Hezekiah led Judah to return to the presence of the LORD, demonstrating that genuine worship involves repentance, humility, and acknowledging God’s holiness.
Then the priests slaughtered them and purged the altar with their blood to atone for all Israel, for the king ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering for all Israel. (v.24) This verse depicts a solemn moment in the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, the city at the heart of Judah in the southern kingdom of ancient Israel. Under the leadership of King Hezekiah—who reigned from around 715 BC to 686 BC—the priests obeyed his command to offer sacrifices that would bring about reconciliation between the people and God. Their effort involved the act of pouring the blood of the sacrifices on the altar, symbolizing cleansing and atonement. In this context, “to atone” carries the concept of covering or removing the burden of guilt, which was embraced in the sacrificial system established under the Law of Moses.
When the priests slaughtered them and purged the altar with their blood to atone for all Israel (v.24), it showed the deep need for restoration and the collective unity of the people under God’s covenant. Though the tribes of Israel were often divided geographically and politically (the northern kingdom, often called Israel, separated from the southern kingdom of Judah), this verse highlights a spiritual concern that encompassed all Israel, not only Judah. The location, Jerusalem, was chosen centuries earlier by King David as the capital of the united kingdom, and Solomon built the temple there, making it the most significant center of worship.
For the king ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering for all Israel (v.24) also foreshadows the function of a future, ultimate sacrifice found in the New Testament, where Christ is described as having died once for all (Romans 6:10) to accomplish complete atonement. Here in 2 Chronicles 29, we see a reflection of God’s unfolding plan of redemption. By reestablishing correct worship, King Hezekiah set an example of obedience and hope for a people who needed their hearts turned back to the LORD.
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2 Chronicles 29:24 meaning
Then the priests slaughtered them and purged the altar with their blood to atone for all Israel, for the king ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering for all Israel. (v.24) This verse depicts a solemn moment in the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, the city at the heart of Judah in the southern kingdom of ancient Israel. Under the leadership of King Hezekiah—who reigned from around 715 BC to 686 BC—the priests obeyed his command to offer sacrifices that would bring about reconciliation between the people and God. Their effort involved the act of pouring the blood of the sacrifices on the altar, symbolizing cleansing and atonement. In this context, “to atone” carries the concept of covering or removing the burden of guilt, which was embraced in the sacrificial system established under the Law of Moses.
When the priests slaughtered them and purged the altar with their blood to atone for all Israel (v.24), it showed the deep need for restoration and the collective unity of the people under God’s covenant. Though the tribes of Israel were often divided geographically and politically (the northern kingdom, often called Israel, separated from the southern kingdom of Judah), this verse highlights a spiritual concern that encompassed all Israel, not only Judah. The location, Jerusalem, was chosen centuries earlier by King David as the capital of the united kingdom, and Solomon built the temple there, making it the most significant center of worship.
For the king ordered the burnt offering and the sin offering for all Israel (v.24) also foreshadows the function of a future, ultimate sacrifice found in the New Testament, where Christ is described as having died once for all (Romans 6:10) to accomplish complete atonement. Here in 2 Chronicles 29, we see a reflection of God’s unfolding plan of redemption. By reestablishing correct worship, King Hezekiah set an example of obedience and hope for a people who needed their hearts turned back to the LORD.