King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:24 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:24 in the King James Version says “For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes ga...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. did give: Heb. lifted up, or, offered gave: Heb. lifted up, or, offered”

2 Chronicles 30:24 · KJV

Context

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.

24

For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. did give: Heb. lifted up, or, offered gave: Heb. lifted up, or, offered

25

And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

26

So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.

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 · 22 words
כִּ֣י1 of 22
H3588

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

חִזְקִיָּ֣הוּ2 of 22

“For Hezekiah”

H2396

chizkijah, a king of judah, also the name of two other israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ3 of 22

“king”

H4428

a king

יְ֠הוּדָה4 of 22

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הֵרִ֤ימוּ5 of 22

“did give”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

לַקָּהָל֙6 of 22

“to the congregation”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

אֲלָפִ֑ים7 of 22

“a thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

פָּרִ֣ים8 of 22

“bullocks”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

וְשִׁבְעַ֣ת9 of 22

“and seven”

H7651

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

אֲלָפִ֑ים10 of 22

“a thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְצֹ֖אן11 of 22

“sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וְהַשָּׂרִ֞ים12 of 22

“and the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הֵרִ֤ימוּ13 of 22

“did give”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

לַקָּהָל֙14 of 22

“to the congregation”

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

פָּרִ֣ים15 of 22

“bullocks”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

אֲלָפִ֑ים16 of 22

“a thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְצֹ֖אן17 of 22

“sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת18 of 22

“and ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲלָפִ֑ים19 of 22

“a thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וַיִּֽתְקַדְּשׁ֥וּ20 of 22

“sanctified”

H6942

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

כֹֽהֲנִ֖ים21 of 22

“of priests”

H3548

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

לָרֹֽב׃22 of 22

“and a great number”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

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 30:24 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 30:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 29:342 Chronicles 35:7-8Ezekiel 45:17Ephesians 4:82 Chronicles 30:31 Chronicles 29:3-9

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