And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.

2 CHRONICLES 29:27KJV
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2 Chronicles 29:27 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 29:27 mean?

2 Chronicles 29:27 describes King Hezekiah ordering the priests to begin offering a burnt sacrifice on the altar, and as the offering starts, music and trumpets—arranged by King David—begin to play in worship to the LORD. This verse highlights the coordinated start of both the sacrifice and the musical worship as part of restoring temple practices.

Hezekiah is leading a revival of proper worship in Jerusalem after a period of neglect. The priests are following his command to offer the burnt offering (a complete sacrifice), and as soon as it begins, the Levites and musicians join in with songs and instruments. The mention of David connects these musical practices to Israel’s earlier traditions and shows a return to established forms of worship.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 29:27

  • הֶעֱלָה (he‘elah, “offer”): This word means to cause something to go up, often used for offering sacrifices. Here, it emphasizes the act of presenting the burnt offering on the altar as an act of worship.
  • עֹלָה (olah, “offering”): This is the specific word for a burnt offering, a sacrifice that is completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God.
  • שִׁיר (shir, “song”): This word refers to the singing that began with the offering. The singing is not just background music but an intentional act of worship tied to the sacrifice.
  • כְּלִי (kli, “instruments”): This word means vessels or instruments, and here it refers to the musical instruments that David had established for temple worship, linking the ceremony back to earlier traditions.

Why 2 Chronicles 29:27 matters

  • This verse shows that worship in the temple involved both sacrifice and music, working together as part of the ritual, not as separate activities.
  • The mention of David’s instruments connects Hezekiah’s reforms to Israel’s heritage, showing respect for earlier leaders and their ways of worship.
  • The verse clarifies that Hezekiah’s reforms were not just about ritual but also about restoring the joy and fullness of worship, involving the whole community in song and music as the sacrifice was offered.

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 20:28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H2396 · used in 78 verses

  • 2 Kings 16:20 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David: and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 20:3 I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
  • Isaiah 36:16 Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;

“song” Hebrew H7892 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
  • Psalms 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

“began” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
  • Jeremiah 16:18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.