2 Chronicles 29:7

KJV

Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy [place] unto the God of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also they have shut up {H5462} the doors {H1817} of the porch {H197}, and put out {H3518} the lamps {H5216}, and have not burned {H6999} incense {H7004} nor offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} in the holy {H6944} place unto the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They sealed the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamps and stopped burning incense and offering burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

They also shut the doors of the portico and extinguished the lamps. They did not burn incense or present burnt offerings in the Holy Place of the God of Israel.

American Standard Version

Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt-offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 29:7 vividly portrays the profound spiritual desolation and abandonment of divinely ordained worship in the Jerusalem Temple during the apostate reign of King Ahaz, a lament echoed by his righteous son, King Hezekiah. This verse, part of Hezekiah's urgent call to the Levites and priests, details the specific acts of neglect – the closing of the Temple doors, the extinguishing of the sacred lamps, and the cessation of incense burning and burnt offerings – that rendered the sanctuary dormant and defiled, underscoring the deep spiritual crisis that necessitated immediate and comprehensive restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** King Hezekiah's impassioned address to the Levites and priests in [2 Chronicles 29:5-11](/2_chronicles/29-5 "2 Chronicles 29:5-11 - Hezekiah's Call to Consecration") serves as the immediate backdrop for verse 7. Having just ascended the throne, Hezekiah immediately confronts the spiritual decay inherited from his father, King Ahaz, whose reign was marked by profound idolatry and the deliberate closure of the Temple doors, as recorded in [2 Chronicles 28:24](/2_chronicles/28-24 "2 Chronicles 28:24 - Ahaz's Desecration of the Temple"). This verse specifically enumerates the consequences of Ahaz's actions, setting the stage for Hezekiah's sweeping reforms, which begin with the immediate opening and cleansing of the Temple, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 29:3](/2_chronicles/29-3 "2 Chronicles 29:3 - Hezekiah Opens the Temple Doors").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Historically, the period preceding Hezekiah's reign was one of severe spiritual apostasy in Judah under King Ahaz. Ahaz had not only embraced foreign cults and idolatry but had actively suppressed the worship of Yahweh, even going so far as to desecrate and shut down the Jerusalem Temple. This act was a profound cultural and religious affront, as the Temple was the spiritual heart of the nation, the designated place for God's presence among His people, and the center of all prescribed worship according to the Mosaic Law. The cessation of daily sacrifices and rituals, as described in this verse, reflected a nation that had turned its back on its covenant God, leading to divine judgment and national distress, including military defeats and economic hardship.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/1 "The Book of 2 Chronicles") and the broader Deuteronomistic history. Firstly, it highlights the **Cessation of True Worship**, demonstrating how the deliberate neglect of God's commands led to the abandonment of the very practices – such as the perpetual lamps ([Exodus 27:20-21](/exodus/27-20 "Exodus 27:20-21 - The Command for the Perpetual Lamp")) and daily offerings ([Exodus 29:38-42](/exodus/29-38 "Exodus 29:38-42 - Daily Burnt Offerings")) – that sustained the covenant relationship. Secondly, the 'putting out the lamps' symbolizes **Spiritual Darkness**, indicating a profound absence of God's light and guidance, a direct consequence of national idolatry and disobedience. Finally, the failure to offer burnt offerings and incense underscores a severe **Breach of Covenant**, as these rituals were fundamental expressions of atonement, purification, and communion with God, as outlined in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "The Book of Leviticus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shut up (Hebrew, _sagar'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate and decisive act of closing or sealing, rather than mere neglect. It implies an intentional cessation of access and function, emphasizing King Ahaz's active suppression of Yahweh worship and his desire to prevent any proper Temple service.
* **Lamps (Hebrew, _nerot'_):** Refers specifically to the lamps of the golden lampstand (menorah) in the Holy Place. According to [Exodus 27:20-21](/exodus/27-20 "Exodus 27:20-21 - The Command for the Perpetual Lamp"), these lamps were to burn continually before the Lord, symbolizing God's perpetual presence and light among His people. Their extinguishment represented a profound spiritual darkness and the withdrawal of divine illumination.
* **Holy [place] (Hebrew, _qodesh'_):** While the KJV adds 'place' for clarity, the Hebrew word simply means 'holy' or 'sanctuary.' In this context, it refers to the inner chamber of the Temple, the Holy Place, which housed the golden lampstand, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense. This specification highlights that the neglect was not merely external but impacted the core, sacred elements of daily Temple service, where priests performed their regular duties.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also they have shut up the doors of the porch":** This refers to the main entrance doors of the Temple's porch (ulam), which led into the Holy Place. Their closure signified a deliberate act of preventing access to God's presence and the cessation of all public worship and priestly service, effectively rendering the Temple unusable.
* **"and put out the lamps":** This directly refers to the lamps of the golden lampstand (menorah) in the Holy Place. These lamps were commanded to burn perpetually ([Exodus 27:20-21](/exodus/27-20 "Exodus 27:20-21 - The Perpetual Lamp")). Their extinguishment symbolized the spiritual darkness that had fallen upon the nation due to their apostasy, representing a loss of divine light, guidance, and the visible manifestation of God's presence.
* **"and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy [place] unto the God of Israel":** This details the cessation of two fundamental daily rituals. The burning of incense on the golden altar of incense ([Exodus 30:7-8](/exodus/30-7 "Exodus 30:7-8 - The Altar of Incense")) symbolized the prayers of the saints ascending to God, while burnt offerings ([Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")) were primary sacrifices for atonement and consecration. Their absence in the 'holy place' (the main sanctuary) meant that the essential means of communion, atonement, and worship with Yahweh had been completely abandoned, severing the covenant relationship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs powerful **Symbolism** to convey the depth of spiritual decay. The 'shutting up of the doors' symbolizes the nation's deliberate turning away from God and the cessation of access to His presence. The 'putting out the lamps' is a potent symbol of spiritual darkness, representing the absence of divine light, truth, and guidance that should emanate from the Temple. The failure to offer 'incense' and 'burnt offerings' symbolizes the breakdown of communion, atonement, and devotion between God and His people. Furthermore, there is a strong **Contrast** evident, particularly when reading this verse against the backdrop of King Hezekiah's immediate and vigorous efforts to restore worship, highlighting the stark difference between Ahaz's apostasy and Hezekiah's piety. The enumerative structure of the neglected acts also creates a form of **Parallelism**, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the spiritual abandonment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores the theological truth that true worship is not optional but essential for maintaining a vibrant relationship with God and for the spiritual well-being of a nation or individual. The deliberate cessation of divinely ordained rituals in the Temple represented a national rejection of God's covenant and His commands, leading to spiritual darkness and divine judgment. It teaches that disobedience and neglect of God's prescribed ways inevitably lead to a severing of communion and a loss of His manifest presence. The actions described were not merely administrative oversights but deeply spiritual affronts, demonstrating a profound disrespect for God's holiness and His established means of grace.
* [1 Samuel 2:30](/1_samuel/2-30 "1 Samuel 2:30 - Those who honor me I will honor")
* [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21 "Amos 5:21-24 - God's Rejection of Hypocritical Worship")
* [Malachi 1:10](/malachi/1-10 "Malachi 1:10 - God's Displeasure with Defiled Offerings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The historical account of 2 Chronicles 29:7 serves as a timeless warning and a powerful call to spiritual vigilance for believers today. Just as the physical Temple in Jerusalem required constant attention and adherence to God's commands for its lamps to burn and its sacrifices to be offered, our individual spiritual lives and our corporate church communities demand diligent cultivation. Neglecting the 'doors of the porch' in our hearts might mean allowing apathy or sin to block our access to God through prayer and confession. 'Putting out the lamps' could symbolize allowing spiritual disciplines like consistent Bible study, meditation on God's Word, and active fellowship to wane, leading to a loss of divine light and discernment in our lives. The failure to 'burn incense' or 'offer burnt offerings' can manifest as a decline in heartfelt worship, sincere prayer, and sacrificial service to God. Hezekiah's immediate and decisive action to restore proper worship highlights the urgency of spiritual revival when such neglect sets in, urging us to proactively maintain our 'holy place' – our hearts and our churches – as vibrant, illuminated centers of God-honoring worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life might I have "shut up the doors" or "put out the lamps," leading to a diminished sense of God's presence?**
* **What specific spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, Bible reading, corporate worship, service) do I need to re-ignite or prioritize to ensure my "holy place" remains vibrant?**
* **How can I, like Hezekiah, proactively address spiritual neglect in my own life or in my community, rather than waiting for a crisis?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "putting out the lamps" in the Temple?**

Answer: The lamps referred to were those of the golden lampstand (menorah) in the Holy Place, which were commanded by God to burn continually ([Exodus 27:20-21](/exodus/27-20 "Exodus 27:20-21 - The Perpetual Lamp")). Their light symbolized God's perpetual presence, His truth, and His guidance among His people. Therefore, "putting out the lamps" was a profound act of spiritual rebellion and neglect, signifying the withdrawal of God's light from the nation due to their apostasy under King Ahaz. It represented a descent into spiritual darkness, a loss of divine revelation, and a severing of the visible manifestation of God's covenant presence.

**Why was the cessation of burnt offerings and incense burning so serious?**

Answer: Burnt offerings and incense burning were foundational elements of the daily Temple service prescribed by God in the Mosaic Law. Burnt offerings ([Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")) were primary sacrifices for atonement for sin and for expressing complete dedication to God. The burning of incense on the golden altar of incense ([Exodus 30:7-8](/exodus/30-7 "Exodus 30:7-8 - The Altar of Incense")) symbolized the prayers of the saints ascending to God and was part of the daily ritual of communion. Their cessation meant that the divinely appointed means for seeking atonement, expressing devotion, and maintaining fellowship with God had been completely abandoned. This was a direct breach of God's covenant, indicating a profound spiritual apathy and rebellion that cut off the nation from God's grace and blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The spiritual desolation described in [2 Chronicles 29:7](/2_chronicles/29-7 "2 Chronicles 29:7 - The Temple's Neglect") finds its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The defiled and neglected Temple, with its extinguished lamps and ceased offerings, powerfully foreshadows humanity's desperate spiritual state apart from God, where true worship is impossible and darkness reigns. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the true Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")). He is the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), rendering all previous burnt offerings obsolete by His once-for-all atonement on the cross ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Jesus is the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), replacing the extinguished lamps of the Temple with His eternal illumination, guiding those who follow Him out of darkness. Through Him, believers become living temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies, Temples of the Holy Spirit")), no longer needing physical rituals but offering spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds through Him ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Deeds")). Thus, Christ not only restores but perfects the worship that was lost, opening the 'doors' to God's presence forever.

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 28:24

And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

Leviticus 24:2

Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.

Leviticus 24:8

Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, [being taken] from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.

Malachi 1:10

Who [is there] even among you that would shut the doors [for nought]? neither do ye kindle [fire] on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

2 Kings 16:17

¶ And king Ahaz cut off the borders of the bases, and removed the laver from off them; and took down the sea from off the brasen oxen that [were] under it, and put it upon a pavement of stones.

2 Kings 16:18

And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.

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.