2 Chronicles 29:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Hezekiah acknowledges that previous generations abandoned God and His temple.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 29:6
The reason for the temple's desolation: ancestral unfaithfulness.
What Does 2 Chronicles 29:6 Mean?
The king takes a long view of Israel's spiritual decline, tracing it not to a single ruler but to generations of unfaithfulness. This communal confession—identifying with the failings of 'our fathers'—sets a tone of humility. Hezekiah does not blame his immediate predecessor Ahaz alone, but recognizes a pattern of apostasy that had accumulated over time.
The vivid language of turning away faces and turning backs conveys deliberate rejection and disrespect, not mere neglect. This is presented as a conscious choice to abandon God, not an accident. By naming this sin clearly, Hezekiah creates the occasion for genuine repentance and return.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 29:6
What does 2 Chronicles 29:6 mean?
Hezekiah acknowledges that previous generations abandoned God and His temple.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 29:6?
The reason for the temple's desolation: ancestral unfaithfulness.