2 Chronicles 30:3-13

3 since they could not celebrate it 1at that time, because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient numbers, nor had the people been gathered to Jerusalem.
4 Thus the thing was right in the sight of the king and all the assembly.
5 So they established a decree to circulate a proclamation throughout all Israel 2from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to celebrate the Passover to the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem. For they had not celebrated it in great numbers as it was prescribed.
6 3The couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the hand of the king and his princes, even according to the command of the king, saying, "O sons of Israel, return to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that He may return to those of you who escaped and are left from 4the hand of the kings of Assyria.
7 "5Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were unfaithful to the LORD God of their fathers, so that 6He made them a horror, as you see.
8 "Now do not 7stiffen your neck like your fathers, but yield * to the LORD and enter His sanctuary which He has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD your God, 8that His burning anger may turn away from you.
9 "For 9if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive and will return to this land. 10For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him."
10 So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but 11they laughed them to scorn and mocked them.
11 Nevertheless 12some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
12 The 13hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD.

Passover Reinstituted

13 Now many people were gathered at Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread 14in the second month, a very large assembly.

2 Chronicles 30:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 30

Hezekiah having consulted his nobles about keeping the passover the second month, and determined upon it, sent messengers throughout Israel and Judah, to acquaint them with it, at which some mocked, and others seriously attended to it, 2Ch 30:1-12 so it was celebrated in a solemn manner, though some were not qualified for it according to the law, and for whose pardon Hezekiah prayed, and it was granted, 2Ch 30:13-20, also the feast of unleavened bread was kept seven days, and a festival of seven days more was likewise observed with great joy and gladness, 2Ch 30:21-27.

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 2Ch 30:10,11 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 De 16:1-6. 19787-950128-1141-2Ch30.2

Cross References 14

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 29:17, 34
  • 2. Judges 20:1
  • 3. Esther 8:14; Job 9:25; Jeremiah 51:31
  • 4. 2 Chronicles 28:20
  • 5. Ezekiel 20:13
  • 6. 2 Chronicles 29:8
  • 7. Exodus 32:9
  • 8. 2 Chronicles 29:10
  • 9. Deuteronomy 30:2
  • 10. Exodus 34:6, 7; Micah 7:18
  • 11. 2 Chronicles 36:16
  • 12. 2 Chr 30:18, 21, 25
  • 13. 2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:20, 21
  • 14. 2 Chronicles 30:2

Footnotes 7

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