2 Chronicles 29:17
Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
Hezekiah's appeal for reform met with an immediate response, for the priests began at once to sanctify the temple. Those first addressed enlisted the cooperation of others of their number who had not been present when the call was given. Priests and Levites then joined heartily together in the work of cleansing and sanctifying the house of God. Years of desecration and neglect had made the task full of difficulties, yet they labored untiringly and completed it within a remarkably short time. What was begun on the first day of the first month was brought to an end on the sixteenth day of that month.
The cleansing involved practical restoration as well as ceremonial sanctification. The doors of the temple were repaired and thrown open. The sacred vessels were assembled and put into their proper place. When these things were done, all was in readiness for the reestablishment of the sanctuary services.