַלְוִיִּם | Subject | The Levites |
| אֶת־הָאָרֹון | Direct Object | The Ark |
Hebrew Unlocked!
“You’ve just followed a sacred moment—step by Hebrew step.”
This verse taught you:
- How wayyiqtol verbs move the story forward
- How Hebrew shows possession and titles with construct chains (e.g., זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל)
- How the holy duties of the Levites are woven into Hebrew grammar
Keep reading and each verse becomes a window into reverence, rhythm, and revelation.
