And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.

2 CHRONICLES 20:28KJV
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2 Chronicles 20:28 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 20:28 mean?

2 Chronicles 20:28 describes a group of people arriving in Jerusalem, bringing musical instruments—psalteries, harps, and trumpets—as they go to the house of the LORD. The verse shows them coming together in a joyful, musical procession to worship at the temple after a significant event.

This verse is part of the story where King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah return to Jerusalem after God delivered them from their enemies. The people are coming back from battle, celebrating God’s help with music as they enter the temple area. The scene highlights their gratitude and the public, joyful nature of their worship.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 20:28

  • "psalteries" (נֵבֶל, nevel): This word refers to a stringed instrument, often thought of as a type of lyre or harp. Its mention points to the use of rich, varied music in worship.
  • "harps" (כִּנּוֹר, kinnor): Another stringed instrument, the kinnor is sometimes translated as "lyre" and was commonly used in ancient Israelite music, especially in celebrations.
  • "trumpets" (חֲצוֹצְרָה, chatsotsrah): This word means a straight trumpet, made of metal, used by priests for signaling and in worship. Its use here signals a formal, joyful announcement or celebration.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): Refers to the temple, the central place of worship for the Israelites, emphasizing that their thanksgiving is directed to God in His designated place.

Why 2 Chronicles 20:28 matters

  • The verse clarifies that worship in ancient Israel was not silent or somber, but often involved music and public celebration, especially after God’s deliverance.
  • By mentioning specific instruments, the verse connects this event to established traditions of temple worship, showing continuity with earlier practices.
  • This moment ties back to the larger story of God’s intervention and the people’s response, highlighting the importance of gratitude and communal worship after experiencing rescue or blessing.

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.

“psalteries” Hebrew H5035 · used in 37 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:1 Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
  • Psalms 108:2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

“harps” Hebrew H3658 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:3 Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
  • Psalms 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.