King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:18 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:18 in the King James Version says “For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, y...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 30:18 · KJV

Prayer

Context

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.

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

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.

20

And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

Read 2 Chronicles 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hezekiah's intercession for Passover participants: '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.' Many celebrated Passover ceremonially unclean, violating Levitical law. Rather than excluding them, Hezekiah interceded. His prayer appeals to God's goodness (hatov YHWH), trusting mercy trumps technical violation. God heard this prayer (30:20), demonstrating that sincere heart-seeking God overcomes ritual imperfection. This anticipates Christ who cleanses inwardly, making external purification secondary, and who intercedes for His people's failures.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hezekiah's Passover (c. 715 BCE) invited Northern Kingdom remnant, many unfamiliar with proper procedures after generations of idolatry. Hezekiah's grace-filled response prioritized sincere worship over technical perfection, modeling pastoral wisdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance upholding biblical standards with extending grace to sincere seekers who don't meet all requirements?
  2. For whom do you need to intercede, trusting God's goodness to pardon despite their imperfect approach to Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
כִּ֣י1 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מַרְבִּ֣ית2 of 25

“For a multitude”

H4768

a multitude; also offspring; specifically interest (on capital)

הָעָ֡ם3 of 25

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רַ֠בַּת4 of 25

“even many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

מֵֽאֶפְרַ֨יִם5 of 25

“of Ephraim”

H669

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

וּמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה6 of 25

“and Manasseh”

H4519

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

יִשָּׂשכָ֤ר7 of 25

“Issachar”

H3485

jissaskar, a son of jacob

וּזְבֻלוּן֙8 of 25

“and Zebulun”

H2074

zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe

בְּלֹ֣א9 of 25

“had not”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִטֶּהָ֔רוּ10 of 25

“cleansed”

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

כִּֽי11 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אָכְל֥וּ12 of 25

“themselves yet did they eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת13 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַפֶּ֖סַח14 of 25

“the passover”

H6453

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

בְּלֹ֣א15 of 25

“had not”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כַכָּת֑וּב16 of 25

“otherwise than it was written”

H3789

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

כִּי֩17 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל18 of 25

“prayed”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

יְחִזְקִיָּ֤הוּ19 of 25

“But Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

עֲלֵיהֶם֙20 of 25
H5921

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

לֵאמֹ֔ר21 of 25

“for them saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֥ה22 of 25

“LORD”

H3068

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

הַטּ֖וֹב23 of 25

“The good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

יְכַפֵּ֥ר24 of 25

“pardon”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

בְּעַֽד׃25 of 25
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

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 30:18 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 30:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 11:28James 5:15-16Numbers 9:10-142 Chronicles 6:21Daniel 9:192 Chronicles 30:11

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