New English Translation
2 Chronicles 29:34
34But there were not enough priests to skin all the animals, so their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was finished and the priests could consecrate themselves. (The Levites had been more conscientious about consecrating themselves than the priests.)
2 Chronicles 29:34 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)The priests, however, were too few to skin all the burnt offerings; so their relatives the Levites helped them until the task was finished and until other priests had been consecrated, for the Levites had been more conscientious in consecrating themselves than the priests had been.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brethren the Levites helped them until the work was ended and until the other priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more diligent in sanctifying themselves than the priests.
Context of 2 Chronicles 29:34
32The assembly brought a total of 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs as burnt sacrifices to the Lord, 33and 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep were consecrated. But there were not enough priests to skin all the animals, so their brothers, the Levites, helped them until the work was finished and the priests could consecrate themselves. (The Levites had been more conscientious about consecrating themselves than the priests.) 35There was a large number of burnt sacrifices, as well as fat from the peace offerings and drink offerings that accompanied the burnt sacrifices. So the service of the Lord’s temple was reinstituted. 36Hezekiah and all the people were happy about what God had done for them, for it had been done quickly.
Read all of 2 Chronicles 292 Chronicles 29:34 word by word
רַ֤ק הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ הָי֣וּ לִמְעָ֔ט וְלֹ֣א יָֽכְל֔וּ לְהַפְשִׁ֖יט אֶת־כָּל־הָעֹל֑וֹת וַֽיְּחַזְּק֞וּם אֲחֵיהֶ֣ם הַלְוִיִּ֗ם עַד־כְּל֤וֹת הַמְּלָאכָה֙ וְעַ֣ד יִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים כִּ֤י הַלְוִיִּם֙ יִשְׁרֵ֣י לֵבָ֔ב לְהִתְקַדֵּ֖שׁ מֵֽהַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- But the priestsכֹּהֵןkôhên · priestH3548
- were too fewמְעַטme‛aţ me‛âţ · littleH4592
- so that they couldיָכֹלyâkôl yâkôl · be ableH3201
- not flayפָּשַׁטpâshaţ · to stripH6584
- all the burnt offeringsעֹלָה‛ôlâh ‛ôlâh · burnt offeringH5930
- wherefore their brethrenאָח'âch · brother: male-relativeH251
- the Levitesלֵוִיlêvîyîy lêvîy · LeviH3881
- did helpחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: strengthenH2388
- them, till the workמְלָאכָהmelâ'kâh · workH4399
- was endedכָּלָהkâlâh · to end: finishH3615
- had sanctifiedקָדַשׁqâdash · to consecrate: consecateH6942
- more uprightיָשָׁרyâshâr · uprightH3477
- in heartלֵבָבlêbâb · heartH3824
Cross-references for 2 Chronicles 29:34
- 2 Chronicles 20:5Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the Lord’s temple, in front of the new courtyard.
- 2 Chronicles 30:16They stood at their posts according to the regulations outlined in the law of Moses, the man of God. The priests were splashing the blood as the Levites handed it to them.
- 2 Chronicles 35:11They slaughtered the Passover lambs and the priests splashed the blood, while the Levites skinned the animals.
- Numbers 8:15“After this, the Levites will go in to do the work of the tent of meeting. So you must cleanse them and offer them like a wave offering.
- Numbers 18:3They must be responsible to care for you and to care for the entire tabernacle. However, they must not come near the furnishings of the sanctuary and the altar, or both they and you will die.
- 2 Chronicles 30:3They were unable to observe it at the regular time because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not assembled in Jerusalem.
- 1 Chronicles 29:17I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.
- Psalms 7:10The Exalted God is my shield, the one who delivers the morally upright.
- Psalms 26:6I maintain a pure lifestyle, so I can appear before your altar, O Lord,
- Psalms 94:15For justice will prevail, and all the morally upright will be vindicated.
Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 29:34
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 34They could not flay all the burnt-offerings - Peace-offerings, and such like, the Levites might flay and dress; but the whole burnt-offerings, that is, those which were entirely consumed on the altar, could be touched only by the priests, unless in a case of necessity, such as is mentioned here. The Levites were more upright in heart - The priests seem to have been very backward in this good work; the Levites were more ready to help forward this glorious…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 34The Levites were more upright etc - See the marginal reference. Urijah, the high priest, had participated to some extent in the impieties of Ahaz 2 Kings 16:10-16. He and many of the priests may, therefore, have looked coldly on the reforming zeal of Hezekiah.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-36Verses 20-36 As soon as Hezekiah heard that the temple was ready, he lost no time. Atonement must be made for the sins of the last reign. It was not enough to lament and forsake those sins; they brought a sin-offering. Our repentance and reformation will not obtain pardon but in and through Christ, who was made sin, that is, a sin-offering for us. While the offerings were on the altar, the Levites sang. Sorrow for sin must not prevent us from praising…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 34The 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.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 34-3634-36. the priests were too few, ... wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them--The skins of beasts intended as peace offerings might be taken off by the officers, because, in such cases, the carcass was not wholly laid upon the altar; but animals meant for burnt offerings which were wholly consumed by fire could be flayed by the priests alone, not even the Levites being allowed to touch them, except in cases of unavoidable necessity (2Ch 35:11)…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Chronicles 29:34
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 29
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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