II Chronicles 30
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Hezekiah sent to all Israel - It is not easy to find out how this was permitted by the king of Israel; but it is generally allowed that Hoshea, who then reigned over Israel, was one of their best kings. And as the Jews allow that at this time both the golden calves had been carried away by the Assyrians, - that at Dan by Tiglath-pileser, and that at Bethel by Shalmaneser, - the people who chose to worship Jehovah at Jerusalem were freely permitted to do it, and Hezekiah had encouragement to make the proclamation in question.
Open source ↗HEZEKIAH PROCLAIMS A PASSOVER. (Ch2 30:1-12) Hezekiah sent to all . . . Judah . . . to come to . . . Jerusalem, to keep the passover--This great religious festival had not been regularly observed by the Hebrews in their national capacity for a long time because of the division of the kingdom and the many disorders that had followed that unhappy event. Hezekiah longed extremely to see its observance revived; and the expression of his wishes having received a hearty response from the princes and chief men of his own kingdom, the preparatory steps were taken for a renewed celebration of the national solemnity. letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh--The names of these leading tribes are used for the whole kingdom of Israel. It was judged impossible, however, that the temple, the priests, and people could be all duly sanctified at the usual time appointed for the anniversary, namely, the fourteenth day of the first month (Nisan). Therefore it was resolved, instead of postponing the feast till another year, to observe it on the fourteenth day of the second month; a liberty which, being in certain circumstances (Num 9:6-13) granted to individuals, might, it was believed, be allowed to all the people. Hezekiah's proclamation was, of course, authoritative in his own kingdom, but it could not have been made and circulated in all the towns and villages of the neighboring kingdom without the concurrence, or at least the permission, of the Israelitish sovereign. Hoshea, the reigning king, is described as, though evil in some respects, yet more favorably disposed to religious liberty than any of his predecessors since the separation of the kingdom. This is thought to be the meaning of the mitigating clause in his character (Kg2 17:2).
Open source ↗And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah,.... Sent messengers to them, not only to the subjects of his own kingdom, Judah, but to all the Israelites that dwelt in it, who were come thither for the sake of religion, and the worship of God: and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh; which are put for all the ten tribes, as appears from Ch2 30:10 and are distinguished from Israel in the preceding clause: that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem; not that he laid his commands upon them to come, they not being his subjects, namely, those of the ten tribes; but he hereby admonished them of their duty, and gave them a kind invitation, signifying the doors of the temple were open for them, and they were welcome to come thither: to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel; to the glory of his name, who was the common Lord of them all, and whose command it was to keep the passover, and that at Jerusalem, and nowhere else, see Deu 16:1.
Open source ↗Destruction of the idols and the altars of the high places. Provisions for the ordering and maintenance of the temple worship, and the attendants upon it. - Ch2 31:1. At the conclusion of the festival, all the Israelites who had been present at the feast (הנּמצאים כּל־שׂראל to be understood as in Ch2 30:21) went into the cities of Judah, and destroyed all the idols, high places, and altars not only in Judah and Benjamin (the southern kingdom), but also in Ephraim and Manasseh (the domain of the ten tribes), utterly (עד־לככּה, cf. Ch2 24:10), and only then returned each to his home; cf. Kg2 18:4.
Open source ↗Here is, I. A passover resolved upon. That annual feast was instituted as a memorial of the bringing of the children of Israel out of Egypt. It happened that the reviving of the temple service fell within the appointed days of that feast, the seventeenth day of the first month: this brought that forgotten solemnity to mind. "What shall we do," says Hezekiah, "about the passover? It is a very comfortable ordinance, and has been long neglected. How shall we revive it? The time has elapsed for this year; we cannot go about it immediately; the congregation is thin, the people have not notice, the priests are not prepared, Ch2 30:3. Must we defer it till another year?" Many, it is likely, were for deferring it; but Hezekiah considered that by that time twelve-month the good affections of the people would cool, and it would be too long to want the benefit of the ordinance; and therefore, finding a proviso in the law of Moses that particular persons who were unclean in the first month might keep the passover the fourteenth day of the second month and be accepted (Num 9:11), he doubted not but that it might be extended to the congregation. Whereupon they resolved to keep the passover in the second month. Let the circumstance give way to the substance, and let not the thing itself be lost upon a nicety about the time. It is good striking while the iron is hot, and taking people when they are in a good mind. Delays are dangerous. II. A proclamation issued out to give notice of this passover and to summon the people to it. 1. An invitation was sent to the ten revolted tribes to stir them up to come and attend this solemnity. Letters were written to Ephraim and Manasseh to invite them to Jerusalem to keep this passover (Ch2 30:1), not with any political design, to bring them back t…
Open source ↗30:1-27 This account of Hezekiah’s celebration of Passover reflects the Chronicler’s concern with the unity of Israel, the spiritual preparedness of the people, and the success of following the formula for restoration given by Solomon at the dedication of the Temple (7:14).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְחִזְקִיָּה (Yᵉchizqîyâh, H3169) — Jechizkijah, the name of five Israelites שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) אִגֶּרֶת (ʼiggereth, H107) — an epistle אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application פֶּסַח (peçach, H6453) — a pretermission, i.e. exemption; used only techically of the Jewish Passover (the…
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application פֶּסַח (peçach, H6453) — a pretermission, i.e. exemption; used only techically of the Jewish Passover (the… שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month
Open source ↗יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) מַדַּי (madday, H4078) — what (is) enough, i.e. sufficiently דַּי (day, H1767) — enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָשַׁר (yâshar, H3474) — to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant,… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely)
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ, H884) — Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine דָּן (Dân, H1835) — Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory;… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application פֶּסַח (peçach, H6453) — a pretermission, i.e. exemption; used only techically of the Jewish Passover (the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect)
Open source ↗רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אִגֶּרֶת (ʼiggereth, H107) — an epistle יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… מָעַל (mâʻal, H4603) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) שַׁמָּה (shammâh, H8047) — ruin; by implication, consternation רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,…
Open source ↗קָשָׁה (qâshâh, H7185) — properly, to be dense, i.e. tough or severe (in various applications) עֹרֶף (ʻôreph, H6203) — the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מִקְדָּשׁ (miqdâsh, H4720) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of… קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָרוֹן (chârôwn, H2740) — a burning of anger אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… רַחַם (racham, H7356) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׁבָה (shâbâh, H7617) — to transport into captivity אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חַנּוּן (channûwn, H2587) — gracious רַחוּם (rachûwm, H7349) — compassionate סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative)
Open source ↗רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory זְבוּלוּן (Zᵉbûwlûwn, H2074) — Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe שָׂחַק (sâchaq, H7832) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play לָעַג (lâʻag, H3932) — to deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak unintelligibly
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אָשֵׁר (ʼÂshêr, H836) — happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also… מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory זְבוּלוּן (Zᵉbûwlûwn, H2074) — Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe כָּנַע (kânaʻ, H3665) — properly, to bend the knee; hence, to humiliate, vanquish בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חַג (chag, H2282) — a festival, or a victim therefor מַצָּה (matstsâh, H4682) — properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast);… שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely)
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) שָׁלַךְ (shâlak, H7993) — to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively) נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… קִדְרוֹן (Qidrôwn, H6939) — Kidron, a brook near Jerusalem
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Slaughter the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves, and make preparations for your fellow countrymen to carry out the word of the LORD given by Moses.”
Moreover, the priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel stood with Rehoboam.
Those from every tribe of Israel who had set their hearts to seek the LORD their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.
But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites.
How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!