2 Crônicas 29
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 29
NJB (LXX versing) Hezekiah's Good Reign Hezekiah Reigns in Judah Hezekiah Begins His Good Reign by Cleansing the Temple King Hezekiah of Judah Accession of Hezekiah 29:1-2 29:1-2 29:1-2 29:1-2 29:1-2 Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple The Purification of the Temple The Purification of the Temple 29:3-4 29:3-11 29:3-11 29:3-9 29:3-4a Reforms Begin 29:4b-11 29:5-11 29:10-11 29:12-19 29:12-19 29:12-19 29:12-14 29:12-15 29:15-16 29:16-17 29:17 The Temple is Rededicated The Sacrifice of Expiation Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship 29:18-19 29:18-19 29:20-24 29:20-24 29:20-24 29:20-24 29:20-24 29:25-28 29:25-30 29:25-30 29:25-30 29:25-28 The Cult Begins Again 29:29-30 29:29-30 29:31-36 29:31-36 29:31-36 29:31-35a 29:31-35a 29:35b-36 29:35b-36 Etc.
2 Crônicas 29:1-2
29:1 "Hezekiah" The Chronicler presents him as one of the godly kings of Judah (i.e., chapters 29-32). In this chapter, after his coronation year he immediately (i.e., first year, first month, cf. 2 Chr. 29:17) started the restoration of temple worship. The sacred calendar begins with Nisan. The Passover of chapter 30 was on the 14th. 2 Chronicles 29:1 is a typical introduction but this was not a typical king. He was, in the Chronicler's opinion, the most spiritual king since David (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:5). It is surprising that some Hebrew names (i.e., like Joshua) are spelled in different ways. in Kings it is spelled חזקיהו (i.e., 2 Kgs. 16:20; 18:9; 19:1) חזקיה (i.e., 2 Kgs. 18:1) in Chronicles ‒ יחזקיהו The Jewish Study Bible, p. 1808, suggests that the Kings form of the name is older. The name for Israel's covenant Deity, YHWH, is added to names in two ways. a "y" at the beginning "iah" at the end Form #2 has both. The root חזק (BDB 304) means "strong," therefore, the Jewish Study Bible differentiates the meaning "YHWH is my strength" "YHWH is strong" 29:2 Hezekiah followed in the footsteps of his ancestor David. See full note at 2 Chr. 24:2.
2 Crônicas 29:3-4
29:3 The temple had been desecrated and closed by Ahaz (cf. 2 Chr. 28:24). It is surprising how the kings of Judah vacillated between godly king ‒ Jotham, Hezekiah, Josiah evil king ‒ Ahaz, Manessah, Amon 29:4 These priests and Levites would have been out of work. They had to find other jobs to support their families.
2 Crônicas 29:5-11
29:5 Hezekiah issues several orders. listen to me ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE consecrate yourselves ‒ BDB 872, KB 1073, Hithpael IMPERATIVE consecrate the house of the Lord ‒ BDB 872, KB 1073, Piel IMPERATIVE carry uncleanness out from the holy place ‒ BDB 422, KB 425, Hiphil IMPERATIVE "Consecrate" The writings of Moses give some procedures for this, mostly from the original ordination of Aaron and his sons. Exod. 19:10,14 ‒ washed their clothes Exod. 28:41; 29:7; 30:30; Lev. 8:12 ‒ anoint them with oil Exod. 29:1-3,10-18; Lev. 8:20 ‒ sacrifice animals Exod. 29:5-6; 40:13 ‒ put on holy garments Exod. 29:19 ‒ lay hands on sacrifice Exod. 29:20-21 ‒ place blood in special places on the High Priest's body and altar Exod. 29:24-28 ‒ special wave offering ceremony The OT records the call to consecration of people and priests often but does not give the specific elements that are required. God's people must be holy because YHWH is holy. This holiness had several components. ceremonial purification obedience to Mosaic Law willingness to seek YHWH 29:6-7 These verses spell out the sins of the fathers (esp. Ahaz). they have been unfaithful ‒ BDB 591, KB 612, Qal PERFECT, cf. 3 Chr. 26:16,18; 28:19,22; 36:14 they have done evil in the sight of the Lord our God ‒ 2 Chr. 28:2-3,22-25 they have forsaken Him ‒ BDB 736 I, KB 806, Qal IMPERFECT with waw; this is the opposite of "seek." cf. Deut. 28:20; 2 Chr. 15:2; 24:18,20; 28:6; Jdgs. 10:10; Jer. 1:16 they turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord (i.e., abandoned temple worship (cf. 2 Chr. 28:22-25) they turned their backs to YHWH ‒ this is an idiom, "stiff-necked," which denotes someone who is obstinate and unchanging, cf. Exod. 32:8-9; 33:3,5; 34:9; Deut. 9:6; 31:27; 2 Kgs. 17:14; 2 Chr. 30:8; Neh. 9:16,17; Jer. 7:26; 17:23; 19:15; this rebellious stubbornness was a characteristic of YHWH's people from the very beginning they shut the doors of the porch (Ahaz in 2 Chr. 28:24) they put out the lamps they had not burned incense they had not offered burnt offerings (cf. Leviticus 1) SPECIAL TOPIC: LAMPSTAND SPECIAL TOPIC: ALTAR OF INCENSE 29:7 "in the holy place" This designation could refer to the whole temple area the shrine/tent Usually the outer part of the inner tent is called "the holy place"; both priests and Levites could minister there. However, the inner part was the "holy of holies," where only the High Priest could go on the Day of Atonement. In this context, Solomon's temple was defiled and had to be cleaned, so this holy designation was altered until it was reconsecrated. 29:8 This is a theological comment, so common in Chronicles, that relates historical events to disobedience to the covenant (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). YHWH made them an object of terror (lit. "trembling," BDB 266, cf. Deut. 28:25; Jer. 15:4; 24:9; 29:18; 34:17; Ezek. 23:46 YHWH made them an object of horror (lit. "astonishment" or "desolation," BDB 1031 I, cf. Deut. 28:37; 2 Kgs. 22:19; 2 Chr. 30:7; Jer. 5:30; 25:9,11; 29:18; 42:18; 48:12,22; 49:12,17; 50:23; 51:37,41) YHWH made them an object of hissing (BDB 1056, i.e., a sound gesture to denote an object of derision or disgust, cf. 1 Kgs. 9:8; Jer. 18:16; 19:8; 25:9,18; 29:18; 51:37; Lam. 2:15,16; Mic. 6:16) YHWH's covenant people were meant to be a light to the world, a source of revelation of YHWH's character but they had turned into a witness of His justice/judgment, not His mercy. 29:9 The term "captivity" (BDB 985) refers to the exile of Judeans in chapter 28. to Syria ‒ 2 Chr. 28:5 to Israel ‒ 2 Chr. 28:8,11,13,14,15 to Edom ‒ 2 Chr. 28:17 It certainly foreshadows the exile of Israel by Assyria (722 b.c.) and Judah by Babylon (586 b.c.). Exile was one of the consequences of disobedience in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. See 2 Chr. 28:5-8,17. 29:10-11 Hezekiah's message to the priests and Levites continues (2 Chr. 29:4). It is in my heart to make (i.e., renew) a covenant with YHWH. So that His burning anger may turn away from us (BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal JUSSIVE; this root is also used of repentance). "My sons," in context this must refer to the assembled members of the tribe of Levi. do not be negligent ‒ BDB 1017, KB 1502, Niphal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense for YHWH has chosen you to stand before Him (i.e., Num. 3:6-9; 8:14-19)
2 Crônicas 29:12-19
29:15 "consecrated themselves" See note at 2 Chr. 29:5. "to cleanse the house of the Lord" Ahaz had defiled and polluted it (cf. 2 Chr. 28:22-25). 29:16 "the inner part of the house of the Lord" This implies the "holy of holies" but could refer to the whole shrine tent. SPECIAL TOPIC: TABERNACLE (chart) "to carry out to the Kidron valley" The city of Jerusalem had two main valleys. the Kidron, east of the temple the Hinnom, south of the city (cf. 2 Chr. 28:3) Asa destroyed his mother's Asherah. Hezekiah will also destroy the altars of Ahaz (2 Chr. 28:24) there (cf. 2 Chr. 30:14). The Kidron was where the blood from the temple drained. The Valley of Hinnom was the place of Molech worship (cf. 2 Chr. 28:3). 29:17 The Jewish Study Bible, p. 1809, suggests that the timing of v. 17 is purposely related to Exod. 40:17 ‒ day the tabernacle was erected Lev. 8:33-9:24 ‒ the ordination of Aaron and his sons and their first sacrifices 29:18-19 The priests cleansed the altar of burnt offerings, v. 18 reinstituted Levitical music, vv. 25-28 accepted offerings the people brought, vv. 29-36 SPECIAL TOPIC: ALTAR OF SACRIFICE
2 Crônicas 29:20-24
29:20 "Hezekiah arose early" This is a good example of the interpretive issue of word meaning. does this refer to early in the day while it was still cool (literal use)? does it express Hezekiah's sense of urgency, like v. 3 (imagery use)? 29:21 There is a series of sacrifices. seven bulls seven rams seven lambs seven male goats for a sin offering (cf. v. 23) The REB adds the words from v. 24, "the burnt offering," after #3 because only the male goats were used for a "sin offering" (cf. Leviticus 4). However, the same construction is clarified in Ezra 8:35. 29:23 "laid their hands on them" This was done in the ritual to remove sin/guilt from the nation. by the leadership ‒ Lev. 4:13-15 by the High Priest ‒ Lev. 16:21 in the ritual of Num. 8:5-13 the people laid their hands on the Levites, v. 10 the cleansed Levites laid their hands on the head of the bulls, v. 12 SPECIAL TOPIC: LAYING ON OF HANDS IN THE BIBLE 29:24 This was similar to the Day of Atonement. This sacrifice was for all Judah, here called "Israel," because Judah was "the true" Israel of God. SPECIAL TOPIC: ATONEMENT
2 Crônicas 29:25-28
29:25 David began and organized the musical aspect of temple worship. The first instrument used in worship was the trumpet. However, after a military victory, the people of God celebrated with songs and instruments (i.e., Exodus 15; 1 Sam. 18:6,7). Also, David's first attempt to move the ark to Jerusalem was accompanied by songs and music (2 Sam. 6:5), as was the next successful attempt (2 Sam. 6:14). From these uses of song and music, David, the singer of Israel (i.e., 1 Sam. 16:16-18), loved music! This love of music for worship continued to develop throughout his life (i.e., the Psalms). As king he began to organize a musical component within the families of Levites (cf. 1 Chr. 6:31-32; 15:16-22,27; 16:4-6,23) for the future temple. Surely he used them in the tabernacle worship during his long reign. See Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, "Music," pp. 576-578. "His prophets" The people of Israel were all inspired writers as "prophets." Moses ‒ Deut. 18:18 the authors of Joshua through Kings ‒ are called the former prophets David ‒ 1 Chr. 28:19; here David's prophet writing dealt with the structure and procedures of the new temple. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT)
2 Crônicas 29:29-36
29:29-30 There were several postures worshipers used. standing up (BDB 763, KB 840) ‒ 1 Sam. 1:26; 1 Kgs. 8:22; Jer. 18:20 usually with hands and head raised (BDB 831, KB 925) ‒ 1 Kgs. 8:54; Ps. 28:2; 134:2; 141:2; Isa. 1:15; Lam. 2:19 kneeling (BDB 138, KB 159) ‒ 1 Kgs. 8:54; 2 Chr. 6:13 bowing/worshiping גהר (BDB 155, KB 181) ‒ 1 Kgs. 18:42 חוה (BDB 1005, KB 295 II) ‒ 1 Sam. 1:3,19; 1 Chr. 29:20; 2 Chr. 7:3; Ps. 95:6; 99:5,9; 132:7; Jer. 7:2; Ezek. 46:9 כפף (BDB 502, KB 499) ‒ 1 Kgs. 8:54; 2 Chr. 29:29 כפך (BDB 496, KB 493) ‒ Micah 6:6 סגד (BDB 688, KB 741) ‒ always denotes worship (i.e., bowing) before false gods; Isa. 44:15,17,19; 46:6; Dan. 2:46; 3 (several times) קדד (BDB 869, KB 1065) ‒ Exod. 4:21; 12:27; 1 Chr. 29:20; 2 Chr. 29:30 29:31 For the different types of sacrifices see Leviticus 1-7. SPECIAL TOPIC: SACRIFICIAL SYSTEMS OF THE ANE 29:34 The priests killed, skinned, and prepared the animals for mass public sacrifices (i.e., 2 Chr. 29:22,24,34; Ezek. 44:11), but for free will sacrifices, usually the offerer killed, skinned, and cut up the animal (cf. Lev. 1:5-6). "For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests" The Chronicler is very supportive of the Levites. Notice only Levites' families are named in 2 Chr. 29:12-15. In Ezra's day there was a great need for Levites. Often in history they had been neglected and overworked. They were given by God to serve the priests. 29:5 "peace offering" See notes at Leviticus 3. The meat would be shared with all the worshipers! 29:36 "because the thing came about suddenly" This ADVERB (BDB 837) is usually used of the rapid arrival of judgment, but only here is it used of sudden joy over the rapid cleansing, consecration, and restart of temple worship!