2 Chronicles 29:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The temple cleansing took 16 days, from the first through the sixteenth of the month.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 29:17
Timeline of the 16-day cleansing process.
What Does 2 Chronicles 29:17 Mean?
The timeline reveals both the scope of the work and the urgency of the effort. Beginning on the first day of Nisan (the first month), the Levites spent an initial week reaching the porch, then continued through the sixteenth day to complete the entire sanctuary. The specific dating anchors this reform in the liturgical calendar, linking it to Passover season—the traditional time of national renewal and covenant remembrance.
The completion by the sixteenth allows time before Passover (the fourteenth) for final preparations, suggesting Hezekiah was coordinating temple restoration with the coming festival. This would allow the newly cleansed temple to be used for what was likely the first proper Passover celebration in years.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 29:17
What does 2 Chronicles 29:17 mean?
The temple cleansing took 16 days, from the first through the sixteenth of the month.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 29:17?
Timeline of the 16-day cleansing process.