2 Chronicles 29:17

Authorized King James Version

Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַ֠יָּחֵלּוּ
Now they began
properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin
#2
בְּאֶחָ֞ד
on the first
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#3
לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#4
הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן
day of the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#5
וַיְקַדְּשׁ֥וּ
so they sanctified
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#6
וּבְי֨וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#7
שְׁמוֹנָ֑ה
and on the eighth
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#8
לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#9
בָּ֚אוּ
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#10
לְאוּלָ֣ם
they to the porch
a vestibule (as bound to the building)
#11
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#12
וַיְקַדְּשׁ֥וּ
so they sanctified
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
#13
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
בֵּית
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#15
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
וּבְי֨וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#17
שְׁמוֹנָ֑ה
and on the eighth
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#18
וּבְי֨וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#19
שִׁשָּׁ֥ה
and in the sixteenth
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#20
עָשָׂ֛ר
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
#21
לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#22
הָֽרִאשׁ֖וֹן
day of the first
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
#23
כִּלּֽוּ׃
they made an end
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection