King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 29:34 Mean?

2 Chronicles 29:34 in the King James Version says “But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. did help: Heb. strengthened them”

2 Chronicles 29:34 · KJV

Context

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.

34

But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. did help: Heb. strengthened them

35

And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order.

36

And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.

Read 2 Chronicles 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.

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
רַ֤ק1 of 25
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

מֵהַכֹּֽהֲנִֽים׃2 of 25

“But the priests”

H3548

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

הָי֣וּ3 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לִמְעָ֔ט4 of 25

“were too few”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

וְלֹ֣א5 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָֽכְל֔וּ6 of 25

“so that they could”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְהַפְשִׁ֖יט7 of 25

“not flay”

H6584

to spread out (i.e., deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e., unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

אֶת8 of 25
H853

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

כָּל9 of 25
H3605

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

הָֽעֹל֑וֹת10 of 25

“all the burnt offerings”

H5930

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

וַֽיְחַזְּק֞וּם11 of 25

“did help”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

אֲחֵיהֶ֣ם12 of 25

“wherefore their brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הַלְוִיִּם֙13 of 25

“the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

עַד14 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כְּל֤וֹת15 of 25

“was ended”

H3615

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

הַמְּלָאכָה֙16 of 25

“them till the work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

וְעַ֣ד17 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לְהִתְקַדֵּ֖שׁ18 of 25

“had sanctified”

H6942

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

מֵהַכֹּֽהֲנִֽים׃19 of 25

“But the priests”

H3548

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

כִּ֤י20 of 25
H3588

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

הַלְוִיִּם֙21 of 25

“the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

יִשְׁרֵ֣י22 of 25

“were more upright”

H3477

straight (literally or figuratively)

לֵבָ֔ב23 of 25

“in heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

לְהִתְקַדֵּ֖שׁ24 of 25

“had sanctified”

H6942

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

מֵהַכֹּֽהֲנִֽים׃25 of 25

“But the priests”

H3548

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

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 29:34 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 29:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 35:112 Chronicles 30:3Numbers 18:6-7Psalms 26:62 Chronicles 29:5Psalms 94:15

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