2 Chronicles 29:29

KJV

And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when they had made an end {H3615} of offering {H5927}, the king {H4428} and all that were present {H4672} with him bowed {H3766} themselves, and worshipped {H7812}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the offering was over, the king and everyone present with him bowed down and prostrated themselves.

Berean Standard Bible

When the offerings were completed, the king and all those present with him bowed down and worshiped.

American Standard Version

And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves and worshipped.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures the climactic moment of spiritual revival under King Hezekiah, immediately following the extensive purification of the Temple and the completion of numerous sacrificial offerings. It depicts a profound, unified act of humble adoration and worship by both the king and all those present, signifying the nation's sincere repentance, the acceptance of their atonement, and their renewed covenant relationship with the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the culmination of a significant spiritual restoration initiated by King Hezekiah in [2 Chronicles 29](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29 - Hezekiah's Reforms and Temple Cleansing"). Having inherited a kingdom marred by idolatry and neglect under his father, King Ahaz (as detailed in [2 Chronicles 28](/2_chronicles/28 "2 Chronicles 28 - Ahaz's Wicked Reign")), Hezekiah immediately prioritized the cleansing and reconsecration of the Lord's Temple. The preceding verses ([2 Chronicles 29:20-28](/2_chronicles/29-20 "2 Chronicles 29:20-28 - Sacrifices for Atonement")) describe the elaborate process of sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings made by the Levites and priests, accompanied by music and instruments, all designed to atone for the sins of the nation and re-establish proper worship. Verse 29 marks the point where these extensive ritual acts have been "made an end of," leading directly to the spontaneous and heartfelt response of worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Hezekiah reigned in Judah from approximately 715-686 BC, a period marked by significant political and spiritual challenges, including the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. His reign stands in stark contrast to the apostasy of his father, Ahaz, who had closed the Temple doors and promoted pagan worship. In ancient Israel, the Temple was the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence. Sacrifices were the divinely ordained means of atonement and fellowship. The act of bowing and prostrating oneself was a universal sign of profound respect, submission, and adoration in the ancient Near East, particularly before a king or deity. For the king and the entire assembly to perform this act collectively after the offerings underscored the corporate nature of their sin, repentance, and renewed devotion to Yahweh, rejecting the syncretism that had plagued Judah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/ "The Book of 2 Chronicles - History of the Kings of Judah") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **restoration of true worship**, moving from the defilement and neglect under Ahaz to a renewed commitment to God's prescribed rituals and sincere adoration. Secondly, it emphasizes **humility and reverence** before God, as seen in the physical posture of bowing and the spiritual act of worship. This posture acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty and holiness, a theme echoed in passages like [Psalm 95:6](/psalms/95-6 "Psalm 95:6 - Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down"). Thirdly, the participation of "the king and all that were present with him" underscores the theme of **corporate devotion and unity** in worship, demonstrating a collective spiritual turning. Finally, the sequence of offerings followed by worship suggests a profound sense of **divine acceptance and reconciliation**, indicating that their sacrifices were pleasing to God and their fellowship restored, foreshadowing the ultimate reconciliation offered through Christ, as seen in [Romans 5:11](/romans/5-11 "Romans 5:11 - Reconciliation Through Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"made an end" (Hebrew, _kalah'_):** This verb signifies completion, finishing, or bringing to an end. In this context, it emphasizes that the extensive and demanding process of purifying the Temple and offering the prescribed sacrifices was fully accomplished. It implies a thoroughness and finality to their ritual acts, setting the stage for the spiritual response that follows. The completion of the external acts of worship then allows for the internal, heartfelt response.
* **"bowed themselves" (Hebrew, _qadad'_):** This verb specifically describes the physical act of bowing down, often with the head lowered to the ground or the body prostrated. It is a posture of deep humility, respect, and submission. In a religious context, it signifies acknowledging the superior authority and majesty of God. The use of the reflexive form ("bowed themselves") highlights that this was a deliberate, self-initiated act by the king and the people, not something coerced.
* **"worshipped" (Hebrew, _shachah'_):** This is a foundational Hebrew term for worship, meaning "to prostrate oneself," "to do homage," or "to bow down." While often involving a physical posture, it encompasses the broader spiritual act of adoration, reverence, and submission to a deity. The pairing of _qadad_ ("bowed themselves") and _shachah_ ("worshipped") in this verse creates a powerful emphasis, indicating that their physical posture of humility was a direct manifestation of their inner spiritual reverence and adoration for God. It was a holistic act of body and spirit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they had made an end of offering":** This clause establishes the temporal context, indicating that the act of worship was a direct response to the completion of the sacrificial rituals. The "offering" refers to the extensive sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings detailed in the preceding verses, which were made to atone for the nation's sins and consecrate them anew to God. The completion signifies that the necessary steps for reconciliation and purification had been taken according to God's law.
* **"the king and all that were present with him":** This highlights the corporate nature of the worship. It was not just a private act by Hezekiah but a unified, communal response involving the entire assembly. This emphasizes the shared spiritual experience and the collective turning of the nation back to God, underscoring the importance of corporate worship and the leader's role in guiding the people in devotion.
* **"bowed themselves, and worshipped":** This climactic phrase describes the profound spiritual and physical response. "Bowed themselves" denotes the physical posture of humility and submission, while "worshipped" encompasses the deeper spiritual act of adoration, reverence, and homage to God. The combination emphasizes the sincerity and totality of their devotion, a complete surrender and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and holiness after witnessing the efficacy of the atonement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition** and **Emphasis** through the pairing of "bowed themselves" (_qadad_) and "worshipped" (_shachah_). While both terms relate to prostration and homage, their conjunction intensifies the sense of profound humility, reverence, and complete submission to God. This dual expression underscores the totality of their physical and spiritual surrender. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Symbolism**, where the physical act of bowing serves as a visible manifestation of an internal spiritual state of awe, respect, and adoration. The collective action of "the king and all that were present with him" also employs **Synecdoche**, where the king and the assembly represent the entire nation of Judah, signifying a corporate turning back to God. Finally, the verse functions as a **Climax** in the narrative of Hezekiah's reforms, serving as the culminating spiritual response to the successful completion of the Temple purification and sacrificial offerings, bringing the ritual acts to their intended spiritual fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse beautifully illustrates the proper response to divine grace and atonement: humble worship. After the elaborate and costly process of cleansing the Temple and making sacrifices for sin, the king and the people did not merely disperse but immediately engaged in a profound act of corporate worship. This demonstrates that true worship is not just about ritualistic performance but about a heart posture of humility, gratitude, and adoration in response to God's provision for sin. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine reconciliation with God leads inevitably to reverent worship, acknowledging His holiness and sovereignty. The collective nature of their response highlights the importance of communal worship and shared spiritual experience in the life of God's people.

* [Psalm 95:6](/psalms/95-6 "Psalm 95:6 - Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down")
* [Nehemiah 8:6](/nehemiah/8-6 "Nehemiah 8:6 - Ezra Blesses the Lord and the People Worship")
* [Revelation 4:10](/revelation/4-10 "Revelation 4:10 - The Elders Fall Down and Worship")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 2 Chronicles 29:29 offers a powerful blueprint for our own spiritual lives. It reminds us that our acts of service, obedience, and even repentance should culminate in heartfelt worship. Just as the people of Judah responded with adoration after their sins were atoned for, we too are called to approach God with humility and reverence, especially in light of the ultimate sacrifice made for us. True worship is not merely a formality but a profound, holistic response of our entire being – body, mind, and spirit – to the goodness and holiness of God. It is a recognition that all our efforts and blessings flow from Him, and our proper response is to bow in awe and gratitude. This verse challenges us to consider if our worship is truly sincere, collective, and a natural outpouring of a heart reconciled to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the physical act of bowing or prostrating oneself contribute to a deeper spiritual experience of worship?**
* **In what ways can our personal and corporate worship today reflect the humility and reverence demonstrated by Hezekiah and the people?**
* **How does the completion of a task or act of obedience (like the offerings) lead to a natural outpouring of worship in your own life?**
* **What does it mean for worship to be "corporate," and how can we foster a more unified and sincere communal worship experience?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the king and "all that were present with him" bowing and worshipping?**
Answer: The participation of "the king and all that were present with him" is highly significant because it demonstrates a corporate, unified act of national repentance and devotion. King Hezekiah, as the spiritual leader, set the example, and the entire assembly followed, indicating a widespread spiritual revival and a collective turning back to God. This highlights the importance of communal worship and the shared spiritual journey of a people, where leaders and congregants alike humble themselves before the Lord. It signifies that the atonement offered was for the entire nation, and their worship was a collective expression of gratitude and renewed covenant. This corporate response is a recurring theme in Israel's history when they return to the Lord, as seen in [Nehemiah 8:6](/nehemiah/8-6 "Nehemiah 8:6 - Ezra Blesses the Lord and the People Worship") where the people respond to Ezra's blessing by bowing and worshipping.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound act of worship in [2 Chronicles 29:29](/2_chronicles/29-29 "2 Chronicles 29:29 - King Hezekiah and the People Worship") serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the ultimate reconciliation and access to God made possible through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrifices, though necessary and divinely ordained, were temporary and had to be repeated, pointing to a greater, once-for-all atonement. Hezekiah and the people bowed in worship *after* the offerings had been made, signifying that their reconciliation with God was complete and accepted. Similarly, through the singular, perfect sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), believers are granted full and permanent access to God's presence. We do not offer repeated sacrifices, but rather, we worship in spirit and truth because Christ has "made an end" of sin's power and guilt on the cross ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice")). Our worship, therefore, is not merely a response to a completed ritual but a joyous and humble adoration of the One who has perfectly accomplished our redemption. Just as the king and people bowed, we are called to bow our hearts and lives before the resurrected Lord, recognizing His supreme authority and the finished work that grants us peace with God ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justification by Faith")). Our worship is a continuous, Spirit-empowered response to the [glorious grace of God in Christ Jesus](/ephesians/1-6 "Ephesians 1:6 - To the Praise of His Glorious Grace").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 20:18

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with [his] face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

1 Chronicles 29:20

And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.

Romans 14:11

For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Psalms 72:11

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

Philippians 2:10

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;

Philippians 2:11

And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.