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Book of 2 Chronicles - Chapter 29 - Verse 16

29:16
And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.

Meaning

This verse from the second book of Chronicles describes a ceremonial cleansing performed by the priests and Levites in the house of the Lord. The priests entered the inner part of the temple to remove all the uncleanness they found, bringing it out into the courtyard. The Levites then took the impurities and carried them out to the brook Kidron. This symbolic act of purifying the temple was a significant part of ancient Jewish religious practices. The cleansing process was essential for maintaining the sanctity and purity of the temple, ensuring that it remained a holy place where God's presence could dwell. By removing all impurities, the priests and Levites were upholding the importance of cleanliness and reverence in worship. The brook Kidron served as a means of disposing of the uncleanness, signifying the separation of impurity from the sacred space of the temple. Overall, this verse underscores the importance of spiritual purity and the meticulous care taken in maintaining the house of the Lord.

Theological Overview

Within the context of this verse, we see the priests entering the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it. This act of cleansing symbolizes the importance of purifying one's heart and surroundings in order to be in the presence of God. The act of bringing out all the uncleanness found in the temple into the court signifies the removal of impurities from within, both physically and spiritually. The Levites then take the uncleanness to the brook Kidron, symbolizing the complete removal and disposal of sin and impurity. This demonstrates the necessity of dealing with sin decisively and completely, leaving no room for it to remain in our lives.

American Standard Version

And the priests went in unto the inner part of the house of Jehovah, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of Jehovah into the court of the house of Jehovah. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad to the brook Kidron.
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