King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:21 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:21 in the King James Version says “And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladn... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. present: Heb. found loud: Heb. instruments of strength

2 Chronicles 30:21 · KJV


Context

19

That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.

20

And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

21

And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. present: Heb. found loud: Heb. instruments of strength

22

And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers. comfortably: Heb. to the heart of all

23

And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Joy of renewed worship despite irregularities. 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
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֣וּ1 of 21

kept

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

בְנֵֽי2 of 21

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל3 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הַנִּמְצְאִ֨ים4 of 21

that were present

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֜ם5 of 21

at Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֶת6 of 21
H853

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

חַ֧ג7 of 21

the feast

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

הַמַּצּ֛וֹת8 of 21

of unleavened bread

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

שִׁבְעַ֥ת9 of 21

seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

בְּי֞וֹם10 of 21

by day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בְּשִׂמְחָ֣ה11 of 21

gladness

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

גְדוֹלָ֑ה12 of 21

with great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וּֽמְהַלְלִ֣ים13 of 21

praised

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

לַֽיהוָֽה׃14 of 21

the LORD

H3068

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

בְּי֞וֹם15 of 21

by day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בְּי֞וֹם16 of 21

by day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַלְוִיִּ֧ם17 of 21

and the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִ֛ים18 of 21

and the priests

H3548

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

בִּכְלֵי19 of 21

instruments

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

עֹ֖ז20 of 21

singing with loud

H5797

strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)

לַֽיהוָֽה׃21 of 21

the LORD

H3068

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


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 30:21 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 30:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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