King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 29:5 Mean?

2 Chronicles 29:5 in the King James Version says “And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.”

2 Chronicles 29:5 · KJV

Context

3

He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.

4

And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street,

5

And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

6

For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. turned their: Heb. given the neck

7

Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel.

Read 2 Chronicles 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 17 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר1 of 17

“And said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָהֶ֖ם2 of 17
H0
שְׁמָע֣וּנִי3 of 17

“unto them Hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הַלְוִיִּ֑ם4 of 17

“me ye Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

עַתָּ֣ה5 of 17
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

וְקַדְּשׁוּ֙6 of 17

“now yourselves and sanctify”

H6942

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

וְקַדְּשׁוּ֙7 of 17

“now yourselves and sanctify”

H6942

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

אֶת8 of 17
H853

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

בֵּ֤ית9 of 17

“the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָה֙10 of 17

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י11 of 17

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֔ם12 of 17

“of your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְהוֹצִ֥יאוּ13 of 17

“and carry forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֶת14 of 17
H853

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

הַנִּדָּ֖ה15 of 17

“the filthiness”

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

מִן16 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַקֹּֽדֶשׁ׃17 of 17

“out of the holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

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 29:5 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 29:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 35:61 Corinthians 3:16-17Ezekiel 8:9-182 Chronicles 34:3-81 Chronicles 15:122 Corinthians 7:1

Places in This Verse

Holy Place 2Room · Modern: Mount Moriah · 31.78°N, 35.24°E23 verses across 8 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 29 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 29 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 29 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes