King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 29:25 Mean?

“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”

Context

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

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.

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

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

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

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(25) **He set.**—*Stationed, appointed.* Hezekiah restored the ancient choral worship as established by David (1Chronicles 23:5; 1Chronicles 23:25). **Psalteries.**—*Nĕbālîm,* a kind of harp; Greek, νάβλα. νάβλίον. **Harps.**—*Kinnôrôth.* Greek, κινύρα*,* a sort of lyre, or cittern, or guitar. **Gad** **. . .** **Nathan.**—1Chronicles 29:29. This is the only place where the institution of the Levitical minstrelsy is ascribed to the injunctions of prophets; but the thing is probable in itself, considering that no important step, whether in civil or ecclesiastical matters, would be likely to be taken by an Israelite king without consulting the Divine will by means of the royal prophets, as we know, from the cuneiform documents, was the uniform practice with the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns. Moreover, prophecy was intimately connected with music. (See on 1Chronicles 25:1.) **For so was** **. . .**—*For by the hand of Jehovah was the commandment; to wit, by the hand of his prophets.* David’s command was obeyed because it was Divine, having emanated from the prophets who represented Jehovah. (Comp. 2Chronicles 29:15, *supra.*)

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.