It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

2 CHRONICLES 5:13KJV
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2 Chronicles 5:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 5:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 5:13 describes a moment when the musicians and singers at Solomon’s Temple joined together in perfect unity to praise and thank the LORD, declaring His goodness and enduring mercy. As they lifted their voices and instruments in worship, the Temple was filled with a cloud, symbolizing the presence of God filling His house.

This scene takes place during the dedication of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. The priests, trumpeters, and singers are all participating in a grand ceremony, expressing gratitude and praise to the LORD (the God of Israel). The cloud that fills the Temple is a visible sign that God’s presence has come to dwell among His people, marking the Temple as a special meeting place between God and Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 5:13

  • "One" (אֶחָד, 'echad'): This word is used twice to emphasize the unity of the musicians and singers, showing that their praise was completely unified, not just in sound but in purpose.
  • "Mercy" (חֶסֶד, chesed): This Hebrew word means steadfast love or loyal kindness. The phrase "his mercy endureth for ever" highlights God’s ongoing, faithful love for His people.
  • "Cloud" (עָנָן, 'anan'): The cloud filling the Temple is a recurring symbol in the Old Testament for God’s glory and presence, as seen earlier in the wilderness with Moses.

Why 2 Chronicles 5:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that true worship involves both unity among people and heartfelt praise directed to God, not just ritual or music alone.
  • The filling of the Temple with a cloud connects this event to earlier moments in Israel’s history, such as the cloud over the Tabernacle, showing continuity in how God reveals His presence.
  • The repeated declaration of God’s goodness and enduring mercy becomes a central theme in Israel’s worship, shaping how later generations would understand and approach God.

Where else these words appear

“trumpeters” Hebrew H2690 · used in 6 verses

  • 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 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
  • 2 Chronicles 13:14 And when Judah looked back, behold, the battle was before and behind: and they cried unto the LORD, and the priests sounded with the trumpets.

“cymbals” Hebrew H4700 · used in 13 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obededom: and Jeiel with psalteries and with harps; but Asaph made a sound with cymbals;
  • 2 Chronicles 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

“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.

“singers” Hebrew H7891 · used in 79 verses

  • Exodus 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
  • Ezra 10:24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.