And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
Read it in contextHezekiah's Passover Revival
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 30:1 (2 Chronicles 30:1 to 2 Chronicles 30:27).
This passage describes King Hezekiah's efforts to restore the Passover celebration and unite the people of Israel and Judah in worship of the LORD.
30:1And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
30:2For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
30:3For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
30:4And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
30:5So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.
30:6So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
30:7And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.
30:8Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
30:9For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
30:10So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.
30:11Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
30:12Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
30:13And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
30:14And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.
30:15Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
30:16And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.
30:17For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.
30:18For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one
30:19That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
30:20And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
30:21And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.
30:22And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
30:23And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.
30:24For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.
30:25And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.
30:26So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.
30:27Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution, while the final compiler is not known with certainty. First and Second Chronicles are parts of the same historical work. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Chronicles 29:1–31:21): Hezekiah addresses priests, Levites, and the gathered people concerning restored worship, Passover, and provision for temple service. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after exile, especially those concerned with the temple, worship, the Davidic kings, and the call to return and rebuild. Biblical references: 2 Chronicles 36:20; 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? King Hezekiah sent letters throughout all Israel and Judah, including Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting them to Jerusalem to keep the Passover unto the LORD God of Israel. This was part of a broader effort to restore proper worship and unity among God's people after a long period of neglect.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His desire for His people to return to Him and obey His commandments, specifically regarding the Passover. He demonstrates His grace and mercy by accepting those who humble themselves and seek Him, even when they are not perfectly clean according to the law, as seen in Hezekiah's prayer and God's response.
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative history.
When
When was it written? The book was written approximately 450 to 425 B.C.
When does the event take place? The event takes place during the reign of King Hezekiah, specifically when the Passover was kept in the second month because it could not be kept at the usual time in the first month.
Where
Where did it happen? Hezekiah sent letters from Jerusalem to all Israel and Judah, including the regions of Ephraim and Manasseh. The Passover was to be kept at Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD.
Where was the author located? The author was located in Jerusalem.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Hezekiah's Passover Revival (2 Chronicles 30:1 to 2 Chronicles 30:27).
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 30:1. This passage describes King Hezekiah's efforts to restore the Passover celebration and unite the people of Israel and Judah in worship of the LORD.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse initiates a significant religious revival under King Hezekiah, following his cleansing of the temple and re-establishment of proper worship. It demonstrates his commitment to restoring the worship of the LORD and uniting the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah in obedience to God's law, particularly the Passover celebration, which had been neglected for a long time. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? The Passover, which Hezekiah sought to restore, is a foundational type of Christ. The lamb sacrificed for the Passover points to Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb, whose blood provides redemption. Hezekiah's invitation for all to come and be cleansed, and his intercession for those who were not purified, foreshadows Christ's universal invitation to salvation and His role as intercessor for His people, enabling them to draw near to God. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage encourages believers to return to God's commands and to seek Him with a prepared heart, even when circumstances are not perfect. It highlights God's gracious and merciful nature, showing that He will not turn away from those who return to Him. It also emphasizes the importance of unity among God's people in worship and obedience.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles 30
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Major reforms are set beside the sins of intervening reigns, preserving the tension between renewal and approaching judgment.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Major reforms are set beside the sins of intervening reigns, preserving the tension between renewal and approaching judgment.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.