2 Chronicles 29 16

2 Chronicles 29:16 kjv

And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.

2 Chronicles 29:16 nkjv

Then the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and brought out all the debris that they found in the temple of the LORD to the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it out and carried it to the Brook Kidron.

2 Chronicles 29:16 niv

The priests went into the sanctuary of the LORD to purify it. They brought out to the courtyard of the LORD's temple everything unclean that they found in the temple of the LORD. The Levites took it and carried it out to the Kidron Valley.

2 Chronicles 29:16 esv

The priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it and carried it out to the brook Kidron.

2 Chronicles 29:16 nlt

The priests went into the sanctuary of the Temple of the LORD to cleanse it, and they took out to the Temple courtyard all the defiled things they found. From there the Levites carted it all out to the Kidron Valley.

2 Chronicles 29 verses

2 Chronicles 29 16 Meaning

This verse details the methodical process of purification of the Jerusalem Temple initiated by King Hezekiah. It describes the priests entering the inner consecrated areas to remove every ritually unclean object. These defiled items were then brought out by the priests to the Temple courtyard. From there, the Levites took charge, carrying them entirely out of the sacred precinct and the city itself, depositing them in the Kidron Valley, a designated place for discarded abominations and impurities. This meticulous act signifies a restoration of proper worship and covenant purity after widespread idolatry and defilement.

2 Chronicles 29 16 Context

2 Chronicles 29 begins with King Hezekiah, son of Ahaz, ascending to the throne of Judah. Unlike his wicked father, who shut the Temple doors and led the nation into idolatry (2 Chr 28), Hezekiah immediately, in the very first month of his reign, demonstrated a fervent desire to restore the proper worship of the Lord. He initiated a religious reformation, starting with the cleansing and reconsecration of the Temple, which had been thoroughly defiled during Ahaz's reign. This verse (29:16) describes the climactic stage of the physical cleansing process, highlighting the division of labor between the priests and the Levites, underscoring the severity of the Temple's defilement, and preparing the way for the sacrifices of reconsecration that would follow. The action of removing the "unclean thing" speaks to the defilement accumulated from years of neglect and pagan practices introduced into the very sanctuary of God.

2 Chronicles 29 16 Word analysis

• The priests (הַכֹּהֲנִים - ha-kohanim): Refers to the descendants of Aaron, authorized by God for sacred duties within the tabernacle and later the Temple. They were uniquely qualified and mandated by Mosaic law to handle the inner sanctuary and sacred vessels, and to discern ritual purity, making their role central to this cleansing operation. Their ability to enter the "inner part" speaks to their direct access and responsibility.
• went into the inner part (בָּאוּ פְנִימָה - ba'u fənima): Fənima means "inward" or "interior." This specifies their entry beyond the main court, likely into the Holy Place (the outer chamber of the Temple proper) where the lampstand, table of showbread, and altar of incense were located. This was the most holy area priests could access daily. It emphasizes the depth of the defilement, reaching even these sacred spaces.
• of the house of the Lord (לְבֵית יְהוָה - ləveit YHWH): "House of the Lord" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This phrase reiterates the specific location of the cleansing, emphasizing that God's own dwelling place was polluted.
• to cleanse it (לְטַהֲרָהּ - ləṭāhărāh): From the root ṭahar, meaning "to be clean," "purify," "declare clean." This is a crucial Levitical term for ritual purification, signifying the removal of ceremonial impurity to render something fit for holy use and God's presence. It was not merely cleaning, but a holy act to remove ceremonial defilement.
• and every unclean thing (וְכָל טֻמְאָה - vəḵol ṭu'ma'ah): Ṭu'ma'ah means "uncleanness," "impurity," "defilement." This denotes anything ritually defiled by pagan practices, idols, forbidden sacrifices, or accumulated ceremonial impurities according to Mosaic law. This implies a thorough, exhaustive cleansing, removing everything that desecrated the sacred space.
• that they found in the temple of the Lord (אֲשֶׁר מָצְאוּ בְּמִקְדַּשׁ יְהוָה - 'asher mats'u bəmiqdash YHWH): Miqdash refers to "sanctuary," highlighting the sacredness of the defiled place. The act of "finding" suggests discovery of hidden or accumulated impurities from prolonged neglect under King Ahaz.
• they brought out (הוֹצִיאוּ - hotzi'u): To bring forth, lead out. This marks the initial stage of removal from the most sacred areas.
• to the court of the house of the Lord (לַחֲצַר בֵּית יְהוָה - laḥaṣar beit YHWH): The "court" (specifically the inner court for priests) was an intermediate area. It was still within the Temple complex but less sacred than the Holy Place. This shows a systematic, layered approach to the cleansing, moving defilement progressively outwards.
• and the Levites took it (וַיְקַח הַלְוִיִּם - vayeqach haLviyim): The Levites, descendants of Levi, served as assistants to the priests. While priests performed duties inside the Holy Place, Levites handled many of the practical, often laborious tasks associated with the Temple's upkeep, especially the movement and disposal of materials that did not require direct priestly consecration. This reflects the division of labor ordained by God.
• and carried it out (לַנַּחַל קִדְרוֹן - lannachal Qidron): This indicates their role in the complete removal.
• to the Kidron Valley (וַיַּשְׁלִיכוּ אֶל - vayyashliku el): The Kidron Valley (or Brook Kidron) lies immediately east of Jerusalem. It was traditionally a site for the disposal of defiled objects and idols (e.g., 1 Kgs 15:13, 2 Kgs 23:4-6, 12; Jer 31:40), symbolizing complete removal, separation from the holy city, and rejection.

• "The priests went into...to cleanse it": Emphasizes the priestly authority and primary responsibility for sacred space purification. It signifies a profound commitment to restore ritual purity where God dwells.
• "inner part...every unclean thing...in the temple of the Lord": This phrase highlights the pervasive nature of the defilement, reaching even the most consecrated areas, requiring a meticulous and thorough clean-up.
• "they brought out to the court...and the Levites took it and carried it out": Demonstrates the ordained division of labor in Temple service, where priests performed tasks requiring ritual holiness inside, while Levites handled the more physical aspects of removal and transport, including dealing with the unclean outside the immediate Temple area. This progression from inner sanctum to outer court to beyond the city signifies complete removal and eradication of impurity.
• "to the Kidron Valley": This destination symbolizes the total banishment of impurities from the holy city, reflecting both judgment against sin and commitment to complete purity. It was the historical 'dumping ground' for idol-related waste.

2 Chronicles 29 16 Bonus section

The act of taking the impurities specifically to the Kidron Valley, outside the holy city of Jerusalem, served a strong theological and symbolic purpose. It ensured that the defilement was not merely moved but completely separated from God's presence and His covenant people. This thoroughness highlighted the severe nature of Temple defilement and the King's commitment to radical obedience. The purification also served as a vivid object lesson for the people of Judah, demonstrating the consequences of their apostasy and the imperative to completely renounce idols and unholy practices. It was a visible demonstration of turning back from national sin. This account from Chronicles also highlights the practical aspects of adherence to Mosaic law and priestly regulations even during times of national spiritual crisis.

2 Chronicles 29 16 Commentary

2 Chronicles 29:16 describes a pivotal step in King Hezekiah's spiritual revival, where the desecrated Temple is purified. This was no superficial cleaning but a meticulous, step-by-step restoration of ritual holiness, in stark contrast to King Ahaz's idolatry. The sequence of priests taking the "unclean thing" from the "inner part" to the "court," and then the Levites carrying it to the Kidron Valley, signifies an exhaustive purging of every impurity. It underscores the biblical principle that God's dwelling place must be undefiled to receive His presence and favor. This physical act of cleansing foreshadows the deeper spiritual purification that God desires for His people, making way for genuine worship and the restoration of a right relationship with Him, reminiscent of Christ's zeal for His Father's house.