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.
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. King Hezekiah commanded the priests, who were descendants of Aaron, to offer these animals on the LORD's altar.
King Hezekiah had the priests sacrifice many animals to God as a way of asking forgiveness for the sins of the entire nation and to make the temple holy again.
📚 Historical Context
This took place during King Hezekiah's religious reforms around 715 BC, when he reopened and purified the Jerusalem temple after years of neglect under previous kings. The temple had been closed and defiled, so extensive sin offerings were needed to restore proper worship. The number seven was considered perfect and complete in Hebrew culture, emphasizing the thoroughness of this restoration.
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