King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 29:21 Mean?

2 Chronicles 29:21 in the King James Version says “And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.”

2 Chronicles 29:21 · KJV

Context

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.

20

Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.

21

And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.

22

So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar.

23

And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them: forth: Heb. near

Read 2 Chronicles 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.

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 · 25 words
וַיָּבִ֣יאוּ1 of 25

“And they brought”

H935

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

פָרִים2 of 25

“bullocks”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

שִׁבְעָה֙3 of 25

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

וְאֵילִ֨ים4 of 25

“rams”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

שִׁבְעָה֙5 of 25

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

וּכְבָשִׂ֣ים6 of 25

“lambs”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

שִׁבְעָה֙7 of 25

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

וּצְפִירֵ֨י8 of 25

“he”

H6842

a male goat (as prancing)

עִזִּ֤ים9 of 25

“goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

שִׁבְעָה֙10 of 25

“and seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

לְחַטָּ֔את11 of 25

“for a sin offering”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

עַל12 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמַּמְלָכָ֥ה13 of 25

“for the kingdom”

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

וְעַל14 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמִּקְדָּ֖שׁ15 of 25

“and for the sanctuary”

H4720

a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum

וְעַל16 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יְהוּדָ֑ה17 of 25

“and for Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר18 of 25

“And he commanded”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִבְנֵ֤י19 of 25

“the 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

אַֽהֲרֹן֙20 of 25

“of Aaron”

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים21 of 25

“the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

לְהַֽעֲל֖וֹת22 of 25

“to offer”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל23 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִזְבַּ֥ח24 of 25

“them on the altar”

H4196

an altar

יְהוָֽה׃25 of 25

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 29:21 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 29:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 4:3-14Job 42:8Ezekiel 45:23Numbers 23:1Ezra 8:35Numbers 23:29

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