Keraia
2 Chronicles 29

2 Chronicles 29:34

Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship · 2 Chronicles 29:20–36
Read 2 Chronicles 29

Translations

Modern
However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.
Traditional
But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
Literal
But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings. And their brothers the Levites strengthened them until the work was finished, and until the priests had sanctified themselves. For the Levites were more diligent of heart to consecrate themselves than the priests.
Latin
Sacerdotes vero pauci erant, nec poterant sufficere ut pelles holocaustorum detraherent: unde et Levitæ fratres eorum adjuverunt eos, donec impleretur opus, et sanctificarentur antistites: Levitæ quippe faciliori ritu sanctificantur quam sacerdotes.

Original

Hebrew
English
However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.

Notes

2 Chronicles 29:34

The Chronicler feels surprised and delighted by the people's spontaneous actions and the large number of praise offerings during the thanksgiving festivities. These events show that the Lord prepared the people's hearts for the occasion, exceeding the expectations of the priests and Levites.

2 Chronicles 29:31–36

  • After purifying and rededicating the temple, people made individual offerings and sacrifices.

  • The thanksgiving offerings were also known as praise offerings, peace offerings, or offerings of well-being (see Leviticus 3).

2 Chronicles 29:12–36

To start sanctifying the temple, the Levites first sanctified themselves. They likely purified themselves by bringing offerings (see 2 Chronicles 30:15). Then they began to cleanse the temple. Two steps were needed to restore the temple:

  1. Purification (removing pollution, 2 Chronicles 29:15–17)

  2. Sanctification (rededicating the temple for holy worship, 2 Chronicles 29:20–36)

People

Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

Glossary

Chronicles, Books of First and Second Genealogy Hezekiah Kohath, Kohathites Merari, Merarite Offerings and Sacrifices

Topics

Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Form in Religious Serv Ice Levites: Assisted the Priests in Preparing the Sacrifice Obedience: Levites Priest: Duties of To offer Sacrifices Priests were Sometimes: Slow to Sanctify, Themselves for God's Services Priests: Services of Offering Sacrifices the First Temple: Purified and Divine Worship Restored Under Hezekiah Uprightness: should be in Heart