2 Chronicles 29 28

2 Chronicles 29:28 kjv

And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.

2 Chronicles 29:28 nkjv

So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.

2 Chronicles 29:28 niv

The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the musicians played and the trumpets sounded. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed.

2 Chronicles 29:28 esv

The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished.

2 Chronicles 29:28 nlt

The entire assembly worshiped the LORD as the singers sang and the trumpets blew, until all the burnt offerings were finished.

2 Chronicles 29 verses

2 Chronicles 29 28 Meaning

The verse describes the simultaneous and sustained worship by the entire congregation, coordinated with the Levitical singers and priestly trumpeters, all continuing without interruption until the primary atoning sacrifice, the burnt offering, was completely presented and consumed. This depicts an act of unified, intense, and thorough adoration of God during a critical moment of spiritual restoration in Judah.

2 Chronicles 29 28 Context

This verse is situated in the midst of King Hezekiah's momentous spiritual reform in Judah (2 Chron 29-31). Following his father Ahaz's idolatry and neglect of the Temple, Hezekiah ascended the throne and immediately initiated a nationwide spiritual cleansing and restoration of true worship. Chapter 29 details the purification of the Temple, the re-consecration of the Levites and priests, and the re-institution of the sacrificial system. The sin offerings had been presented to atone for the defilement and rebellion of the past. Immediately after, the burnt offerings ('olah in Hebrew) were brought forth. Verse 28 describes the intense and unified spiritual response during the burning of these offerings. This communal action signifies the people's collective humility, surrender, and acceptance of God's atonement. The historical context shows Judah turning from a period of severe spiritual apostasy back to God, making this worship deeply significant as a sign of renewed covenant faithfulness and joy.

2 Chronicles 29 28 Word analysis

• And all the congregation (וְכָל הַקָּהָל - v'khol ha'qahal):
  • v'khol: "And all." Emphasizes comprehensiveness; not just leaders or a select few, but the entire assembled community.
  • ha'qahal: "The congregation," "the assembly." Refers to the collective body of Israel, indicating unity and corporate participation. This communal worship contrasts sharply with the earlier individual or sporadic idol worship under Ahaz, signaling a nationwide return to God.
• worshiped (מִשְׁתַּחֲוִים - mishtachavim):
  • From the root shachah, meaning "to bow down," "prostrate oneself," or "do obeisance." It conveys deep reverence, humility, and submission before God. The form indicates an ongoing action, suggesting a continuous state of adoration throughout the proceedings. This posture signifies complete surrender and awe in the presence of the Holy One.
• and the singers (וְהַשָּׁרִים - v'ha'sharim):
  • From the root shir, "to sing." Refers specifically to the Levitical musicians who were designated for musical service in the Temple, as established by David (e.g., 1 Chron 23:5, 25:1). Their role was to lead the people in praise and enhance the liturgical experience through melody and voice.
• sang (מְשֹׁרְרִים - m'shorerim):
  • Also from shir, "to sing." An active participle indicating a continuous act of singing. Their performance was not a mere concert but an integral part of the spiritual offering, a vocal outpouring of praise and thanksgiving.
• and the trumpeters (וְהַחֲצֹצְרִים - v'hachatzotzrim):
  • Refers to the priests who blew the chatzoztrah (silver trumpets). These were used for calling assemblies, sounding alarms, guiding movements, and, importantly, accompanying sacrifices and feasts as signals of celebration and praise to the Lord (Num 10:1-10).
• sounded (מַחֲצְצְרִים - machatzetzrim):
  • From chatzotzer, "to blow a trumpet." Again, an active participle, denoting continuous, sustained trumpet blowing. The sound was majestic and commanding, marking the significance of the moment and drawing attention to God's presence during the sacrifice.
• all this continued (כֹּל זֹאת עַד - kol zot ad):
  • kol zot: "All this." Refers to the combined, simultaneous actions of the congregation worshiping, singers singing, and trumpeters sounding.
  • ad: "Until." This prepositive indicates the temporal extent. It highlights the persistence and unbroken nature of their worship. It wasn't a brief interlude but a sustained, deliberate act.
• until the burnt offering (עַד הָעוֹלָה - ad ha'olah):
  • ad: "Until" again, reinforcing the duration.
  • ha'olah: "The burnt offering." Literally, "that which goes up" (referring to the smoke). The burnt offering was fully consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement, a sweet aroma to the Lord (Lev 1:9). It was central to the process of purification and reconciliation with God after the sin offerings.
• was finished (כָּלְתָה - kaltah):
  • From kalah, "to complete," "finish," "be consumed." It means the burnt offering was completely presented and burned. The worship lasted as long as this critical act of atonement was being carried out, emphasizing that their praise and adoration were inextricably linked to and arose from God's provision for their reconciliation.

Words-group analysis:

• "And all the congregation worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded": This phrase portrays a synchronized, multi-sensory worship experience. It shows full congregational participation (all the congregation), coupled with organized, Levitical (singers) and priestly (trumpeters) musical accompaniment. The acts of prostration, singing, and trumpet blowing together created an atmosphere of profound reverence, joy, and dedication to God. This unity in worship demonstrates their collective re-commitment.
• "all this continued until the burnt offering was finished": This crucial phrase underlines the steadfastness and unwavering commitment of the people and performers. Their worship was not fleeting but enduring, directly tied to the duration of the central atoning sacrifice. It implies a deep engagement, ensuring that the offering, which symbolizes complete dedication and atonement, was thoroughly completed under an unceasing mantle of praise and devotion. This signifies the depth of their repentance and gratitude for God's provision.

2 Chronicles 29 28 Bonus section

The deep integration of music with the sacrificial system in Old Testament worship (as seen here) highlights that praise was not merely an appendage but an intrinsic part of approaching God. The sounds and sights (smoke rising from the burnt offering) would have created a multisensory experience aimed at focusing the entire being on God. This act also serves as a strong counter-statement (polemic) to the casual, fragmented, or idolatrous worship of the surrounding nations and the preceding reign of Ahaz. It re-establishes God's rightful supremacy and the structured, devoted manner in which His people are to approach Him. The communal aspect ("all the congregation") indicates that corporate worship is divinely intended and carries immense power and significance, fostering unity and a shared identity centered on God's redemption.

2 Chronicles 29 28 Commentary

2 Chronicles 29:28 powerfully illustrates a principle of worship: it should be complete, sincere, and enduring, arising directly from God's redemptive work. Hezekiah's reform reinstated not just the forms of worship but the spirit of worship. The entire assembly, not merely representatives, bowed in humble adoration. The Levitical singers and priestly trumpeters provided continuous, orchestrated musical praise, indicating orderly and purposeful worship. This synchronized praise lasted "until the burnt offering was finished," linking their worship directly to the atoning sacrifice being made on their behalf. Their prolonged, unified praise underscores the depth of their gratitude and acknowledgment of the finished work of reconciliation. For Christians, this echoes our response of continuous worship and thankfulness for Christ's singular, completed burnt offering—His sacrifice on the cross—which wholly atones for all sin and provides reconciliation with God. Our worship, like theirs, is a direct response to a finished redemptive work, characterized by unity, intentionality, and persistence.