King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:22 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:22 in the King James Version says “And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat through...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. comfortably: Heb. to the heart of all”

2 Chronicles 30:22 · KJV

Peace

Context

20

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

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. present: Heb. found loud: Heb. instruments of strength

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. comfortably: Heb. to the heart of all

23

And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.

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. did give: Heb. lifted up, or, offered gave: Heb. lifted up, or, offered

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 22 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר1 of 22

“spake”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְחִזְקִיָּ֗הוּ2 of 22

“And Hezekiah”

H3169

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

עַל3 of 22
H5921

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

לֵב֙4 of 22

“comfortably”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

כָּל5 of 22
H3605

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

הַלְוִיִּ֔ם6 of 22

“unto all the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

הַמַּשְׂכִּילִ֥ים7 of 22

“knowledge”

H7922

intelligence; by implication, success

שֵֽׂכֶל8 of 22

“that taught”

H7919

to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent

ט֖וֹב9 of 22

“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

לַֽיהוָ֖ה10 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיֹּֽאכְל֤וּ11 of 22

“and they did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת12 of 22
H853

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

הַמּוֹעֵד֙13 of 22

“throughout the feast”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

שִׁבְעַ֣ת14 of 22

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

הַיָּמִ֔ים15 of 22

“days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מְזַבְּחִים֙16 of 22

“offering”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

זִבְחֵ֣י17 of 22

“offerings”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

שְׁלָמִ֔ים18 of 22

“peace”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

וּמִ֨תְוַדִּ֔ים19 of 22

“and making confession”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

לַֽיהוָ֖ה20 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֥י21 of 22

“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

אֲבֽוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃22 of 22

“of their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 30:22 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 30:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 32:6Nehemiah 9:3Ezra 10:11Isaiah 40:1-22 Corinthians 4:6Deuteronomy 33:10

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