2 Chronicles 29:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Hezekiah commands the Levites to sanctify themselves and cleanse the temple of its defilements.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 29:5
Hezekiah's first words to the assembled religious leaders.
What Does 2 Chronicles 29:5 Mean?
Hezekiah's command begins with personal sanctification. Before the Levites could cleanse the temple, they themselves needed to be ritually pure and spiritually prepared. This reflects a fundamental principle of temple theology: those who minister in the holy place must themselves be consecrated. The king is addressing them as Levites, the caretakers of the sanctuary, placing responsibility on them to lead the restoration.
The metaphor of filthiness—both literal debris and symbolic spiritual pollution—captures the state of the temple under Ahaz's neglect. Carrying out this filthiness represents both physical restoration and spiritual renewal, removing what is incompatible with sacred worship.
2 Chronicles 29:5 in the Original Language
sanctify (קִדְּשׁוּ, qiddeshū) — to set apart as holy, to consecrate or dedicate to sacred purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 29:5
What does 2 Chronicles 29:5 mean?
Hezekiah commands the Levites to sanctify themselves and cleanse the temple of its defilements.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 29:5?
Hezekiah's first words to the assembled religious leaders.