2 Chronicles 29 6

2 Chronicles 29:6 kjv

For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.

2 Chronicles 29:6 nkjv

For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the LORD our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him.

2 Chronicles 29:6 niv

Our parents were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the LORD our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the LORD's dwelling place and turned their backs on him.

2 Chronicles 29:6 esv

For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD and turned their backs.

2 Chronicles 29:6 nlt

Our ancestors were unfaithful and did what was evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They abandoned the LORD and his dwelling place; they turned their backs on him.

2 Chronicles 29 verses

2 Chronicles 29 6 Meaning

This verse serves as King Hezekiah's solemn confession and indictment of the previous generations of Judah. It articulates that "our fathers" committed acts of severe unfaithfulness (trespassed) against the covenant Lord, purposefully engaging in evil as seen directly by God Himself. This multifaceted rebellion involved actively abandoning God, turning their backs and rejecting His sacred presence at the Temple, and showing utter disdain and contempt towards Him. Hezekiah presents this deep-seated sin as the direct cause of the suffering and desolation that Judah has experienced.

2 Chronicles 29 6 Context

2 Chronicles 29 recounts the beginning of King Hezekiah's reign over Judah. Unlike his wicked father Ahaz, Hezekiah immediately initiated a sweeping religious reform. He began in the first month of his first year as king by reopening and cleansing the Temple, which Ahaz had shut up and defiled. Verse 6 is part of Hezekiah's direct address to the Levites and priests, whom he had gathered to sanctify themselves and the Temple. This verse provides the profound justification for his urgent actions, linking the past defilement and present national suffering to the persistent apostasy of previous generations. Historically, Judah had experienced a period of profound spiritual decay and national humiliation under Ahaz, who embraced pagan worship, even sacrificing his own children, and provoked God's wrath, leading to military defeats and desolation (2 Chron 28). This verse confronts the widespread syncretism and idolatry prevalent in Judah, presenting Yahweh as the one true God whose commands were tragically ignored by their "fathers," contrasting His holy standard with their abominable practices. It subtly condemns the notion that Judah's troubles were due to foreign gods' anger, instead pinpointing the disloyalty to the Lord God of Israel.

2 Chronicles 29 6 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): This conjunction serves as a foundational "because" or "indeed," introducing the explanation for the dire situation described in the preceding verses (2 Chron 29:5 - God's wrath upon Judah). It ties the present distress directly to past unfaithfulness.
• Our fathers (אֲבֹתֵינוּ, ʾăḇōṯênû): This collective term refers to previous generations, encompassing both kings and the general populace. Hezekiah acknowledges the corporate sin and its consequences, demonstrating humility and communal responsibility rather than blaming distant individuals. This emphasizes a long-standing pattern of disobedience that permeated the national consciousness.
• Have trespassed (מָעֲלוּ, māʿălû): Derived from the Hebrew root ma'al (מעל), this verb denotes acting unfaithfully, committing a serious transgression or breach of trust, particularly in relation to God or sacred things. It implies a deliberate act of infidelity, a deep violation of covenant responsibilities, far beyond a simple mistake. It signifies spiritual betrayal, often involving desecration or improper use of holy items or obligations (as seen in Num 5:6-8 concerning defrauding the Lord).
• And done (וְעָשׂוּ, wəʿāśû): Links the "trespass" to concrete actions, showing that their unfaithfulness was not passive but expressed through their behavior.
• That which was evil (הָרַע, hā-raʿ): Not just a minor wrongdoing, but "the evil," highlighting the definitive nature of their wickedness as objectively defined by God's standard. This points to actions contrary to divine law and character, viewed from God's righteous perspective.
• In the eyes of (בְּעֵינֵי, bəʿênê): An anthropomorphism emphasizing that God observed and judged their actions. Their deeds were not hidden from His sight, and He is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. This indicates a direct offense against God's Person and will.
• The LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): The sacred, ineffable covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal nature and His specific covenant relationship with Israel, which they violated.
• Our God (אֱלֹהֵינוּ, ʾĕlōhênû): Reaffirms the personal and exclusive relationship Judah was supposed to have with Yahweh, highlighting the severity of their betrayal of their own God.
• And have forsaken Him (וַיַּעַזְבֻהוּ, wayyaʿaḏḇu-hû): From the root azav (עזב), meaning to abandon, desert, or leave. This signifies a complete spiritual divorce from God, an act of turning away from dependence on or allegiance to Him, often in favor of other gods or pursuits (e.g., Jer 1:16).
• And have turned away their faces (וַיַּסִּבּוּ פְנֵיהֶם, wayyassibbû pənehěm): Literally, "and they caused their faces to turn." This vivid imagery describes a deliberate act of avoidance, disdain, and rejection. To turn one's face away from someone is a gesture of profound disrespect, showing they did not wish to acknowledge God, His commands, or His presence.
• From the habitation of the LORD (מִמִּשְׁכַּן יְהוָה, mimmiškān YHWH): "Habitation" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, God's dwelling place where His presence was uniquely manifested among His people. Turning away from this sacred place symbolizes a turning away from the very center of their worship, the locus of divine revelation, and the embodiment of the covenant itself.
• And turned their backs to Him (וַיִּתְּנוּ עֹרֶף, wayyittnû ʿōreph): A Hebrew idiom meaning "they gave the nape of the neck." This is an even stronger expression of contempt, defiance, and stubborn refusal to engage. To turn one's back is the ultimate gesture of scorn and indifference, symbolizing a rejection of obedience, instruction, or even interaction (e.g., Jer 2:27, 32:33). It signifies a complete and defiant turning away from God's invitation and presence.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God": This initial phrase establishes the historical depth and comprehensive nature of Judah's apostasy. The "trespass" highlights a breach of covenant, an act of unfaithfulness; "done evil" signifies overt sin, and "in the eyes of the LORD our God" underscores divine observation and judgment, emphasizing that their actions directly affronted their specific covenant partner. It’s a foundational confession of national corporate sin, reaching across generations.
• "and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs to him": This trio of escalating expressions paints a progressively darker picture of rebellion. "Forsaken Him" represents the fundamental abandonment of relationship. "Turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD" adds the rejection of His physical dwelling and presence, implying a rejection of His ordinances and worship. Finally, "turned their backs to Him" represents the apex of disdain and defiance, illustrating their utter contempt for God and their refusal to acknowledge or obey Him. This triple imagery vividly conveys their stubborn and comprehensive spiritual rebellion against Yahweh.

2 Chronicles 29 6 Bonus section

This verse embodies the concept of corporate responsibility, where the actions of past generations significantly impact the present, leading to a collective burden of sin and its consequences. Hezekiah, as the newly anointed king, immediately assumes this spiritual responsibility, making a confession on behalf of the entire nation, not merely condemning past rulers but recognizing a systemic spiritual issue. The immediate and radical nature of Hezekiah's reform (starting on "the first day of the first month" of his reign, 2 Chron 29:3, 17) shows his profound conviction about the severity of this accumulated sin and the urgent need for restoration. This confession sets the stage for a process of repentance and return to God's covenant, symbolizing that even deep-seated generational sin can be addressed through intentional and Spirit-led reform by righteous leadership and a turning back to God. The choice of terms like "ma'al" and the progression of "forsaking," "turning face," and "turning back" are deliberate literary choices by the Chronicler to underscore the complete and defiant rejection of God's Lordship by Judah.

2 Chronicles 29 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 29:6 serves as a pivotal confession in King Hezekiah's speech, providing the theological rationale for his sweeping Temple reforms. It reveals a profound understanding of Judah's history: their present calamities were not arbitrary but a direct consequence of sustained intergenerational sin. The "trespass" (ma'al) signifies a grave betrayal of the covenant with God, involving not just passive neglect but active spiritual infidelity and misuse of sacred trust. The description of their actions as "evil in the eyes of the LORD" stresses divine accountability and highlights that human behavior is always judged by God's perfect standard. The escalating imagery—"forsaken Him," "turned away their faces," and "turned their backs to Him"—illustrates a progression from initial abandonment to overt rejection and contempt, culminating in utter defiance. This profound turning away from the Lord, His presence (symbolized by the Temple), and His commands explains the state of spiritual and national decay. Hezekiah's acknowledgment of this collective sin underscores the need for a national spiritual renewal and highlights the serious consequences of breaking covenant with the living God. This verse underscores that God cares deeply about humanity's posture towards Him and His sacred space, demanding genuine allegiance and honor.