2 Chronicles 29:11 kjv
My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.
2 Chronicles 29:11 nkjv
My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense."
2 Chronicles 29:11 niv
My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him and serve him, to minister before him and to burn incense."
2 Chronicles 29:11 esv
My sons, do not now be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him."
2 Chronicles 29:11 nlt
My sons, do not neglect your duties any longer! The LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him, and to lead the people in worship and present offerings to him."
2 Chronicles 29 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:6 | “Bring the tribe of Levi near and present them to Aaron the priest, that they may serve him.” | Levites chosen for service. |
| Num 8:14 | “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine.” | Levites consecrated to the Lord. |
| Deut 10:8 | “At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark... and to minister to him...” | Levitical purpose confirmed. |
| 1 Chr 23:28 | “For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord...” | Levitical duties in the Temple. |
| Mal 2:7 | “For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth...” | Priest's duty of faithfulness. |
| Exod 28:1 | “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to minister to me as priests...” | Aaronic priesthood called to minister. |
| Exod 30:7-8 | “Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it every morning... When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn it...” | Priestly duty of burning incense. |
| Psa 141:2 | “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!” | Incense symbolizing prayer. |
| Rom 12:11 | “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” | Diligence in spiritual service. |
| Col 3:23-24 | “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... You are serving the Lord Christ.” | Work heartily for the Lord. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” | Faithfulness in service. |
| Matt 25:21 | “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little...” | Reward for faithful service. |
| Prov 18:9 | “Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.” | Warning against idleness/negligence. |
| Jer 48:10 | “Cursed be he who does the work of the Lord with slackness...” | Divine disapproval of negligent work. |
| Hag 1:5-9 | “Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways... You looked for much, and behold, it came to little.” | Consequences of neglecting God's house. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | “...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices...” | Believers as spiritual priests. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession...” | Believers as a chosen priesthood. |
| Heb 13:15 | “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” | New Covenant spiritual offerings. |
| Rev 5:8 | “...each had a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” | Incense representing prayers in NT. |
| 2 Tim 1:9 | “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace...” | Divine call and purpose. |
| Eph 1:4 | “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” | Chosen before creation. |
| Psa 93:5 | “Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.” | Holiness in God's house. |
2 Chronicles 29 verses
2 Chronicles 29 11 Meaning
King Hezekiah, early in his reign, passionately exhorts the Levites and priests, reminding them of their sacred, God-ordained duty. He urges them to immediately cast off any negligence or delay in their responsibilities within the Temple, stressing that their position is not arbitrary but arises from the Lord’s specific choice. This divine election privileges them to stand in His holy presence, to perform all their varied priestly duties, and specifically highlights their vital role as ministers who offer incense, symbolizing the prayers and worship of the people before God. This call underscores the urgency of spiritual restoration and faithful service after years of neglect.
2 Chronicles 29 11 Context
This verse occurs early in the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, circa 715 BC. It is a powerful exhortation addressed by the newly crowned king directly to the Levites and priests. His father, Ahaz, had reigned for 16 years marked by extreme idolatry, pagan sacrifices (even of his own sons), and a deliberate abandonment of the Temple. The doors of the Lord's house had been shut, its implements neglected, and pure worship replaced by defiling practices. Hezekiah, immediately upon ascending the throne, demonstrates a radical departure from his father’s ways. His first act is not a military campaign, but the urgent purification and rededication of the Temple. In 2 Chronicles 29, Hezekiah convenes the Levites, challenges them to sanctify themselves and the Temple, reminding them of the divine wrath their ancestors faced due to similar negligence. Verse 11 captures the urgency and spiritual weight of his call, directly preceding their prompt and dedicated work in cleansing the temple.
2 Chronicles 29 11 Word analysis
- My sons (בָּנַי, bānay): This is a term of affection, counsel, and gentle authority. Hezekiah, as king and a shepherd over his people, addresses the Levites with paternal care, indicating a heartfelt appeal rather than just a cold command. It emphasizes a personal and committed relationship, and the king's deep concern for their spiritual state and function.
- do not be negligent (אַל-תִּפְּשׁוּ, al-tippshû): Derived from the root רָפָה (raphah), meaning "to slacken, let drop, grow faint, be idle." This is a forceful negative command against spiritual lethargy, carelessness, or a passive disengagement from their duties. It directly contrasts the spiritual apathy and active apostasy of the previous reign under King Ahaz, serving as a powerful call to decisive and immediate action, not mere avoidance of wrongdoing. Neglect, in God’s service, can be as damaging as outright rebellion.
- now (עַתָּה, ‘attah): An adverb denoting immediate urgency. There is no time for hesitation or procrastination in the crucial task of restoring true worship and holiness. It underscores that opportunities for obedience and spiritual reform are often time-sensitive and must be seized with vigor.
- for the Lord has chosen you (כִּי בָכֶם בָּחַר יְהוָה, ki vachem bachar YHWH): This phrase highlights the foundational truth of their calling: it originates from divine election, not human merit or appointment. "Chosen" (בָּחַר, bachar) signifies God's deliberate and sovereign selection for a specific sacred purpose. The mention of "YHWH" emphasizes that their call comes from the covenant-keeping God of Israel. This truth elevates their responsibility, as it’s a privilege conferred by God Himself. This also indirectly serves as a polemic against pagan beliefs where deities were appeased, or positions obtained by human machinations; here, YHWH’s choice is purposeful and non-negotiable.
- to stand before him (לַעֲמֹד לְפָנָיו, la‘amōd lᵉfānāw): "To stand" (עָמַד, ‘amad) indicates serving in an official capacity, much like an attendant or minister serving in the presence of a king. "Before him" denotes proximity and access to God's presence, signifying a sacred privilege. Only those consecrated could serve in this immediate and intimate relationship with the Divine presence in the Temple.
- to minister to him (לְשָׁרְתֹו, lᵉshārᵉtô): From the root שָׁרַת (sharat), meaning "to serve, attend upon, minister to." This encompasses the broad spectrum of Levitical and priestly duties in the Temple: caring for its sanctity, preparing sacrifices, maintaining order, instructing the people, and performing the sacred rites.
- and to be his ministers (וּלְמְשָׁרְתִים, u'lᵉmᵉshar'tim): This seemingly redundant phrase (after "to minister to him") reinforces and clarifies their ongoing identity and profession. "Ministers" (mᵉshar'thim) acts as a noun here, indicating their designated role and established identity as permanent, dedicated servants of God, not just carrying out a temporary task. This reiterates that their service defines their very being and vocation.
- and incense burners (וְלַקְטִיר, vᵉlaqqᵉṭir): Derived from the root קָטַר (qatar), specifically meaning "to burn incense." This highlights a distinct and highly privileged aspect of the Aaronic priestly duties. Incense burning symbolized ascending prayers and worship to God, and required immense purity and sanctity (as exemplified by the judgment on Nadab and Abihu for unauthorized fire, Lev 10). By specifying this, Hezekiah underscores the profound spiritual and symbolic importance of their precise duties, particularly those of worship and intercession. It also points to the vital link between the people's spiritual life and their consecrated leaders.
2 Chronicles 29 11 Bonus section
- The phrase "chosen you to stand before him to minister to him" is a canonical description of the Levitical and priestly office, consistently used throughout scripture (e.g., Deut 10:8, 1 Chr 23:13) to establish the divine origin and sacred nature of their role.
- Hezekiah’s "My sons" mirrors how revered figures often addressed those under their spiritual authority, evoking mentorship and a generational passing of the torch of faith and service (e.g., Psa 34:11, Prov 1:8).
- The immediate contrast between the urgency of "now" and the historical "negligence" of previous generations creates a powerful rhetorical pivot, calling for a swift break from spiritual declension.
- While "incense burners" explicitly points to a priestly (Aaronic) function, the general address to "Levites" by Hezekiah can imply either a general inclusion of all Temple functionaries or specifically target the priests within the Levites, reminding them of this preeminent ritual duty that symbolizes the direct communication and intercession with God.
2 Chronicles 29 11 Commentary
Hezekiah’s urgent address to the Levites in 2 Chronicles 29:11 serves as a profound foundational charge for faithful service. It is a clarion call to shake off any remnants of spiritual complacency inherited from the preceding apostasy, emphasizing that diligent and immediate action is paramount. The king reminds them that their office is a divine election, not a human appointment, imbuing their service with ultimate sacredness and significance. This divine choice places them in a position of unique proximity to God—"to stand before him"—highlighting their immense privilege and the inherent holiness demanded by such an intimate relationship. Their duties as "ministers" span the full range of sacred service, with the explicit mention of "incense burners" signifying their crucial role in facilitating worship and bringing the people's prayers into God's presence. This verse transcends a mere command for ritual cleanliness; it is a summons to live out one's divine calling with an uncompromised commitment and an acute awareness of accountability to God Himself, against all forms of spiritual slackness.