King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:18 Mean?

“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”

Context

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

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.

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

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.

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

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Topics in This Verse

Prayer

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(18) **A multitude.**—*Marbîth* (2chron 96; 1Chronicles 12:29). Only in the Chronicles in this sense. Else where the term means “increase” of children (1Samuel 2:33), or of money, *i.e.,* interest (τόκον*,* Leviticus 25:37). **Ephraim . . . Zebulun.**—The names indicate a documental source. **Had not cleansed themselves.**—As was natural in the case of persons who had long been estranged from the legal religion of Jehovah (*hittèhārû,* pausal form of *hittāha˘rû,* Ezra 6:20, occurs here only). **Yet did they eat . . . written.**—*But ate the* *Passover in non-accordance with the Scripture*—*i.e.,* in illegal fashion, being themselves unclean. (Comp. Numbers 9:6, *seq.,* according to which unclean persons ‘were bound to abstain from eating the Passover until the fourteenth of the second month.) **But Hezekiah prayed.**—*For Hezekiah had prayed for them,* and therefore their irregularity was condoned, **The good Lord.**—*Jehovah the good;* so only here. (Comp. Psalm 25:8.) **Good**—*i.e.,* kind, generous; *benignus, benevolus.* **Pardon every one.**—Properly, *make atonement* *on behalf of every one* (*kipper bĕ ‘ad*)*:* Leviticus 16:6; Leviticus 16:11. In the sense of *forgive* the construction is different: Psalm 65:4; Ezekiel 16:63.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.