King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 29:25 Mean?

2 Chronicles 29:25 in the King James Version says “And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandm...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. commandment of the LORD: Heb. commandment by the hand of the LORD by: Heb. by the hand of”

2 Chronicles 29:25 · KJV

Context

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

24

And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.

25

And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. commandment of the LORD: Heb. commandment by the hand of the LORD by: Heb. by the hand of

26

And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets.

27

And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. when: Heb. in the time the instruments: Heb. hands of instruments

Read 2 Chronicles 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

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 · 21 words
וַיַּֽעֲמֵ֨ד1 of 21

“And he set”

H5975

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

אֶת2 of 21
H853

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

הַלְוִיִּ֜ם3 of 21

“the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

בֵּ֣ית4 of 21

“in the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָ֛ה5 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

בִּמְצִלְתַּ֙יִם֙6 of 21

“with cymbals”

H4700

(only dual) double tinklers, i.e., cymbals

בִּנְבָלִ֣ים7 of 21

“with psalteries”

H5035

a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); also a lyre (as having a body of like form)

וּבְכִנֹּר֔וֹת8 of 21

“and with harps”

H3658

a harp

הַמִּצְוָ֖ה9 of 21

“according to the commandment”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

דָּוִ֛יד10 of 21

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וְגָ֥ד11 of 21

“and of Gad”

H1410

gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet

חֹזֵֽה12 of 21

“seer”

H2374

a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ13 of 21

“the king's”

H4428

a king

וְנָתָ֣ן14 of 21

“and Nathan”

H5416

nathan, the name of five israelites

נְבִיאָֽיו׃15 of 21

“his prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

כִּ֧י16 of 21
H3588

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

בְּיַד17 of 21

“by”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

יְהוָ֛ה18 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

הַמִּצְוָ֖ה19 of 21

“according to the commandment”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

בְּיַד20 of 21

“by”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

נְבִיאָֽיו׃21 of 21

“his prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

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 29:25 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 29:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 8:141 Chronicles 23:51 Chronicles 16:421 Chronicles 16:4-51 Chronicles 25:1-72 Chronicles 35:15

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