King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:1 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:1 in the King James Version says “And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the ...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

2 Chronicles 30:1 · KJV

Context

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.

2

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

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.

Read 2 Chronicles 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Joy of renewed worship despite irregularities. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח1 of 21

“sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ2 of 21

“And Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

עַל3 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל4 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃5 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וִֽיהוּדָ֗ה6 of 21

“and Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְגַֽם7 of 21
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אִגְּרוֹת֙8 of 21

“letters”

H107

an epistle

כָּתַב֙9 of 21

“and wrote”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

עַל10 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֶפְרַ֣יִם11 of 21

“also to Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה12 of 21

“and Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

לָב֥וֹא13 of 21

“that they should come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְבֵית14 of 21

“to the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לַֽיהוָ֖ה15 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם16 of 21

“at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת17 of 21

“to keep”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

פֶּ֔סַח18 of 21

“the passover”

H6453

a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)

לַֽיהוָ֖ה19 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֥י20 of 21

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃21 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 30:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 30:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 5:7-82 Chronicles 11:13Hosea 11:8Hosea 5:42 Chronicles 35:62 Chronicles 30:10-11

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 30 →

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