2 Chronicles 29:6

KJV

For our fathers have trespassed, and done [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned [their] backs.

KJV (with Strong's)

For our fathers {H1} have trespassed {H4603}, and done {H6213} that which was evil {H7451} in the eyes {H5869} of the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, and have forsaken {H5800} him, and have turned away {H5437} their faces {H6440} from the habitation {H4908} of the LORD {H3068}, and turned {H5414} their backs {H6203}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For our ancestors acted treacherously, they did what is evil from the perspective of ADONAI our God, they abandoned him, they turned their faces away from where ADONAI lives and turned their backs on him.

Berean Standard Bible

For our fathers were unfaithful and did evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They abandoned Him, turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the LORD, and turned their backs on Him.

American Standard Version

For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of Jehovah, and turned their backs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 29:6 presents King Hezekiah's profound and unsparing confession of national sin at the dawn of his reign. This pivotal verse encapsulates the deep spiritual decline of Judah, directly attributing the nation's dire state to the deliberate apostasy, unfaithfulness, and contemptuous rejection of the Lord by previous generations. Hezekiah's blunt assessment of "our fathers'" trespasses, their abandonment of God, and their defiant turning away from His sacred dwelling place, the Temple, provides the foundational theological justification for his immediate and comprehensive religious reforms aimed at restoring proper worship and covenant fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse forms a critical component of King Hezekiah's inaugural address to the Levites and priests, delivered in the first month of his reign, as recorded in [2 Chronicles 29:3](/2_chronicles/29-3 "2 Chronicles 29:3 - Hezekiah's Call to the Levites"). Having just initiated the repair and reopening of the long-neglected Temple doors, Hezekiah immediately confronts the profound spiritual decay that had afflicted Judah, particularly under the idolatrous reign of his father, King Ahaz. The preceding verses establish Hezekiah's righteous character and his swift action to consecrate the Temple ([2 Chronicles 29:1-3](/2_chronicles/29-1-3 "2 Chronicles 29:1-3 - Hezekiah's Righteous Reign Begins")), while the subsequent verses detail his urgent call for the Levites to sanctify themselves and cleanse the defiled sanctuary ([2 Chronicles 29:7-11](/2_chronicles/29-7-11 "2 Chronicles 29:7-11 - Hezekiah's Exhortation to the Levites")). Thus, verse 6 functions as the crucial diagnosis of the nation's spiritual malady, setting the indispensable theological groundwork for the extensive spiritual revival and Temple cleansing that Hezekiah orchestrates throughout the remainder of the chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hezekiah ascended the throne following the reign of his father, Ahaz, who was notoriously wicked and plunged Judah into profound idolatry. Ahaz had not only closed the doors of the Temple but also erected altars to foreign gods throughout Jerusalem, even sacrificing his own son in the fire ([2 Chronicles 28:2-4](/2_chronicles/28-2-4 "2 Chronicles 28:2-4 - Ahaz's Idolatry") and [2 Chronicles 28:24](/2_chronicles/28-24 "2 Chronicles 28:24 - Ahaz Closes the Temple")). This period represented a severe departure from the Mosaic covenant and the exclusive worship of Yahweh. The Temple, intended as the central locus of God's dwelling and worship, had been desecrated and neglected, mirroring the spiritual desolation of the nation. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, to "turn away their faces from the habitation of the LORD" and "turn their backs" was a profound act of disrespect and rejection. Facing a superior or a sacred space was a sign of honor and reverence; conversely, turning one's back signified utter contempt. This deliberate turning away symbolized a complete abandonment of their covenant relationship with God and an embrace of pagan practices, a recurring pattern in Israel's history, as vividly documented in books like [Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - Israel's Cycle of Apostasy").
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes evident in [2 Chronicles 29:6](/2_chronicles/29-6 "2 Chronicles 29:6 - Hezekiah's Confession of National Sin") include **apostasy** and **unfaithfulness**, powerfully conveyed by the strong language of "trespassed" and "forsaken him." The verse underscores the severe consequences of **covenant breaking**, as the "fathers" had deliberately abandoned the Lord, who had faithfully delivered them from Egypt and established them in the promised land. It also emphasizes the paramount importance of **God's presence** and the reverence due to His dwelling place, the Temple, which had been shamefully desecrated. Hezekiah's confession implicitly calls for **repentance** and **restoration**, recognizing that a genuine return to God necessitates an honest acknowledgment of both past and present sin. This overarching theme of national repentance and revival is central to Hezekiah's reign and stands in stark contrast to the spiritual decline under Ahaz, mirroring the broader Deuteronomistic theology of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trespassed (Hebrew, _mâʻal'_):** This verb (H4603) signifies an act of unfaithfulness, treachery, or sacrilege, often involving a breach of trust or a violation of a sacred obligation. It is a strong term used in the Old Testament to describe a serious offense against God, particularly in the context of covenant breaking or misuse of holy things. Here, it implies a deliberate and grave transgression against the Lord and the covenant relationship He established with Israel, far beyond mere negligence. It suggests a profound betrayal of their sacred duty and identity as God's chosen people.
* **Forsaken (Hebrew, _ʻâzab'_):** This word (H5800) means to abandon, leave, or desert. When applied to God, it denotes a deliberate and conscious turning away from Him, rejecting His authority, commandments, and exclusive claim on their worship. It is not a passive drifting away but an active decision to sever ties with the divine relationship, often in favor of other gods or worldly pursuits. This act of forsaking is a direct violation of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me" ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")).
* **Habitation (Hebrew, _mishkân'_):** This term (H4908) refers to a residence or dwelling place. While it often denotes the Tabernacle in earlier biblical texts, in the context of the Chronicler's narrative concerning Jerusalem, it unequivocally refers to the Temple. This phrase emphasizes the profound sacredness of the Temple as God's chosen dwelling place among His people. To turn one's face or back from it was not merely an architectural slight but a profound spiritual insult, a direct affront to God's presence and authority. It symbolized a complete rejection of the very center of their national and religious identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For our fathers have trespassed":** Hezekiah initiates his confession with a direct and unsparing accusation, acknowledging the deep-seated sin of previous generations. The term "trespassed" (mâʻal) highlights the gravity of their offense as a betrayal of covenant trust, not merely a minor error. This corporate confession of ancestral sin is crucial for understanding the profound need for national repentance and cleansing.
* **"and done [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD our God":** This phrase further defines the nature of their trespass. It emphasizes that their actions were not merely culturally unacceptable but morally reprehensible in the ultimate judgment of God, who sees and knows all. It underscores the divine standard against which their conduct was measured and found wanting, signifying a violation of God's holy character and law.
* **"and have forsaken him":** This clause points to the core act of apostasy: a deliberate abandonment of the Lord Himself. It implies a conscious decision to turn away from the one true God, rejecting His covenant, His commands, and His exclusive claim on their worship. This was the root of their evil deeds, leading to widespread idolatry and spiritual decline.
* **"and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD":** This vivid imagery describes a deliberate act of disrespect and rejection. To turn one's face away from the Temple, God's dwelling place, was to turn away from God's presence, His blessing, and His covenant. It signifies a profound spiritual indifference and contempt for the very center of their national worship and identity.
* **"and turned [their] backs":** This final phrase intensifies the imagery of rejection. Turning one's back is an ultimate gesture of disdain, contempt, and complete disengagement. It portrays a deliberate and defiant refusal to acknowledge God's authority or presence, symbolizing a complete spiritual rebellion and a profound insult to the Almighty.

#### Literary Devices
Hezekiah's speech in [2 Chronicles 29:6](/2_chronicles/29-6 "2 Chronicles 29:6 - Hezekiah's Confession of National Sin") employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the gravity of Judah's spiritual state. The most prominent is **Confession**, as Hezekiah, speaking on behalf of the nation, openly acknowledges the deep-seated sin of their "fathers." This act of corporate confession is a crucial first step towards repentance and restoration. The verse also uses striking **Imagery** and **Metaphor** through the phrases "turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs." This is a powerful **anthropomorphic** description, attributing human actions of disrespect to the nation's relationship with God's dwelling place. It vividly portrays not just neglect, but an active, deliberate rejection and contempt for God's presence. The **Repetition** of "turned away" and "turned their backs" serves to emphasize the completeness and intentionality of their apostasy, highlighting a profound and sustained rebellion. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Rhetorical Justification**, providing the moral and theological basis for Hezekiah's subsequent radical reforms. By laying bare the extent of past sin, Hezekiah establishes the urgent necessity for the cleansing and restoration that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The confession in [2 Chronicles 29:6](/2_chronicles/29-6 "2 Chronicles 29:6 - Hezekiah's Confession of National Sin") resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of sin as a breach of covenant and a deliberate turning away from God. It highlights the corporate nature of sin, where the actions and choices of past generations can have profound and lasting consequences on the present. Hezekiah's acknowledgment of this inherited spiritual debt is a crucial step towards national repentance and revival, demonstrating that true restoration begins with a clear-eyed assessment of spiritual brokenness. The deliberate act of turning away from God's "habitation" underscores the importance of God's presence among His people and the reverence due to it, a theme central to the Old Testament. This verse also implicitly teaches that God's grace and mercy are available for those who genuinely turn back to Him, even after severe apostasy, setting the stage for the glorious renewal that follows in Hezekiah's reign.

* [Leviticus 26:30](/leviticus/26-30 "Leviticus 26:30 - Consequences of Idolatry")
* [Jeremiah 2:27](/jeremiah/2-27 "Jeremiah 2:27 - Turning Backs on God")
* [Ezekiel 8:16](/ezekiel/8-16 "Ezekiel 8:16 - Worshipping the Sun in the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's stark confession in [2 Chronicles 29:6](/2_chronicles/29-6 "2 Chronicles 29:6 - Hezekiah's Confession of National Sin") offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that spiritual decline often stems from a deliberate turning away from God, not merely passive neglect. Just as Judah's "fathers" actively chose to forsake the Lord and disrespect His presence, we too can subtly or overtly turn our backs on God through apathy, idolatry (whether of possessions, power, or self), or by neglecting His Word and His dwelling place among us, the church. This verse calls us to a radical honesty about our own spiritual state and the spiritual state of our communities. True revival, whether personal or corporate, must begin with a humble acknowledgment of sin—a willingness to name our "trespasses" and confess where we have "forsaken Him." Like Hezekiah, we are called not just to lament past failures but to actively initiate cleansing and restoration, turning our faces back towards the Lord and prioritizing His presence in our lives and in our churches. This means actively engaging with God's Word, participating in corporate worship, and seeking to live in obedience to His commands, thereby reversing any tendency to turn our backs on the source of all life and blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be subtly or overtly "turning away our faces" or "turning our backs" on God's presence today?**
* **What "trespasses" or acts of unfaithfulness, either personal or generational, might need to be confessed and repented of for true spiritual renewal to occur?**
* **How does my reverence for God's "habitation" (the church, the community of believers, or even my own body as a temple of the Holy Spirit) manifest in my daily life?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "turn my face" back towards the Lord and prioritize His presence more fully?**

### FAQ

**What does "trespassed" mean in this context, and why is it so significant?**

Answer: The Hebrew word translated "trespassed" is _maʻal_ (מָעַל), which carries a much stronger connotation than simply making a mistake. It signifies an act of unfaithfulness, treachery, or sacrilege, particularly in the context of violating a sacred trust or covenant. In [2 Chronicles 29:6](/2_chronicles/29-6 "2 Chronicles 29:6 - Hezekiah's Confession of National Sin"), it means that Judah's "fathers" deliberately acted in a way that betrayed their covenant relationship with God. This was not accidental neglect but a conscious and grave offense against the Lord, often involving the misuse of holy things or a turning to idolatry. Its significance lies in highlighting the severity of their sin as a profound breach of their commitment to Yahweh, justifying the radical cleansing and reforms that King Hezekiah was about to undertake. It underscores that their spiritual decline was a result of deliberate rebellion, not just ignorance.

**Why does Hezekiah blame "our fathers" for the nation's spiritual plight?**

Answer: Hezekiah's reference to "our fathers" is not merely an attempt to shift blame but an honest acknowledgment of the historical and generational nature of sin and its consequences. The Chronicler often highlights the legacy of kings, good or bad, and their impact on the nation. King Ahaz, Hezekiah's immediate predecessor, had led Judah into deep idolatry, closing the Temple doors and promoting pagan worship (see [2 Chronicles 28:2-4](/2_chronicles/28-2-4 "2 Chronicles 28:2-4 - Ahaz's Idolatry")). This verse recognizes that the current state of spiritual decay was not a sudden occurrence but the culmination of a pattern of unfaithfulness established by previous generations. By confessing the sins of "our fathers," Hezekiah demonstrates a corporate sense of responsibility and sets the stage for national repentance and a break from this cycle of apostasy, emphasizing that genuine revival requires confronting the past.

**What is the significance of "turning away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs"?**

Answer: This vivid imagery describes a profound act of disrespect and rejection towards God and His presence. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, turning one's face towards someone or something signified honor, attention, and reverence. Conversely, turning one's back was an ultimate gesture of disdain, contempt, and deliberate disengagement. The "habitation of the LORD" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, God's chosen dwelling place among His people. Therefore, to turn their faces and backs from the Temple was not just a symbolic act but a physical manifestation of their spiritual rebellion. It meant a complete abandonment of their covenant relationship with God, a rejection of His authority, and a profound insult to His holy presence. This deliberate act of spiritual rebellion underscored the depth of Judah's apostasy and the urgent need for restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's confession in [2 Chronicles 29:6](/2_chronicles/29-6 "2 Chronicles 29:6 - Hezekiah's Confession of National Sin"), detailing the "fathers'" trespasses and their turning away from the Lord's habitation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The defilement of the Temple and the abandonment of God's presence by Old Testament Israel foreshadowed humanity's deeper spiritual alienation from God due to sin. Jesus, however, is revealed as the true and ultimate "habitation of the LORD," the one in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). He declared Himself to be greater than the Temple ([Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Greater than the Temple")), and through His sacrificial death, He tore the veil of the Temple, signifying direct access to God's presence ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")). Where Israel's fathers turned their backs, Christ, through His atoning work, turns humanity's faces back to God, reconciling us to the Father. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), cleansing us from our trespasses and enabling us to become living temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body a Temple")). Thus, the spiritual cleansing and restoration initiated by Hezekiah find their perfect and eternal reality in the new covenant established by Christ, allowing all who believe to draw near to God with confidence ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Places")).

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

Ezekiel 8:16

And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, [were] about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.

Jeremiah 2:27

Saying to a stock, Thou [art] my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned [their] back unto me, and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.

2 Chronicles 28:2

For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.

2 Chronicles 28:4

He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

Jeremiah 2:13

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, [and] hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:17

Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way?

Jeremiah 44:21

The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it [not] into his mind?