King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:15 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:15 in the King James Version says “Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, a... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Chronicles 30:15 · KJV


Context

13

And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.

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.

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.

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. their place: Heb. their standing

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 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 · 14 words
וַיִּשְׁחֲט֣וּ1 of 14

Then they killed

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

הַפֶּ֔סַח2 of 14

the passover

H6453

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

בְּאַרְבָּעָ֥ה3 of 14

on the fourteenth

H702

four

עָשָׂ֖ר4 of 14
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ5 of 14

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשֵּׁנִ֑י6 of 14

day of the second

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִ֨ים7 of 14

and the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְהַלְוִיִּ֤ם8 of 14

and the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

נִכְלְמוּ֙9 of 14

were ashamed

H3637

properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult

וַיִּֽתְקַדְּשׁ֔וּ10 of 14

and sanctified

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

וַיָּבִ֥יאוּ11 of 14

themselves and brought in

H935

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

עֹל֖וֹת12 of 14

the burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

בֵּ֥ית13 of 14

into the house

H1004

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

יְהוָֽה׃14 of 14

of the LORD

H3068

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


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 30:15 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 30:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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