Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel.

2 CHRONICLES 29:7KJV
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2 Chronicles 29:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 29:7 mean?

2 Chronicles 29:7 describes how the people had stopped caring for the temple: they closed its entrance, let the lamps go out, and stopped offering incense and sacrifices to God. This verse highlights a period of neglect and abandonment of worship practices that were central to Israel’s relationship with God.

King Hezekiah is speaking to the Levites and priests, explaining the poor spiritual state left by previous generations. The verse sets the stage for Hezekiah’s reforms by showing just how far the people had drifted from their duties in the temple, both physically and spiritually.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 29:7

  • "Shut up" (סָגַר, sagar): This word means to close or lock. Here, it emphasizes that the temple’s access was deliberately blocked, not just neglected.
  • "Lamps" (נֵר, ner): These were the lamps in the temple that symbolized God’s presence. Letting them go out meant ignoring God’s presence and the temple’s daily rituals.
  • "Burned incense" (קָטַר, qatar) and "incense" (קְטֹרֶת, qetoret): Burning incense was a daily act of worship. Stopping this practice signaled a break in the people’s communication and devotion to God.
  • "Offered burnt offerings" (עָלָה, ‘alah; עֹלָה, ‘olah): Burnt offerings were central sacrifices. Not offering them showed a complete halt in the main acts of worship.

Why 2 Chronicles 29:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the neglect was not just accidental but a willful turning away from God’s instructions for worship.
  • It shows the depth of the problem Hezekiah faced, helping readers understand why his reforms were so urgent and necessary.
  • The verse connects to the wider story by explaining the spiritual decline that led to the need for renewal and restoration in Israel’s worship life.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H3518 · used in 24 verses

  • Leviticus 6:12 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings.
  • Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
  • Jeremiah 4:4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

“porch” Hebrew H197 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
  • Ezekiel 40:40 And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables.

“lamps” Hebrew H5216 · used in 42 verses

  • Exodus 25:37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
  • Numbers 8:3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Job 21:17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

“incense” Hebrew H7004 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 25:6 Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense,
  • Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
  • Numbers 16:18 And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.