King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:27 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:27 in the King James Version says “Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his ho...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. his holy: Heb. the habitation of his holiness”

2 Chronicles 30:27 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

27

Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. his holy: Heb. the habitation of his holiness

Read 2 Chronicles 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.

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 · 13 words
וַיָּקֻ֜מוּ1 of 13

“arose”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֤ים2 of 13

“Then the priests”

H3548

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

הַלְוִיִּם֙3 of 13

“the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וַיְבָרֲכ֣וּ4 of 13

“and blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶת5 of 13
H853

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

הָעָ֔ם6 of 13

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וַיִּשָּׁמַ֖ע7 of 13

“was heard”

H8085

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

בְּקוֹלָ֑ם8 of 13

“and their voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וַתָּב֧וֹא9 of 13

“came”

H935

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

תְפִלָּתָ֛ם10 of 13

“and their prayer”

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

לִמְע֥וֹן11 of 13

“dwelling place”

H4583

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

קָדְשׁ֖וֹ12 of 13

“up to his holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

לַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃13 of 13

“even unto heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

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 30:27 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 30:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 26:15Psalms 68:52 Chronicles 23:18Numbers 6:23-26Acts 10:41 Kings 8:30

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