And they sware unto the LORD with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.

2 CHRONICLES 15:14KJV
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2 Chronicles 15:14 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 15:14 mean?

2 Chronicles 15:14 describes how the people of Judah made a public and enthusiastic oath to the LORD, expressing their commitment with loud voices, shouts, and the sound of trumpets and cornets. This verse shows a moment of unified, energetic dedication to God, marked by both spoken words and musical instruments.

This event takes place during King Asa’s reign, after the prophet Azariah encourages the people to seek the LORD wholeheartedly. The verse highlights the community’s collective response, not just in quiet agreement but with outward, joyful noise and music, signaling the seriousness and joy of their renewed commitment.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 15:14

  • "sware" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to make an oath or a solemn promise, often with a sense of binding oneself to a serious commitment. Here, it emphasizes the gravity of the people's pledge to the LORD.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, underscoring that the oath is directed specifically to Israel’s covenant God.
  • "loud" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) and "voice" (קוֹל, qol): Together, these words stress that the people spoke with great volume and intensity, showing their passion and unity.
  • "shouting" (תְּרוּעָה, teruah): This word often refers to a joyful or triumphant shout, sometimes used in celebrations or religious festivals. It adds to the sense of communal excitement.
  • "trumpets" (חֲצֹצְרָה, chatsotserah) and "cornets" (שׁוֹפָר, shofar): These are specific musical instruments used in worship and important events, highlighting the ceremonial and festive nature of the occasion.

Why 2 Chronicles 15:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the people’s commitment to God was not a private or passive act, but a public and energetic declaration involving the whole community.
  • The use of both voices and instruments shows that worship and dedication in ancient Israel often involved all the senses and was meant to be experienced together.
  • Placing this verse in the context of Asa’s reforms, it shows how spiritual renewal was celebrated with both solemnity and joy, emphasizing the importance of communal participation in faith.

Where else these words appear

“trumpets” Hebrew H2689 · used in 27 verses

  • Numbers 10:2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
  • 1 Chronicles 15:24 And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

“shouting” Hebrew H8643 · used in 33 verses

  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • 1 Samuel 4:6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp.
  • Psalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

“cornets” Hebrew H7782 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
  • 1 Samuel 13:3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.
  • Isaiah 27:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.