2 Chronicles 29 15

2 Chronicles 29:15 kjv

And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 29:15 nkjv

And they gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves, and went according to the commandment of the king, at the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 29:15 niv

When they had assembled their fellow Levites and consecrated themselves, they went in to purify the temple of the LORD, as the king had ordered, following the word of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 29:15 esv

They gathered their brothers and consecrated themselves and went in as the king had commanded, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 29:15 nlt

These men called together their fellow Levites, and they all purified themselves. Then they began to cleanse the Temple of the LORD, just as the king had commanded. They were careful to follow all the LORD's instructions in their work.

2 Chronicles 29 verses

2 Chronicles 29 15 Meaning

This verse describes the obedient action of the Levites during King Hezekiah's reign. They responsibly assembled their fellow Levites, underwent ritual purification and consecration for sacred service, and then proceeded into the Temple. Their actions were not merely an arbitrary choice but a direct fulfillment of the king's order, which itself was based on and justified by a divine mandate from the LORD, all for the explicit purpose of cleansing and purifying the desecrated house of God.

2 Chronicles 29 15 Context

Chapter 29 opens with Hezekiah's righteous reign, immediately contrasting with his wicked father Ahaz. One of his first acts as king (in the very first month of his first year) was to reopen and repair the doors of the LORD's house, which had been shut by Ahaz. Recognizing the spiritual declension of Judah and the desecration of the Temple, Hezekiah urgently called the priests and Levites, rebuking them for their neglect and challenging them to consecrate themselves and the Temple. Verse 15 details the Levites' initial response to this royal and divine summons, indicating their willingness to obey and prepare for the sacred task of cleansing the Temple from the idolatrous practices introduced by previous kings. This purification was critical to restore proper worship and the covenant relationship between God and His people, demonstrating the pivotal role of the Levites in upholding Israel's spiritual integrity.

2 Chronicles 29 15 Word Analysis

• They gathered their brothers: This highlights unity and collective action. The task of cleansing the large Temple was monumental, requiring many hands working together. It signifies the Levites, who were spread across the land and various Levitical cities, coming together under one purpose as a family or fraternity dedicated to divine service. This indicates a well-organized and responsive priesthood, essential for the spiritual health of the nation.
• and consecrated themselves: (וַיִּתְקַדְּשׁוּ - vayyitqadashu). The Hebrew verb qadash means "to be holy," "to set apart," or "to purify for sacred use." Here, in the Hitpael stem, it denotes reflexive action – "they consecrated themselves." This involves undergoing specific rituals of purification (washing, changing clothes, perhaps offering sacrifices) as prescribed in the Mosaic Law for those performing sacred duties (Exod 19:10-14, Lev 8). It emphasizes personal spiritual and ritual readiness before engaging in divine service, reflecting the requirement of holiness to approach or serve a holy God. Their defilement came from previous idolatry.
• and went in: This refers to their physical entry into the Temple compound and potentially the Temple itself. This action follows their self-consecration, symbolizing their readiness to enter the sacred space now that they are ritually pure and authorized. Their entry implies reclaiming the desecrated space for sacred use.
• as the king had commanded: Hezekiah's command was the direct catalyst for their action. This acknowledges the king's legitimate authority in matters of religious reform and his divinely appointed role as head of the nation. Unlike previous wicked kings, Hezekiah uses his authority to promote righteousness and restored worship, rather than idolatry.
• by the word of the LORD: (בְּדַבַר יְהוָה - be-davar YHWH). This is a crucial phrase. It clarifies that Hezekiah's command was not an arbitrary decision but was rooted in divine revelation and instruction. It signifies that the cleansing of the Temple and the restoration of pure worship were mandated by God Himself. This authenticates the king's actions and gives them ultimate authority and righteousness, preventing the act from being a mere human initiative. This phrase underpins the theological significance, presenting Hezekiah as a faithful executor of God’s will, reinforcing a core Deuteronomistic theme of blessings for obedience.
• to cleanse: (לְטַהֵר - letaher). The Hebrew verb tahar means "to make clean," "to purify," "to declare pure." It refers to both ritual and moral purification. In this context, it specifically addresses the physical removal of defiling elements from the Temple—idolatrous altars, symbols, and perhaps debris left from years of neglect and pagan practices—making it ritually acceptable again for the LORD's presence and worship. This signifies restoration and eradication of sin's residue.
• the house of the LORD: This refers to the Solomonic Temple in Jerusalem, the physical dwelling place for God's Name and the central site of Israelite worship, now in a state of profanation. The meticulous restoration of this physical space mirrored the desire for spiritual restoration within the nation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They gathered their brothers and consecrated themselves": This grouping emphasizes both community and personal responsibility in serving God. The Levites understood that collective effort combined with individual purity was essential for the daunting task ahead. Their act of "consecrating themselves" wasn't just a physical ritual but implied a spiritual preparation, setting themselves apart from sin and towards God's service.
• "and went in, as the king had commanded by the word of the LORD": This segment highlights obedient submission to divinely-appointed authority. The Levites didn't just obey Hezekiah, but through him, they were obeying God. This establishes the legitimacy and sacredness of the entire cleansing operation. It underscores the importance of a leader aligning their directives with God's revealed will, and the people's willingness to follow that divinely-backed leadership.
• "to cleanse the house of the LORD": This directly states the core purpose and objective. It was a mission focused on restoring the holiness and functional purity of the sacred sanctuary, demonstrating a clear focus on the sanctity of God's dwelling place. This act was not superficial but aimed at fundamental removal of all defilement so that proper, unhindered worship could resume.

2 Chronicles 29 15 Bonus Section

• Promptness of Action: While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the larger context of 2 Chronicles 29 shows remarkable speed and resolve. Hezekiah began his reforms in the very first month of his reign, and the Levites immediately responded, indicating their earnest desire for restoration.
• A Fulfillment of Covenant Obligations: The cleansing was not merely practical; it was a return to covenant stipulations found in the Torah, which outlined the purity required for the Tabernacle/Temple and its service. Their actions rectified years of neglect and active defiance of God's commands under previous kings.
• Anticipation of Future Purification: The actions of the Levites in 2 Chronicles 29:15 foreshadow future spiritual purification, both within Israel and in a broader eschatological sense. Prophets like Malachi speak of a coming purification of the "sons of Levi" by God Himself, refining them like gold and silver (Mal 3:3), indicating an even deeper spiritual cleansing than ritualistic one. Similarly, New Testament theology points to the internal purification of believers through Christ's sacrifice, making them spiritual temples for the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) who need to "cleanse themselves from every defilement of body and spirit" (2 Cor 7:1).

2 Chronicles 29 15 Commentary

2 Chronicles 29:15 serves as a pivotal moment in Hezekiah's temple restoration project. It encapsulates the prompt and principled obedience of the Levites in response to Hezekiah's divinely sanctioned command. The verse emphasizes several key theological truths: the necessity of purity for divine service, the proper function of divinely appointed leadership (like Hezekiah), and the essential role of God's "word" in guiding and authorizing all legitimate worship and reform.

The Levites' self-consecration was not a mere formality but a profound act of re-dedication and spiritual purification, essential given the defilement the Temple had endured. This highlights that access to and service within God's presence demand a sanctified state, reflecting the holy nature of God Himself. Their unified effort signifies the corporate responsibility of the priesthood in maintaining the purity of worship. The phrase "by the word of the LORD" validates Hezekiah's mandate, illustrating that true revival and reform flow from divine revelation, not human innovation. The physical cleansing of the Temple becomes a symbol of the spiritual cleansing desired for the nation, setting the stage for renewed covenant faithfulness and celebration like the subsequent Passover.