King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 30:5 Mean?

2 Chronicles 30:5 in the King James Version says “So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should co...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.”

2 Chronicles 30:5 · KJV

Context

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.

4

And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation. pleased: Heb. was right in the eyes of the king

5

So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

6

So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. from: Heb. from the hand

7

And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.

Read 2 Chronicles 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

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
וַיַּֽעֲמִ֣ידוּ1 of 22

“So they established”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

דָבָ֗ר2 of 22

“a decree”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לְהַֽעֲבִ֨יר3 of 22

“to make proclamation”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

ק֤וֹל4 of 22
H6963

a voice or sound

בְּכָל5 of 22
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל6 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

מִבְּאֵֽר7 of 22
H0
שֶׁ֣בַע8 of 22

“from Beersheba”

H884

beer-sheba, a place in palestine

וְעַד9 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

דָּ֔ן10 of 22

“even to Dan”

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

לָב֞וֹא11 of 22

“that they should come”

H935

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

עָשׂ֖וּ12 of 22

“for they had not done”

H6213

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

פֶּ֛סַח13 of 22

“the passover”

H6453

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

לַֽיהוָ֥ה14 of 22

“unto the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵֽי15 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל16 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם17 of 22

“at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

כִּ֣י18 of 22
H3588

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

לֹ֥א19 of 22
H3808

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

לָרֹ֛ב20 of 22

“it of a long”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

עָשׂ֖וּ21 of 22

“for they had not done”

H6213

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

כַּכָּתֽוּב׃22 of 22

“time in such sort as it was written”

H3789

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

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 30:5 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 30:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 20:1Leviticus 23:4Daniel 6:8Esther 9:20-21Ezra 6:8-12Esther 3:12-15

Places in This Verse

Beersheba 1Settlement · Modern: Tel Beer Sheva · 31.24°N, 34.84°E23 verses across 10 books
DanSettlement · Modern: Tel Dan · 33.25°N, 35.65°E25 verses across 12 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 30 →

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