2 Chronicles 29:25 kjv
And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.
2 Chronicles 29:25 nkjv
And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the LORD by His prophets.
2 Chronicles 29:25 niv
He stationed the Levites in the temple of the LORD with cymbals, harps and lyres in the way prescribed by David and Gad the king's seer and Nathan the prophet; this was commanded by the LORD through his prophets.
2 Chronicles 29:25 esv
And he stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king's seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the LORD through his prophets.
2 Chronicles 29:25 nlt
King Hezekiah then stationed the Levites at the Temple of the LORD with cymbals, lyres, and harps. He obeyed all the commands that the LORD had given to King David through Gad, the king's seer, and the prophet Nathan.
2 Chronicles 29 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chr 15:16 | David also spoke to the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their relatives the singers... with musical instruments, harps, lyres, and cymbals. | David appointed Levite musicians |
| 1 Chr 23:5 | 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 praised the Lord with instruments that I made for giving praise. | David made instruments for praise |
| 1 Chr 25:1 | David and the commanders of the army set apart for service some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, harps, and cymbals. | David organized prophetic musicians |
| 2 Chr 7:6 | The Levites also stood with the musical instruments of the Lord, which King David had made to give thanks... | David's instruments in Solomon's Temple |
| Neh 12:45 | They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the command of David and of Solomon his son. | David's and Solomon's ordinances |
| Ezra 3:10 | When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites... with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the direction of David king of Israel. | David's direction for Temple music |
| Psa 150:3-5 | Praise Him with the blast of the horn; Praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; Praise Him with loud clashing cymbals. | Praise with diverse instruments |
| Psa 33:2-3 | Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song... | Praise with harp and lyre |
| Psa 92:3 | With a ten-stringed instrument and with the harp, with melodious music on the lyre. | Melodious music with harp/lyre |
| Amos 6:5 | Those who devise instruments of music like David... | David's music, a warning against misuse |
| Num 8:19 | I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the sons of Israel, to perform the service of the sons of Israel... | Levites for sanctuary service |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up a prophet for them from among their fellow Israelites, like you, and I will put My words in his mouth. | God raises prophets |
| 2 Sam 7:2-3 | David said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God is dwelling within tent curtains." Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your mind, for the Lord is with you." | Nathan, the prophet of David |
| 1 Sam 22:5 | But Gad the prophet said to David, "Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah." | Gad, prophet advises David |
| Jer 1:9 | Then the Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Behold, I have put My words in your mouth." | God puts words in prophets' mouths |
| Heb 1:1 | God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, | God spoke through prophets |
| Exod 25:9 | According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, so you shall construct it. | Divine blueprint for worship |
| Exod 35:30-35 | The Lord has called by name Bezalel... and has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding... to work in every craft. | Skill for divine service is God-given |
| Mt 5:17 | Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. | Jesus fulfills Law and Prophets |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness. | God-breathed scripture and prophecy |
| Rev 5:8-9 | And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. | Harps in heavenly worship |
| Rev 14:2 | And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. | Harpists in heaven |
2 Chronicles 29 verses
2 Chronicles 29 25 Meaning
2 Chronicles 29:25 describes King Hezekiah's diligent and specific re-establishment of musical worship in the re-sanctified Temple, affirming that this intricate arrangement of Levites and instruments—cymbals, psalteries (lyres), and harps—was not a human invention but directly commanded by God. The verse explicitly links this order back to the revered figures of David, Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet, thereby asserting its divine authority and historical legitimacy derived through God's inspired prophets.
2 Chronicles 29 25 Context
This verse is part of King Hezekiah's reform efforts to restore true worship in Judah. Hezekiah ascended the throne after his father, King Ahaz, who had defiled the Temple and promoted idolatry. Chapter 29 describes Hezekiah's immediate actions in the first month of his reign: opening and repairing the doors of the House of the LORD, gathering the Levites, and commissioning them to sanctify themselves and cleanse the Temple. Verse 25 occurs within this account of the re-sanctification process and the re-establishment of sacrificial and musical worship. The specific emphasis on the commandment of David, Gad, and Nathan underscores that Hezekiah's reforms were not innovative but a faithful return to divinely established order, opposing the humanly devised practices of his predecessors.
2 Chronicles 29 25 Word analysis
- And he set (וַיַּעֲמֵד
vayya‘amed): From the rootעָמַד(‘amad), meaning "to stand, to make to stand, to appoint, to establish." Here, it implies purposeful, firm placement and authorization. Hezekiah firmly instituted the order. - the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם
hālĕwiyim): The priestly tribe dedicated to service in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Their role encompassed various duties, including musical worship, as established by David. - in the house of the LORD (בְּבֵית יְהוָה
bĕvēyt YHWH): The Temple in Jerusalem. This phrase emphasizes the proper, sacred location for this worship, highlighting the restoration from the defilement of Ahaz's reign. - with cymbals (בַּמְּצִלְתַּיִם
bammeṣiltayim): Percussion instruments known for their loud, clashing sound, used in Temple worship. (מְצִלְתַּיִםfromצָלַל- "to tingle, rattle"). - with psalteries (בַּנְּבָלִים
bannevalim): Generally refers to lyres, a type of stringed instrument. These often provided the melodic and harmonic foundation for Temple music. (נֶבֶלnevel). - and with harps (וּבַכִּנֹּרוֹת
ûbakkinnôrōt): Also stringed instruments, often translated as lyres or kinnowrs. Distinction from 'psalteries' might relate to shape, size, or number of strings, both used for melody and accompaniment. (כִּנּוֹרkinnor). - according to the commandment of David (בְּמִצְוַת דָּוִיד
bĕmiṣwat Dāwīḏ): Explicitly links Hezekiah's actions to King David's original ordering of Temple music. David, though a king, functioned as a divinely inspired figure in establishing worship. (מִצְוָהmiṣvah- "command, ordinance"). - and of Gad the king's seer (וְגָד חֹזֵה הַמֶּלֶךְ
wĕGāḏ ḥôzēh hammeleḵ): Gad was a prophet associated with David (1 Sam 22:5; 2 Sam 24:11). The termחֹזֶה(ḥōzēh) "seer" highlights his role in receiving visions or divine insight. - and Nathan the prophet (וְנָתָן הַנָּבִיא
wĕNāṯān hannāḇîʾ): Nathan was a prominent prophet during David's reign (2 Sam 7; 12). The termנָבִיא(nāḇîʾ) "prophet" emphasizes his role as a spokesman for God, receiving and declaring divine messages. - for so was the commandment of the LORD (כִּי מִצְוַת יְהוָה
kî miṣwat YHWH): This phrase underscores the ultimate divine origin of the order. It was not merely David's preference but God's specific directive conveyed through his chosen agents. - by his prophets (בְּיַד נְבִיאִיו
bĕyaḏ nĕvīʾîw): "By the hand of his prophets." This idiomatic expression confirms that Gad and Nathan were instruments through whom the LORD's will was communicated and implemented regarding Temple worship. This confirms their divine mandate and legitimizes Hezekiah's adherence to their recorded commands.
2 Chronicles 29 25 Bonus section
The chronicler often highlights the reign of David as the golden standard for Temple organization and worship. By specifically citing Gad and Nathan alongside David, the passage underscores the principle that royal authority in religious matters was not absolute but functioned under divine prophetic guidance. This emphasis served to teach the post-exilic community that legitimate leadership aligns itself with revealed divine instructions, transmitted through those uniquely inspired by God. It also points to a rich history of divinely orchestrated liturgy within Israel, suggesting that God deeply values not only the intention but also the prescribed order and elements of worship. The mention of specific instruments (cymbals, psalteries, harps) reflects an ordered and joyful aspect of worship, showcasing the beauty and complexity intended for God's praise.
2 Chronicles 29 25 Commentary
2 Chronicles 29:25 is a crucial statement about the restoration of worship during Hezekiah's reign. It highlights that true worship is not arbitrary or subject to human preference but is ordered and commanded by God Himself. Hezekiah did not invent new forms of praise; instead, he faithfully returned to the established ordinances delivered through David and the prophets Gad and Nathan. This shows that the pattern for sacred service, including its musical component, originated from divine revelation. The chronicler emphasizes this lineage to demonstrate the legitimacy and sacred obligation behind Hezekiah's reforms, countering any humanistic approach to divine service prevalent during the apostate reigns. It asserts the enduring authority of God's word communicated through His chosen messengers and that He has a specific design for His worship, intending for it to be conducted with skill, order, and instruments of joy, as a foretaste of heavenly praise.