What does 2 Chronicles 29:21 mean?
"And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD." - 2 Chronicles 29:21

2 Chronicles 29:21 (KJV) states, "And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the Lord."
This verse comes from the book of 2 Chronicles, which is a historical narrative within the Old Testament. It focuses on the reign of King Hezekiah and his efforts to reinstate the worship of Yahweh in Judah. In this specific verse, we witness the king's unique dedication to restoring the altar and implementing proper sacrificial rituals in the temple.
The number seven is significant in the Bible as it represents completion and perfection. The seven bullocks, rams, lambs, and he goats offered here signify a thorough and complete atonement for the sins of the kingdom, the sanctuary, and the people of Judah. The sin offering was a way for the people to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God, acknowledging their wrongdoing and seeking restoration.
The involvement of the priests, the sons of Aaron, in offering these sacrifices is crucial. As descendants of Aaron, the first high priest, they were responsible for carrying out the religious rituals and maintaining the sanctity of the temple. By commanding them to offer the sacrifices on the altar of the Lord, King Hezekiah sought to restore the proper order in the worship of God. This act symbolized the re-establishment of the covenant between God and His people through the designated intermediaries, the priests.
The context of this verse is also crucial for understanding its significance. Prior to King Hezekiah's reign, Judah was steeped in idolatry and had neglected the worship of Yahweh. The temple had fallen into disrepair, and the sacrificial system had been corrupted. However, King Hezekiah, described as a righteous and devout ruler, set out to bring about spiritual reform in the kingdom. One of his significant actions was to cleanse the temple and reinstate the proper worship of God. This verse reflects his commitment to this task and his desire to seek atonement for the sins of the people and the land.
As a symbol of atonement, the sin offering also carries deeper theological implications. In the Christian tradition, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament is seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The shedding of blood in the sin offering was meant to atone for sin and reconcile the people with God, pointing forward to the redemptive work of Christ. This verse, therefore, can be seen as a precursor to the concept of atonement through the offering of a pure and blameless sacrifice.
Overall, 2 Chronicles 29:21 is a significant verse that highlights the theme of spiritual renewal and restoration in the Old Testament. It emphasizes the importance of proper worship, repentance, and seeking forgiveness for sins. The act of offering the sin sacrifices reflects the commitment of King Hezekiah to restore the worship of Yahweh and signify the need for atonement and reconciliation with God. This verse also holds broader theological significance as it points to the foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the atonement of sin in the New Testament.
Have questions about 2 Chronicles 29:21?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
2 Chronicles 29:21 Artwork
2 Chronicles 29:21 - "And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 29:21 (KJVA) 21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.
"And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD." - 2 Chronicles 29:21
1 Chronicles 21:29 - "For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon."
2 Chronicles 29:29 - "And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped."
2 Chronicles 29:26 - "And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets."
2 Chronicles 20:21
2 Chronicles 21:9
2 Chronicles 29:13 - "And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:"
2 Chronicles 34:29 - "¶ Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 29:14 - "And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel."
2 Chronicles 29:2 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done."
2 Chronicles 29:33 - "And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep."
2 Chronicles 29:4 - "And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street,"
1 Chronicles 2:29 - "And the name of the wife of Abishur was Abihail, and she bare him Ahban, and Molid."
2 Chronicles 29:20 - "¶ Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 29:36 - "And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly."
2 Chronicles 29:23 - "And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:"
2 Chronicles 29:15 - "And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD."
2 Chronicles 29:28 - "And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished."
2 Chronicles 29:9 - "For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this."
2 Chronicles 29:3 - "¶ He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them."
2 Chronicles 4:21 - "And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;"
1 Chronicles 29:21 - "And they sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel:"
2 Chronicles 20:29 - "And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel."
2 Chronicles 21:18 - "¶ And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease."
"And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets." - 2 Chronicles 29:26
2 Chronicles 29:10 - "Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us."
2 Chronicles 32:29 - "Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much."
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"