King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 5:13 Mean?

2 Chronicles 5:13 in the King James Version says “It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking ... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

2 Chronicles 5:13 · KJV


Context

11

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: present: Heb. found

12

Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

13

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

14

So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The temple dedication climax 'it came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD... the house was filled with a cloud' links unified worship with divine presence. The phrase 'as one' (k'echad) emphasizes harmony - multiple voices/instruments creating singular praise. The cloud (Shekinah glory) manifests God's approval and presence, echoing Exodus 40:34-35 when glory filled the tabernacle. This demonstrates that true worship unites God's people and attracts His manifest presence. The New Testament fulfillment occurs at Pentecost when the Spirit fills the gathered church (Acts 2).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The temple dedication (c. 960 BCE) represented Israel's worship zenith - perfect structure, unified praise, and divine glory. This golden moment, though eventually lost through sin and exile, established the pattern of corporate worship's power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does unity in worship - 'as one' - affect God's manifest presence in corporate gatherings?
  2. What divisions or discord in your church hinder the Spirit's full work among you?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 28
H1961

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

אֶחָ֗ד2 of 28

to make one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לַמְחַצְּצרִ֨ים3 of 28

It came even to pass as the trumpeters

H2690

to trumpet, i.e., blow on that instrument

וְלַמְשֹֽׁרֲרִ֜ים4 of 28

and singers

H7891

to sing

לְהַשְׁמִ֣יעַ5 of 28

to be heard

H8085

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

ק֠וֹל6 of 28

sound

H6963

a voice or sound

אֶחָ֗ד7 of 28

to make one

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וּבְהַלֵּ֤ל8 of 28

and 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

וּלְהֹדוֹת֮9 of 28

and thanking

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

יְהוָֽה׃10 of 28

of the LORD

H3068

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

וּכְהָרִ֣ים11 of 28

and when they lifted up

H7311

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

ק֠וֹל12 of 28

sound

H6963

a voice or sound

בַּחֲצֹֽצְר֨וֹת13 of 28

with the trumpets

H2689

a trumpet (from its sundered or quavering note)

וּבִמְצִלְתַּ֜יִם14 of 28

and cymbals

H4700

(only dual) double tinklers, i.e., cymbals

וּבִכְלֵ֣י15 of 28

and instruments

H3627

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

הַשִּׁ֗יר16 of 28

of musick

H7892

a song; abstractly, singing

וּבְהַלֵּ֤ל17 of 28

and 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

יְהוָֽה׃18 of 28

of the LORD

H3068

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

כִּ֣י19 of 28
H3588

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

ט֔וֹב20 of 28

saying For he is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

כִּ֥י21 of 28
H3588

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

לְעוֹלָ֖ם22 of 28

endureth for ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

חַסְדּ֑וֹ23 of 28

for his mercy

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

בֵּ֥ית24 of 28

even the house

H1004

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

מָלֵ֥א25 of 28

was filled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

עָנָ֖ן26 of 28

with a cloud

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

בֵּ֥ית27 of 28

even the house

H1004

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

יְהוָֽה׃28 of 28

of 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 5:13 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 5:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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