King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 29:31 Mean?

2 Chronicles 29:31 in the King James Version says “Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and th... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings. consecrated: or, filled your hand

2 Chronicles 29:31 · KJV


Context

29

And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. present: Heb. found

30

Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

31

Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings. consecrated: or, filled your hand

32

And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.

33

And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.

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
וַיַּ֨עַן1 of 21

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ2 of 21

Then Hezekiah

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר3 of 21

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַתָּ֨ה4 of 21
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

מִלֵּאתֶ֤ם5 of 21

Now ye have consecrated

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

יֶדְכֶם֙6 of 21
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

יְהוָ֑ה7 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

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

גֹּ֧שׁוּ8 of 21

come near

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

וַיָּבִ֤יאוּ9 of 21

and bring

H935

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

זְבָחִ֣ים10 of 21

sacrifices

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

וְתוֹד֔וֹת11 of 21

and thank offerings

H8426

properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers

לְבֵ֣ית12 of 21

into the house

H1004

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

יְהוָ֑ה13 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

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

וַיָּבִ֤יאוּ14 of 21

and bring

H935

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

הַקָּהָל֙15 of 21

And the congregation

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

זְבָחִ֣ים16 of 21

sacrifices

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

וְתוֹד֔וֹת17 of 21

and thank offerings

H8426

properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers

וְכָל18 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נְדִ֥יב19 of 21

and as many as were of a free

H5081

properly, voluntary, i.e., generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)

לֵ֖ב20 of 21

heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

עֹלֽוֹת׃21 of 21

burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)


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 29:31 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 29:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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