2 Chronicles 29:16 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Priests and Levites work together to physically remove accumulated defilements from the temple.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 29:16
The physical labor of cleansing begins in earnest.
What Does 2 Chronicles 29:16 Mean?
This verse depicts the literal work of restoration: the priests entering the inner sanctum to identify what had accumulated during years of abandonment, and then the combined effort to remove it. The 'uncleanness' was both literal (debris, contamination) and symbolic (disorder in the sacred space). Moving it outside the temple compound, to the Kidron Valley, represented complete removal of what had defiled the sanctuary.
The coordinated roles reflect proper priestly hierarchy: priests accessed the inner sanctuary while Levites handled the transported defilement. This division of labor demonstrates respect for sacred boundaries while accomplishing the comprehensive restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 29:16
What does 2 Chronicles 29:16 mean?
Priests and Levites work together to physically remove accumulated defilements from the temple.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 29:16?
The physical labor of cleansing begins in earnest.