Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
2 CHRONICLES 29:18KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 29:18 mean?
2 Chronicles 29:18 describes how the priests reported to King Hezekiah that they had finished purifying the entire temple of the LORD, including the altar for burnt offerings and all its utensils, as well as the table for the shewbread and its utensils. This verse marks the completion of a thorough cleansing process in preparation for renewed worship.
The verse takes place during King Hezekiah’s efforts to restore proper worship in Jerusalem after a period of neglect. The priests are speaking directly to Hezekiah, giving an account of their work. Their report shows that every part of the temple, especially the main items used in worship—the altar (for sacrifices) and the shewbread table (for the special bread set before God)—had been carefully purified and made ready for use again.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 29:18
- "cleansed" (טִהַר, ṭihar): This word means to make something ritually pure or clean. In this context, it emphasizes that the priests did more than just tidy up; they performed the necessary rituals to restore the temple’s holiness.
- "altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach) and "offering" (עֹלָה, olah): These words refer to the main place for sacrifices and the burnt offerings themselves, highlighting the central role of sacrifice in temple worship.
- "shewbread" (לֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, lechem hapanim) and "table" (שֻׁלְחָן, shulchan): The shewbread table was where special bread was placed before God as a continual offering, showing the restoration of regular worship practices.
Why 2 Chronicles 29:18 matters
- This verse clarifies that the priests’ cleansing was comprehensive, covering not only the building but also every object used in worship, which was essential for restoring proper temple service.
- By naming the altar and the shewbread table specifically, the verse highlights the importance of both sacrifice and continual offerings in Israel’s relationship with God.
- The report to Hezekiah connects his leadership directly to the temple’s renewal, showing his commitment to reestablishing faithful worship after a time of spiritual decline.