King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 29:11 Mean?

2 Chronicles 29:11 in the King James Version says “My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minist...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense. be not: or, be not now deceived burn: or, offer sacrifice”

2 Chronicles 29:11 · KJV

Context

9

For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.

10

Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.

11

My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense. be not: or, be not now deceived burn: or, offer sacrifice

12

Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:

13

And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hezekiah's charge to the Levites 'My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense' recalls priests to their covenant calling. After Ahaz's apostasy, the temple was defiled and worship ceased. Hezekiah's reforms begin with restoring proper worship and reminding Levites of their divine election ('the LORD hath chosen you'). The threefold description of priestly duty - stand before, serve, minister - emphasizes worship's sacred privilege and responsibility. This points to New Testament believers who are chosen as royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) to offer spiritual sacrifices.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hezekiah's reforms (c. 715 BCE) reversed his father Ahaz's wickedness, which included closing the temple and promoting idolatry. The Levites' response (29:12-19) demonstrated that even after apostasy, faithful remnants remain who respond to calls for renewal.

Reflection Questions

  1. How might you be 'negligent' in your calling as part of God's chosen priesthood of believers?
  2. What does it mean practically to 'stand before God' and 'serve Him' in your daily life?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
בָּנַ֕י1 of 15

“My sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַתָּ֖ה2 of 15
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אַל3 of 15
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשָּׁל֑וּ4 of 15

“be not now negligent”

H7952

to mislead

כִּֽי5 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בָכֶ֞ם6 of 15
H0
בָּחַ֣ר7 of 15

“hath chosen”

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

יְהוָ֗ה8 of 15

“for the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לַֽעֲמֹ֤ד9 of 15

“you to stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָנָיו֙10 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מְשָֽׁרְתִ֥ים11 of 15

“him and that ye should minister”

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

וְלִֽהְי֥וֹת12 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ל֖וֹ13 of 15
H0
מְשָֽׁרְתִ֥ים14 of 15

“him and that ye should minister”

H8334

to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to

וּמַקְטִרִֽים׃15 of 15

“unto him and burn incense”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 29:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 29:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 10:8Numbers 8:6-14Galatians 6:7-8Numbers 18:2-7Numbers 16:35-40Numbers 3:6-9

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