2 Chronicles 29:30

Authorized King James Version

Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַ֠יֹּאמֶר
commanded
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְחִזְקִיָּ֨הוּ
Moreover Hezekiah
jechizkijah, the name of five israelites
#3
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ
the king
a king
#4
וְהַשָּׂרִים֙
and the princes
a head person (of any rank or class)
#5
לַלְוִיִּ֔ם
the Levites
a levite or descendant of levi
#6
וַֽיְהַלְלוּ֙
And they sang praises
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
#7
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
unto the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
בְּדִבְרֵ֥י
with the words
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#9
דָוִ֖יד
of David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#10
וְאָסָ֣ף
and of Asaph
asaph, the name of three israelites, and of the family of the first
#11
הַֽחֹזֶ֑ה
the seer
a beholder in vision; also a compact (as looked upon with approval)
#12
וַֽיְהַלְלוּ֙
And they sang praises
to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ
#13
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#14
לְשִׂמְחָ֔ה
with gladness
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
#15
וַֽיִּקְּד֖וּ
and they bowed their heads
to shrivel up, i.e., contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference
#16
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוֽוּ׃
and worshipped
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 2 Chronicles. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection