Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 30

Introduction

Second Chronicles Chapter 30

2 Chronicles 30:1 "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."

In the last lesson, we discovered that Hezekiah sacrificed the burnt and sin offerings in the name of all 12 tribes of Israel, not just for Judah. We see, in the verse above, that Hezekiah was making the temple in Jerusalem open to all of Israel for the purpose of worship. He wanted all of the twelve tribes to come and keep Passover in the temple in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 30:2 "For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month."

King Hezekiah had determined the thing to do was to celebrate Passover. The ten tribes of Israel were already in deep trouble, and Hoshea was possibly already in the hands of the Assyrians. Hezekiah believed that even at this late date, if the people would return to God and celebrate the Passover, He would still help Israel.

2 Chronicles 30:3 "For 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."

Actually, the celebration the king had just after the cleansing of the temple, that we studied in the last lesson, occurred two days after Passover should have been celebrated. It was done on the 16th day of the month, and Passover should have been on the 14th. It was very similar to Passover, but since it was not exact, Hezekiah would have a Passover feast a month later. We see that Hezekiah’s reason for the delay, was the fact that the priests were not sanctified, and ready to perform their duties in time.

2 Chronicles 30:4 "And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation."

The terrible fate of Israel could have frightened the people of Judah to the point that they wanted to seek God. They were pleased about celebrating Passover, again.

2 Chronicles 30:5 "So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba 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."

There were three feasts a year that were not optional. Passover was one of the three. The other two were Tabernacles and Feast of Weeks. These feasts were mandatory for every male, who was considered an adult.

2 Chronicles 30:6 "So 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."

There had been some who attempted to celebrate through the years, but the Passover had not been practiced the way the law intended it to be held. This was the first real Passover celebration in many years. The letters were sent to all of the families of Israel, as well as to those of Judah. There seemed to be a remnant of Israel, who had been spared, when the Assyrians overran Israel. Hezekiah was encouraging them to return to worship of the One True God, so He would help them.

2 Chronicles 30:7 "And 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."

The problem that Israel had been in, was because they had turned away from the LORD. Hezekiah encouraged them to break from that pattern of sin and return to the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:8 "Now 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."

This Is speaking of a people who are self-centered. They are too proud to humble themselves before the LORD. Hezekiah is encouraging them to come back to God. Hezekiah reminded them that the temple was established as the house of the LORD, while all 12 tribes were together. Hezekiah wanted them to come back to the LORD, so His wrath would turn away from them.

2 Chronicles 30:9 "For 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."

This was almost a plea from Hezekiah. It seems, that Hezekiah was like a preacher in this. He was encouraging Israel to repent and return to God. He was sure that the LORD would even bring their families back from captivity, if they would humble themselves, and return to the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:10 "So 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."

The posts, in this were speaking of a written document that Hezekiah sent to the lands of Ephraim, Manasseh, and all of the ten tribes of Israel. Ephraim had always been jealous of Judah, and they, along with the other tribes, would not take heed to the message that God had sent to them through Hezekiah. They not only would not accept the message Hezekiah sent, but laughed at him for thinking they might receive the message.

2 Chronicles 30:11 "Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem."

We see that even though the message was rejected by most of the people, there were a few who listened and came. We see they were not of the tribe of Ephraim, but of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun. It was worth the effort that Hezekiah had made, just for these few.

2 Chronicles 30:12 "Also 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."

In Judah, it seemed that everyone wanted to keep the Passover. They listened carefully to the instructions from Hezekiah and from the heads of their families, so they would do exactly as they should in this matter.

2 Chronicles 30:13 "And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation."

The Feast of Unleavened Bread occured at the same time as Passover. In fact, the celebration lasted a week. The people turned out in masses to keep the Passover and Unleavened Bread Feasts.

2 Chronicles 30:14 "And 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."

These were the altars to the false gods. They destroyed them, and threw them in the brook of Kidron.

2 Chronicles 30:15 "Then 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."

This was a great time of humbling of the priests and the Levites, as well as of the people. This was exactly one month later than the Passover lamb would have been sacrificed in ordinary circumstances.

2 Chronicles 30:16 "And 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."

All of this was done according to the Mosaic law. Leviticus 1:11 "And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar." To learn more specifics of this, read several verses following this one in Leviticus. The sprinkling of the blood was to atone for sin.

2 Chronicles 30:17 "For [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."

The original instructions were for the people who brought the offering, to kill the animal. They had been away from the LORD for such a long time, they were not ceremonially clean. The Levites, who had been cleansed, killed the animals for them.

2 Chronicles 30:18 "For 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"

2 Chronicles 30:19 "[That] prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though [he be] not [cleansed] according to the purification of the sanctuary."

Now, we see that some of Ephraim came, as well. They were not cleansed, and were not supposed to eat the passover. Hezekiah prayed that God would overlook this error and accept them, because they had come with a clean heart. They were seeking God, again, and Hezekiah would not let some technicality keep them from participating.

2 Chronicles 30:20 "And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people."

The LORD knew their hearts, and He accepted them. The healing was both spiritual and physical. We know they had to have broken hearts over all the problems that had come to them. God restores them to fellowship with Him.

2 Chronicles 30:21 "And 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."

This was a time of celebration. "Unleavened Bread" symbolized the sinless body of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was the Bread of life. The praise, songs, and music that went heavenward were sacrificial offerings of praise unto the Lord. This was a time of great rejoicing.

2 Chronicles 30:22 "And 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."

It appears, that Hezekiah was pleased with the Levites and the priests, and told them he was pleased. He was depending on them to stay with every letter of the law. They were trained in the law. Notice, the confessions were made to the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:23 "And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept [other] seven days with gladness."

This is just saying, they kept 14 days of celebration, instead of the normal 7. Hezekiah thought this extended time of celebration would be a lasting impression of the importance of Passover on all the people.

2 Chronicles 30:24 "For 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."

The priests generally worked a few at a time, but because of the tremendous volume of the sacrifices, many of the priests were sanctified to help with the offerings.

2 Chronicles 30:25 "And 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."

This was a time of restoration of their relationship with God. It was a time of rejoicing, because they were back in the good graces of the LORD. This celebration was not just for Judah, but for all who would come.

2 Chronicles 30:26 "So 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."

We know that God visited the temple in Jerusalem, and made His presence known to the congregation at the dedication of the temple. Solomon had knealt before the altar and prayed one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible at that time. This celebration compared with that for greatness of joy.

2 Chronicles 30:27 "Then 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."

Solomon had spoken a blessing from the LORD on the congregation at the dedication of the temple. The Priests and Levites spoke a blessing on the people here. The priests were anointed of God to bless. God heard in heaven, and was pleased.

2 Chronicles 30 Questions

1. How did Hezekiah contact all the people to tell them to come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the Passover?

2. Who is Hezekiah making the temple available to?

3. When were they going to keep the Passover?

4. Where was Hoshea, the king of Israel, at the time Hezekiah sent the letters?

5. Why were they having it a month late?

6. How did the king, and all the congregation, feel about having Passover?

7. The proclamation went out throughout all _____________.

8. What three feats were not optional?

9. What is Israel spoken of, in 2 Chronicles 30:6, that lets us know there were not many?

10. Who did Hezekiah tell them not to be like?

11. What does stiffnecked tell us about these people?

12. Why did Hezekiah want them to come back to God?

13. What promise did he make to them about the Lord in verse 9?

14. How did they accept the letters Hezekiah sent?

15. Who did come?

16. How did the people in Judah feel about the Passover?

17. When is the Feast of Unleavened Bread?

18. What did the people do with the altars to the false gods?

19. When did they kill the passover lamb?

20. Who sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice?

21. The sprinkling of the blood was to _________ for _________.

22. Who had the charge of killing the passovers?

23. Who generally did that?

24. 2 Chronicles 30:18 speaks of the large number of the congregation as a _____________.

25. Hezekiah would not let some ______________ keep them from participating.

26. Quote 2 Chronicles 30:20.

27. How many days did they keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread?

28. How did Hezekiah feel about the Levites and priests?

29. At the end of the celebration, what did they decide to do?

30. How many animals did Hezekiah give?

31. Whose time did they compare this to?

Verses 1-9

2Ch 30:1-9

2 Chronicles 30:1-9

HEZEKIAH LEADS ISRAEL IN OBSERVANCE OF PASSOVER;

AN INVITATION SENT TO ALL ISRAEL TO COME TO JERUSALEM FOR THE PASSOVER

"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel. For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together at Jerusalem. And the thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly. So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem: for they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written. So the posts went out with letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may return to the remnant that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, who trespassed against Jehovah, the God of their fathers, so that he gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiff-necked as your fathers were; but yield yourselves unto Jehovah, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever, and serve Jehovah your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you. For if ye turn again unto Jehovah, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that led them captive, and shall come again unto this land: for Jehovah your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him."

This wonderful invitation from Hezekiah is a remarkable testimony. It came following the fall of the Northern Israel to Assyria in 722 B.C., a disaster that Hezekiah attributed to their forsaking the true worship of God in Jerusalem. This is proof that long before the times of Josiah God had commanded the centralization of his worship in Jerusalem. Note also the significant words as it is written (2 Chronicles 30:5). The Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) was appealed to by Hezekiah in these words. It is also significant that Hezekiah admits here that the passover had indeed been kept previously but by small numbers of people (2 Chronicles 30:5).

"The king had taken counsel ... to keep the passover in the second month" (2 Chronicles 30:2). The divine instructions for the passover required its observance in the first month (Exodus 12:1-3); but the urgency of Hezekiah in his efforts to rally all Israel to a rebirth of their loyalty to God prompted this technical violation. Note also that not even the priests of Judah and Jerusalem had bothered to sanctify themselves for the legal passover a month earlier.

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 30:1. The 10 tribes had recently been taken off into captivity by the Assyrians; the details of that event are given in 2 Kings 17. But a number of individuals had escaped and got back into the home land, and were scattered through the different territories that had been the possession of the tribes. (2 Chronicles 30:6.) This explains the reference to Israel and Judah. The letters of Hezekiah were addressed to them as a whole, with specification of the ones who had descended from Joseph, namely, Ephraim and Manasseh. The first of the national feasts required by the law was the passover, which normally was observed in the first month.

2 Chronicles 30:2-3. Hezekiah was not a religious official exclusively, so it was appropriate that he hold a consultation with his leading citizens on so important a matter as the great feast. Their conclusion was that the conditions called for the provision made in the law for a substitute date. Numbers 9:6-11 stipulates that if the people are disqualified by uncleanness to partake of the feast in the first month, it should be done in the second. 2 Chronicles 29:17; 2 Chronicles 29:34 tells of that condition which was in the way of observing it on the original date. Another thing, on account of the general state all over the country, the people had not come together at Jerusalem. Therefore, the decision was to notify the Jews in the scattered districts to come to that city.

2 Chronicles 30:4. The king and the whole congregation (those already in the city) were in agreement on the subject, which caused them to be pleased.

2 Chronicles 30:5. Established a decree means it was decided officially by the assembly to make the invitation apply to the whole country. Beer-sheba was at the southern, and Dan at the northern extremity of the original kingdom of Israel. A reference to these cities was a figurative way of referring to the whole country. The passover had been neglected for a long time and not observed as the written law required.

2 Chronicles 30:6. Posts were persons sent out in a hurry on any mission at hand. In the present instance it was to take the letters of proclamation that had just been decided upon by the consultation between the king and his princes. These letters were not invitations merely; they were the commandment of the king. The letters were addressed to the children of Israel as a whole, for a reference was made to the common ancestors of them all, Abraham, Isaac and Israel. (Jacob.) This is the place that tells us some of the captives had escaped from the Assyrians, and were back in their original home country in the several possessions.

2 Chronicles 30:7. God made a distinction between the leaders of the nation, and the individuals in the nation who could not prevent the public transgressions. When we come to the books of the prophets this will manifest itself many times. These letters recognize this distinction, and exhort the escaped captives to profit by the mistakes of their leaders and not fall into the condemnation of God.

2 Chronicles 30:8. Stiff-necked is a figurative word for being stubborn. The opposite of it is to be willing to yield yourselves unto the Lord. For ever means "through the age," and it denotes that the sanctuary or temple was to be regarded as holy through that age or dispensation. The wrath of God will be turned away from all his faithful ones.

2 Chronicles 30:9. The fate of their brethren still in captivity was somewhat dependent on the conduct of these escaped ones. If they will turn to the Lord, he will see that their fellow citizens still in the land of captivity shall be given compassion, so that they too may return to their own country.

Verses 10-12

2Ch 30:10-12

2 Chronicles 30:10-12

SOME SPURN THE KING’S INVITATION; BUT MANY ACCEPTED

"So 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. Nevertheless certain men of Ashur and Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Also upon Judah came the hand of God to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the princes by the word of Jehovah."

The remnant of the northern tribes that had been left in the land by the kings of Assyria had, in the principal part, degenerated into paganism and were naturally resentful that Judah had been spared, because they were fully aware that Judah’s sins against God were just as extensive as their own. They did not realize that God had humbled and destroyed their kingdom as an example of what would also eventually happen to Judah. It was not merely northern Israel that needed to return to God, but all Israel. Hezekiah did his best to bring the people back to God; and, for awhile, he succeeded; but as soon as his son Manasseh came to the throne, his reformation was quickly repudiated.

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 30:10-11. Before the kingdom of the 10 tribes was taken into captivity, there were certain individuals who were true to God, and came to the place of lawful worship. (2 Chronicles 11:16; 2 Chronicles 15:9.) Now that some have been so fortunate as to escape their captors and get back home, they were yet unappreciative of their freedom and refused to respect the call of the posts or runners. Others, however, humbled themselves, which was indicated by their obedience to the orders. It can truthfully be said that pride is the cause of all rebellion, and humility is what prompts obedience.

2 Chronicles 30:12. God does not force men by direct miraculous power to be righteous; he offers inducements to persuade him in the right direction. If man yields to the inducements and does the right thing, then it may correctly be said that the action was by the hand of God, as it is asserted here. The people of Judah were united in heart to do the thing that God required. This verse tells us that the king and his princes were issuing their orders by the word of the Lord. That made it divine law for the situation at hand, and placed a solemn duty before the people.

Verses 13-22

2Ch 30:13-22

2 Chronicles 30:13-22

ISRAEL AGAIN KEPT THE PASSOVER

"And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great assembly. And 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. Then 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 burnt-offerings into the house of Jehovah. And they stood in their place after their order, according to the Law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of the Levites. For there were many in the assembly that had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites had the charge of killing the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto Jehovah. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Isaachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, The good Jehovah pardon every one that setteth his heart to seek God, Jehovah, the God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And Jehovah hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. And the children of Israel that were at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised Jehovah day by day, singing with loud instruments unto Jehovah. And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that had good understanding in the service of Jehovah. So they did eat throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace-offerings, and making confession to Jehovah, the God of their fathers."

"They killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month" (2 Chronicles 30:15). Even in this Hezekiah followed closely the instructions of Moses in the Pentateuch (Numbers 9:11).

"The good Jehovah pardon" (2 Chronicles 30:19). The RSV very properly has the good Lord here which is a far better translation. "This expression is found only here in the O.T., but it has now become proverbial."

This celebration of the passover two long generations prior to Josiah is an acute embarrassment to the radical critics and their fairy tale regarding that P Document discovered in the temple during Joisah’s reign; and their knee-jerk response to everything in God’s Word that contradicts their false allegations was clearly stated by Jacob M. Meyers who wrote that, "They hold that the Chronicler transferred to Hezekiah ... the religious celebrations of Josiah, notably this one." Such a false allegation as that one, however, is only a rather timid and somewhat clever way of calling the Chronicler’s report here a lie. We believe the lie is that of the radical critics, not that of the Chronicler.

We are very thankful that present-day scholars are turning away from the gross errors advocated by the International Critical Commentary. Jacob M. Meyers in The Anchor Bible makes the truthful observation that:

"THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE CHRONICLER INVENTED THE STORY."

It is distressing to this writer that commentators who claim to be Christians will pose a snide question regarding this passover, asking, "Is this alleged event fact or fiction"? and leave the question unanswered. More and more great scholars of the present day are beginning to see the truth regarding the accuracy of what we find in the Bible (all of it).

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 30:13. Unleavened bread refers to the same occasion as the passover in verse 2. See the comments on this subject at 2 Chronicles 8:13.

2 Chronicles 30:14. The altars were those that had been put there for idolatrous worship, whether for the burning of animals or incense. Kidron was a brook or depression near the city, and used as a dumping ground for these corruptions.

2 Chronicles 30:15. The second month was substituted in the place of the first month, which was the original date. But we should bear in mind that the Lord was the one who made the substitution. (Numbers 9:10-11.) Man has no right to make any change in the divine ordinances, but when God makes a change, it is not only right but necessary to observe the change. Were ashamed refers to the humility of mind with which the priests made themselves fit to partake of the passover. Here it was, a whole month after they should have done it, but were unfit for the service on account of their uncleanness. Now that God had graciously allowed them "another chance" to perform the required service, it was fitting that they do so with deep humility.

2 Chronicles 30:16. This verse reports the regular procedure that was according to the law of Moses. Leviticus 1 shows that it was the duty of the priests to handle the blood of the animals, after the givers had done the killing. Thus far, then, the performances going on were as originally ordained by the law.

2 Chronicles 30:17. This verse reports a change in the original ordinance. The chapter in Leviticus referred to above shows that the man bringing the beast for sacrifice was the one to do the slaying, then turn it over to the priest. But an unclean person was not allowed to do this killing. There were some of the private individuals who were not clean, and others in their class or rank did the killing for them.

2 Chronicles 30:18. Strictly speaking, if a Jew did not find himself fit to kill the animal, neither should he have considered himself fit to eat of it. But human imperfection manifested itself in this instance, and many who were not qualified to slay their beast went ahead anyway and ate of it. The inspired writer says that in so doing they ate of it otherwise than it was written. God is merciful to his creatures and suffers many things that are short of duty. The whole situation as Hezekiah faced it was so out of order that much allowance was made. These people who ate of the passover while unclean did wrong, and the fact is not overlooked; but the king was a righteous man and prayed for them, thus acting in the role of a mediator.

2 Chronicles 30:19. The prayer of Hezekiah was on condition that the people bring their hearts into the proper attitude toward God, even though their bodies at that particular time were not ceremonially cleansed.

2 Chronicles 30:20. The prayer of Hezekiah was heard as an intercessor or mediator for the people, and they were healed, which means the Lord removed all of the disqualifications from them without requiring them to go through any further ceremonies.

2 Chronicles 30:21. Some of the musical instruments were larger than others, and would make a stronger sound. They were the ones used on this occasion. The Levites as a tribe, and that part of the tribe qualified to act as priests (the descendants of Aaron), were so glad because of the goodness of God, that they combined their more important instruments with their praise. Day by day means they performed this each day of the feast.

2 Chronicles 30:22. The entire period of the feast was one of joy and gladness and praise to God. Spake comfortably means he had a "heart to heart" talk with them. He spoke to the Levites --not to the whole tribe in this case, but to the ones that taught, and Leviticus 10:11, Deuteronomy 17:9, and Malachi 2:7 shows that it was the priests who were to do the teaching. The peace offerings that were offered in connection with their confessions are described in Leviticus 3.

Verses 23-27

2Ch 30:23-27

2 Chronicles 30:23-27

THEY DECIDE TO CELEBRATE ANOTHER SEVEN DAYS

"And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days; and they kept other seven days with gladness. For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the assembly for offerings a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the assembly a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. And all the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. So 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. Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy habitation, even unto heaven."

This additional week of feasting and celebration was made possible by the generous contributions of the king and the princes.

"Their voice was heard ... even unto heaven" (2 Chronicles 30:27). Hezekiah’s respect for the temple had not blinded him to the sublime fact that "God dwelleth not in temples made with hands," and that his throne is in the heaven of heavens.

One may wonder why this observance of the passover was not reported in Kings, but the reason is not far to seek. Kings carries an abbreviated report of both the Northern and Southern Israels, whereas the Chronicles focuses attention upon the Southern Kingdom only; and this passover celebration pertained particularly to Judah and Jerusalem. Furthermore, all of the information that has come down to us from that remote period is fragmentary. No important arguments can be logically founded upon what this or that source does not contain.

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 30:23. Took counsel signifies that a consultation was held. Such transactions are generally called for when some subject of importance has become present. After this consultation the group repeated the performance of the 7 days just past; that is, they had another feast of 7 days in direct connection with the first 7 days. It was not like the changing of the date as in the instance of the passover date. It was more in the nature of a continuation of the feast already in progress. It could not strictly have been said to be a repetition of the ordinance as a separate observation of it, and considered as done the second time, for the feast had not been closed entirely yet. The occasion for the extension will be shown in the following verses.

2 Chronicles 30:24. There were certain specific requirements in the law concerning the set feasts. Exodus 12:15-17 and Leviticus 23:6-8 gives the law of the 7 days of unleavened bread. This was not to be changed nor substituted by anything else. But the children of Israel were given wide privileges in the performance of their animal sacrifices and religious feasts. There was no restriction as to the frequency or number of such exercises. In the present instance the king and his leading men had given large numbers of animals to the people, which they might offer to God in sacrifices. A fact that doubtless accounts for this gift was that the movement seemed to have gained headway and caused several of the priests to Join the work of purification. The early part of the chapter showed a condition of neglect in the matter of cleansing. Many men who should have been engaged in the religious exercises were prevented on account of uncleanness, and they had not been sufficiently interested to change their condition. But the zeal of others evidently stirred them to action, and a great many more of the priests qualified themselves by putting away their uncleanness. That called for more animals and more time for their sacrificing, hence the statements of this verse.

2 Chronicles 30:25. The kingdom of Judah was composed mostly of that tribe, but the priesthood was in the tribe of Levi, and that part of the tribe that descended from Aaron. Strangers is from a word that means persons from the outside. Certain Israelites scattered through the territory of the 10 tribes had come to Jerusalem to the feast. Since they were from the "outside" of Judah, they were called "strangers." All of these are said to have taken part, not only in the sacrifices and feast, but in the rejoicing. 2 Chronicles 30:26. The set feasts of the law had doubtless been observed, but the extent of the exercises was exceptional, and that was what caused the great rejoicing.

2 Chronicles 30:27. The priests and the Levites blessed the people. Primarily that word means to kneel, but here it says they arose to bless the people. The meaning is that they pronounced a benediction on them as they were dismissed.