Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 29

Introduction

Overview

2 Chronicles 29:1, Hezekiah’s good reign; 2 Chronicles 29:3, He restores religion; 2 Chronicles 29:5, He exhorts the Levites; 2 Chronicles 29:12, They sanctify themselves, and cleanse the house of God 2 Chronicles 29:20, Hezekiah offers solemn sacrifices, wherein the Levites are more forward than the priests.

Verse 1

am 3278-3306, bc 726-698

Hezekiah: 2 Kings 18:1-3, 1 Chronicles 3:13, Isaiah 1:1, Hosea 1:1, Micah 1:1, Matthew 1:9, Matthew 1:10, Ezekias

Zechariah: 2 Chronicles 26:5, Isaiah 8:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:20 - Hezekiah 2 Kings 18:2 - Abi Isaiah 29:13 - their fear Hosea 11:12 - Judah

Verse 2

2 Chronicles 28:1, 2 Chronicles 34:2, 2 Kings 18:3, Of several of Hezekiah's predecessors it had been said that they did that which was right, but not like David, that is, not with David's integrity and zeal.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:14 - as thy 2 Kings 16:2 - did not 2 Kings 22:2 - right

Verse 3

am 3278, bc 726

He in the first: 2 Chronicles 34:3, Psalms 101:3, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Matthew 6:33, Galatians 1:16

opened: 2 Chronicles 29:7, 2 Chronicles 28:24, 2 Kings 16:14-18

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:16 - gold 2 Chronicles 24:5 - gather of all Israel Nehemiah 6:10 - let us shut Ezekiel 18:14 - that seeth

Verse 4

east street: 2 Chronicles 32:6, Nehemiah 3:29, Jeremiah 19:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:42 - General Joshua 3:8 - command 2 Kings 12:4 - said to the priests 1 Chronicles 15:12 - sanctify Nehemiah 12:27 - out Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded Ezekiel 44:10 - the Levites

Verse 5

sanctify now: 2 Chronicles 35:6, Exodus 19:10, Exodus 19:15, 1 Chronicles 15:12

sanctify the house: 2 Chronicles 29:16, 2 Chronicles 34:3-8, Ezekiel 36:25, Matthew 21:12, Matthew 21:13, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 6:16, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 5:26, Ephesians 5:27

carry forth: Ezekiel 8:3, Ezekiel 8:9-18

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:42 - General 1 Chronicles 23:28 - purifying 2 Chronicles 5:11 - sanctified 2 Chronicles 29:15 - sanctified themselves 2 Chronicles 29:34 - the priests 2 Chronicles 35:2 - encouraged Nehemiah 12:30 - themselves Nehemiah 13:9 - they cleansed Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded Ezekiel 44:10 - the Levites Joel 2:16 - sanctify

Verse 6

For our fathers: 2 Chronicles 28:2-4, 2 Chronicles 28:23-25, 2 Chronicles 34:21, Ezra 5:12, Ezra 9:7, Nehemiah 9:16, Nehemiah 9:32, Jeremiah 16:19, Jeremiah 44:21, Lamentations 5:7, Daniel 9:16, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 23:30-32

have forsaken him: Jeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 2:17

turned away: Jeremiah 2:27, Ezekiel 8:16

turned their backs: Heb. given the neck

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:13 - because our fathers Nehemiah 1:6 - both I Jeremiah 26:19 - did he Ezekiel 14:6 - turn Zechariah 1:4 - as

Verse 7

Those, says Matthew Henry, who turn their backs upon God's ordinances, may truly be said to forsake God himself. The lamps were not lighted, and incense was not burnt: there are still such neglects as these, and they are no less culpable, if the Word be not duly read and opened, answering to the lighting of the lamps, and if prayers and praises be not duly offered up, which was signified by the burning of incense. 2 Chronicles 29:3, 2 Chronicles 28:24, Leviticus 24:2-8, 2 Kings 16:17, 2 Kings 16:18, Malachi 1:10

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 29:17 - the porch Nehemiah 6:10 - let us shut Ezekiel 41:2 - the door

Verse 8

Wherefore: 2 Chronicles 24:18, 2 Chronicles 34:24, 2 Chronicles 34:25, 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, Deuteronomy 28:15-20

he hath delivered: It is probable Hezekiah refers to that dreadful defeat by the Israelites, in which one hundred and twenty thousand were slain, and two hundred thousand taken prisoners. See 2 Chronicles 28:6-8.

trouble: Heb. commotion, Deuteronomy 28:25

to astonishment: Leviticus 26:32, Deuteronomy 28:59, 1 Kings 9:8, Jeremiah 18:15, Jeremiah 18:16, Jeremiah 19:8, Jeremiah 25:9, Jeremiah 25:18, Jeremiah 29:18

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 7:21 - astonishment 2 Chronicles 30:7 - as Jeremiah 51:37 - an hissing Micah 6:16 - that Malachi 1:5 - your

Verse 9

our fathers: 2 Chronicles 28:5-8, 2 Chronicles 28:17, Leviticus 26:17, Lamentations 5:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:32 - sons Isaiah 3:25 - Thy men Micah 6:16 - that

Verse 10

Now it is: 2 Chronicles 6:7, 2 Chronicles 6:8

to make a covenant: To renew that covenant under which the whole people were constantly considered, and of which circumcision was the sign, and the spirit of which was, "I will be your God, ye shall be my people." 2 Chronicles 15:12, 2 Chronicles 15:13, 2 Chronicles 23:16, 2 Chronicles 34:30-32, Ezra 10:3, Nehemiah 9:38, Nehemiah 10:1-39, Jeremiah 34:15, Jeremiah 34:18, Jeremiah 50:5, 2 Corinthians 8:5

that his fierce: 2 Kings 23:3, 2 Kings 23:26

Reciprocal: Joshua 24:25 - made 2 Kings 11:4 - made a covenant 2 Kings 11:17 - made a covenant 2 Chronicles 15:15 - rejoiced 2 Chronicles 19:4 - brought 2 Chronicles 30:8 - the fierceness 2 Chronicles 34:31 - made a covenant Ezra 10:14 - the fierce Jeremiah 11:2 - General Jeremiah 34:8 - had

Verse 11

negligent: or, deceived, Galatians 6:7, Galatians 6:8

the Lord: Numbers 3:6-9, Numbers 8:6-14, Numbers 18:2-6, Deuteronomy 10:8

burn incense: or, offer sacrifice, Numbers 16:35-40, Numbers 18:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:29 - God 1 Kings 1:2 - a young virgin 1 Kings 9:25 - he burnt 2 Chronicles 19:4 - brought Zechariah 3:1 - standing Luke 1:9 - his Colossians 4:17 - Take

Verse 12

of the sons: 1 Chronicles 6:19, 1 Chronicles 6:44, 1 Chronicles 15:6, 1 Chronicles 23:21-23

Kohathites: Exodus 6:16-25, Numbers 4:2-20, 1 Chronicles 6:16-18, 1 Chronicles 15:5, 1 Chronicles 23:12-20

of the sons: 1 Chronicles 6:16-18, 1 Chronicles 15:5, 1 Chronicles 23:12-20

of the Gershonites: 1 Chronicles 6:17, 1 Chronicles 6:20, 1 Chronicles 6:21, 1 Chronicles 15:7, 1 Chronicles 23:7-11

Verse 13

Elizaphan: Leviticus 10:4, Elzaphan, 1 Chronicles 15:8

Asaph: 1 Chronicles 6:39, 1 Chronicles 15:17, 1 Chronicles 25:2

Verse 14

Heman: 1 Chronicles 6:33, 1 Chronicles 15:19

Jeduthun: 1 Chronicles 25:1, 1 Chronicles 25:3, 1 Chronicles 25:6

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Heman Zechariah 12:13 - Shimei

Verse 15

sanctified themselves: 2 Chronicles 29:5

by the words of the Lord: or, in the business of the Lord, 2 Chronicles 30:12

to cleanse: 1 Chronicles 23:28

Reciprocal: Joshua 3:8 - command 1 Chronicles 15:14 - sanctified 2 Chronicles 5:11 - sanctified 2 Chronicles 30:15 - and sanctified 2 Chronicles 35:6 - sanctify Nehemiah 13:9 - they cleansed Psalms 119:99 - than all

Verse 16

the priests: The priests and Levites cleansed first the courts both of the priests and of the people. On this labour they spent eight days. Then they cleansed the interior of the temple; but, as the Levites had no right to enter the temple, the priests carried all the dirt and rubbish to the porch, whence they were collected by the Levites, carried away, and cast into the brook Kidron: in this work, eight more days were occupied; and thus the temple was purified in sixteen days.

the inner part: 2 Chronicles 3:8, 2 Chronicles 5:7, Exodus 26:33, Exodus 26:34, 1 Kings 6:19, 1 Kings 6:20, Hebrews 9:2-8, Hebrews 9:23, Hebrews 9:24

all the uncleanness: Ezekiel 36:29, Matthew 21:12, Matthew 21:13, Matthew 23:27

Kidron: 2 Chronicles 15:16, 2 Kings 23:4-6, John 18:1, Cedron

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 2:37 - over the 2 Chronicles 29:5 - sanctify the house 2 Chronicles 30:14 - the brook

Verse 17

the porch: 2 Chronicles 29:7, 2 Chronicles 3:4, 1 Kings 6:3, 1 Chronicles 28:11

the sixteenth: Exodus 12:2-8

Verse 18

the altar: 2 Chronicles 4:1, 2 Chronicles 4:7

the showbread: 2 Chronicles 4:8, 2 Chronicles 13:11

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 23:28 - purifying 1 Chronicles 23:29 - for the showbread 2 Chronicles 15:8 - the altar of the Lord 2 Chronicles 33:16 - repaired

Verse 19

all the vessels: 2 Chronicles 28:24

did cast away: Or, as the LXX, Vulgate, and Targum read, "did pollute," hizneeach, he rendered them so abominable that they were rejected with abhorrence.

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:17 - cut off 1 Chronicles 23:28 - purifying Hebrews 9:21 - General

Verse 20

rose: Genesis 22:3, Exodus 24:4, Joshua 6:12, Jeremiah 25:4

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 23:1 - the king 1 Chronicles 13:1 - consulted 2 Chronicles 1:2 - to the captains

Verse 21

they brought: The law only required one bullock for the sins of the high priest, another for the sins of the people, and one he-goat for the sins of the prince, but Hezekiah offered many more, and the reason appears sufficiently evident: the law only speaks of the sins of ignorance, but here there were sins of every dye, idolatry, apostasy from the Divine worship, profanation of the temple, etc., etc. The sin offerings, we are informed, were offered, first, for the Kingdom, for the transgressions of the king and his family; secondly, for the sanctuary, which had been defiled and polluted; and for the priests, who had been profane, negligent, and unholy; and finally, for Judah, for the whole mass of the people, who had been led away into every kind of abomination by the above examples.

seven: Numbers 23:1, Numbers 23:14, Numbers 23:29, 1 Chronicles 15:26, Ezra 8:35, Job 42:8, Ezekiel 45:23

a sin offering: Leviticus 4:3-14, Numbers 15:22-24, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:21 - a sin offering Leviticus 16:5 - General Numbers 15:24 - one kid 2 Kings 16:15 - the king's burnt 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded Ezra 6:17 - a sin offering

Verse 22

sprinkled: Leviticus 1:5, Leviticus 4:7, Leviticus 4:18, Leviticus 4:34, Leviticus 8:14, Leviticus 8:15, Leviticus 8:19, Leviticus 8:24, Hebrews 9:21, Hebrews 9:22

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 35:11 - the priests

Verse 23

forth: Heb. near

they laid: Leviticus 1:4, Leviticus 4:15, Leviticus 4:24

Reciprocal: Joel 2:16 - sanctify

Verse 24

reconciliation: Leviticus 6:30, Leviticus 8:15, Ezekiel 45:15, Ezekiel 45:17, Daniel 9:24, Romans 5:10, Romans 5:11, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21, Colossians 1:20, Colossians 1:21, Hebrews 2:17

to make: Leviticus 14:20

the sin offering: Leviticus 4:13-35

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:14 - it is a Leviticus 1:4 - atonement 2 Chronicles 31:2 - to give thanks Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded Joel 2:16 - sanctify

Verse 25

And he set: 1 Chronicles 9:33, 1 Chronicles 15:16-22, 1 Chronicles 16:4, 1 Chronicles 16:5, 1 Chronicles 16:42, 1 Chronicles 25:1-7

according: 2 Chronicles 8:14, 2 Chronicles 35:15, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 1 Chronicles 28:12, 1 Chronicles 28:19

Gad: 2 Samuel 24:11, 1 Chronicles 21:9, 1 Chronicles 29:29

Nathan: 2 Samuel 7:2-4, 2 Samuel 12:1-7

for so was: 2 Chronicles 30:12

of the Lord by his prophets: Heb. by the hand of the Lord, by the hand of his prophets.

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 10:5 - a psaltery 1 Samuel 22:4 - in the hold 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 1 Chronicles 23:6 - divided 1 Chronicles 23:30 - stand 2 Chronicles 5:12 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 7:6 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 20:21 - appointed 2 Chronicles 23:18 - by David 2 Chronicles 30:21 - the priests Ezra 3:10 - after the ordinance Psalms 92:3 - instrument Psalms 98:5 - General Psalms 149:3 - with the timbrel Isaiah 64:11 - where Daniel 3:10 - the cornet Revelation 8:2 - trumpets

Verse 26

the instruments: 1 Chronicles 23:5, Psalms 87:7, Psalms 150:3-5, Isaiah 38:20, Amos 6:5

the priests: 2 Chronicles 5:12, 2 Chronicles 5:13, Numbers 10:8, Numbers 10:10, Joshua 6:4-9, 1 Chronicles 15:24, 1 Chronicles 16:6, Psalms 81:3, Psalms 98:5, Psalms 98:6

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 25:1 - harps 2 Chronicles 35:15 - according Ezra 3:10 - after the ordinance

Verse 27

when: Heb. in the time

the song: 2 Chronicles 7:3, 2 Chronicles 20:21, 2 Chronicles 23:18, Psalms 136:1, Psalms 137:3, Psalms 137:4

the instruments: Heb. hands of instruments

Reciprocal: Joshua 3:8 - command 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded Psalms 98:6 - trumpets

Verse 28

And all the congregation: Psalms 68:24-26, Revelation 5:8-14

the singers sang: Heb. song, Psalms 89:15

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:10 - in the day 1 Chronicles 15:16 - the singers Ezekiel 46:10 - General Luke 19:37 - the whole

Verse 29

present: Heb. found

bowed themselves: 2 Chronicles 20:18, 1 Chronicles 29:20, Psalms 72:11, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 16:2 - he blessed 2 Chronicles 6:3 - blessed 2 Chronicles 34:32 - present Ezekiel 46:2 - he shall worship Ezekiel 46:10 - General

Verse 30

with the words: 2 Samuel 23:1, 2 Samuel 23:2, 1 Chronicles 16:7-36

they sang: Psalms 32:11, Psalms 33:1, Psalms 95:1, Psalms 95:2, Psalms 95:6, Psalms 100:1, Psalms 100:2, Psalms 149:2, Philippians 4:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:26 - General Exodus 12:27 - bowed Joshua 3:8 - command 1 Chronicles 6:39 - Asaph 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded Nehemiah 8:6 - bowed Nehemiah 12:27 - out Nehemiah 12:46 - and Asaph Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded Psalms 34:3 - let us Isaiah 38:9 - he had

Verse 31

consecrated yourselves: or, filled your hand, 2 Chronicles 13:9

sacrifices: Leviticus 1:1 - Leviticus 3:17

thank: Leviticus 7:12

and as many: etc. As the burnt offerings were wholly consumed on the altar, the offering of them evinced greater zeal and liberality than the oblation of peace offerings, the greater part of which was eaten by the officer and his friends. Leviticus 1:3, Leviticus 23:38, Ezra 1:4

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 29:33 - the consecrated 2 Chronicles 35:8 - his princes Ezra 3:5 - willingly Ezra 6:17 - offered Ezra 8:35 - offered burnt Jeremiah 33:11 - sacrifice Ezekiel 46:12 - a voluntary Malachi 3:4 - as Hebrews 13:15 - the sacrifice

Verse 32

the number: Comparing the sacrifices offered on this occasion with those of Solomon at the dedication of the temple, we may form some idea of the decrease of the prosperity and riches of Judah, or of the decline of the general spirit of piety. 1 Kings 3:4, 1 Kings 8:63, 1 Chronicles 29:21, Ezra 6:17

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:15 - the king's burnt 2 Chronicles 7:5 - a sacrifice 2 Chronicles 29:35 - the burnt Ezra 3:5 - willingly Ezra 8:35 - offered burnt

Verse 33

the consecrated: It is probable that the consecrated things denote the peace offerings and thank offerings. 2 Chronicles 29:31

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 7:5 - a sacrifice

Verse 34

the priests: Peace offerings, and such like, the Levites might flay and dress; but the whole burnt offerings could only be touched by the priests, except in a case of necessity, such as the present. 2 Chronicles 29:5, 2 Chronicles 30:16, 2 Chronicles 30:17

their brethren: 2 Chronicles 35:11, Numbers 8:15, Numbers 8:19, Numbers 18:3, Numbers 18:6, Numbers 18:7

did help them: Heb. strengthened them

for the Levites: 2 Chronicles 30:3

upright: 1 Chronicles 29:17, Psalms 7:10, Psalms 26:6, Psalms 94:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:10 - sanctify 2 Kings 12:6 - the priests 1 Chronicles 15:14 - sanctified 2 Chronicles 5:11 - sanctified 2 Chronicles 30:15 - were ashamed 2 Chronicles 30:24 - a great 2 Chronicles 35:6 - sanctify Ezra 6:20 - purified together Nehemiah 12:30 - themselves Ezekiel 44:11 - shall slay Acts 6:7 - the priests

Verse 35

the burnt: 2 Chronicles 29:32

the fat: Exodus 29:13, Leviticus 3:15, Leviticus 3:16

the drink: Genesis 35:14, Leviticus 23:13, Numbers 15:5-10

so the: 1 Chronicles 16:37-42, Ezra 6:18, 1 Corinthians 14:40

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:15 - the king's burnt Nehemiah 12:43 - offered Colossians 2:5 - and beholding

Verse 36

Hezekiah rejoiced: Both Hezekiah and the people rejoiced, that God had prepared the hearts of the people to bring about so great and glorious a reformation in so short a time. This good king's example and influence were here, as in many other cases, under God, the grand spring of all those mighty movements. 1 Chronicles 29:9, 1 Chronicles 29:17, Ezra 6:22, 1 Thessalonians 3:8, 1 Thessalonians 3:9

God: 2 Chronicles 30:12, 1 Chronicles 29:18, Psalms 10:17, Proverbs 16:1

the thing: Acts 2:41

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:12 - And ye 1 Kings 8:66 - joyful 2 Chronicles 7:10 - glad 2 Chronicles 15:15 - rejoiced Nehemiah 4:6 - had a mind Nehemiah 12:43 - offered Luke 1:17 - to make Luke 19:37 - the whole