King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 35:18 Mean?

2 Chronicles 35:18 in the King James Version says “And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of ... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. present: Heb. found

2 Chronicles 35:18 · KJV


Context

16

So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah.

17

And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days. present: Heb. found

18

And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. present: Heb. found

19

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

20

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. temple: Heb. house


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Greatest worship celebration since Samuel's time. 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 · 25 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 25
H3808

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

עָשָׂ֣ה2 of 25

keep

H6213

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

כַּפֶּ֣סַח3 of 25

And there was no passover

H6453

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

כָּמֹ֙הוּ֙4 of 25

like

H3644

as, thus, so

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל5 of 25

and Israel

H3478

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

מִימֵ֖י6 of 25

from the 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

שְׁמוּאֵ֣ל7 of 25

of Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

הַנָּבִ֑יא8 of 25

the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וְכָל9 of 25
H3605

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

מַלְכֵ֣י10 of 25

all the kings

H4428

a king

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל11 of 25

and Israel

H3478

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

לֹֽא12 of 25
H3808

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

עָשָׂ֣ה13 of 25

keep

H6213

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

כַּפֶּ֣סַח14 of 25

And there was no passover

H6453

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

אֲשֶׁר15 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֣ה16 of 25

keep

H6213

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

יֹֽ֠אשִׁיָּהוּ17 of 25

as Josiah

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִ֨ים18 of 25

and the priests

H3548

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

וְהַלְוִיִּ֤ם19 of 25

and the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וְכָל20 of 25
H3605

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

יְהוּדָה֙21 of 25

and all Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל22 of 25

and Israel

H3478

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

הַנִּמְצָ֔א23 of 25

that were present

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

וְיֽוֹשְׁבֵ֖י24 of 25

and the inhabitants

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃25 of 25

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine


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 35:18 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 35:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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