King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 29:17 Mean?

2 Chronicles 29:17 in the King James Version says “Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porc...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.”

2 Chronicles 29:17 · KJV

Context

15

And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. by the words: or, in the business of the LORD

16

And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.

17

Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.

18

Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.

19

Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Comprehensive restoration of worship beginning immediately. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַ֠יָּחֵלּוּ1 of 23

“Now they began”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

בְּאֶחָ֞ד2 of 23

“on the first”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ3 of 23

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן4 of 23

“day of the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

וַיְקַדְּשׁ֥וּ5 of 23

“so they sanctified”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

וּבְי֨וֹם6 of 23

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שְׁמוֹנָ֑ה7 of 23

“and on the eighth”

H8083

a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth

לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ8 of 23

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בָּ֚אוּ9 of 23

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְאוּלָ֣ם10 of 23

“they to the porch”

H197

a vestibule (as bound to the building)

יְהוָ֖ה11 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיְקַדְּשׁ֥וּ12 of 23

“so they sanctified”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

אֶת13 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּית14 of 23

“the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה15 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וּבְי֨וֹם16 of 23

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שְׁמוֹנָ֑ה17 of 23

“and on the eighth”

H8083

a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth

וּבְי֨וֹם18 of 23

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שִׁשָּׁ֥ה19 of 23

“and in the sixteenth”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

עָשָׂ֛ר20 of 23
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ21 of 23

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן22 of 23

“day of the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

כִּלּֽוּ׃23 of 23

“they made an end”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

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 29:17 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 29:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 29:31 Kings 6:3Exodus 12:2-81 Chronicles 28:112 Chronicles 3:42 Chronicles 29:7

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