King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 35:7 Mean?

2 Chronicles 35:7 in the King James Version says “And Josiah gave to the people , of the flock, lambs and kids , all for the passover offerings, for all that were present...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Josiah gave to the people , of the flock, lambs and kids , all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance. gave: Heb. offered”

2 Chronicles 35:7 · KJV

Context

5

And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people , and after the division of the families of the Levites. the families of the fathers: Heb. the house of the fathers the people: Heb. the sons of the people

6

So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

7

And Josiah gave to the people , of the flock, lambs and kids , all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance. gave: Heb. offered

8

And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen. gave willingly: Heb. offered, etc

9

Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen. gave: Heb. offered

Read 2 Chronicles 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance.

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 · 21 words
וַיָּ֣רֶם1 of 21

“gave”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֣הוּ2 of 21

“And Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

וּבְנֵֽי3 of 21

“and kids”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָעָ֟ם4 of 21
H5971

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

צֹ֞אן5 of 21

“of the flock”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

כְּבָשִׂ֣ים6 of 21

“lambs”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

וּבְנֵֽי7 of 21

“and kids”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עִזִּים֮8 of 21
H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

הַכֹּ֣ל9 of 21
H3605

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

לַפְּסָחִים֒10 of 21

“all for the passover offerings”

H6453

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

לְכָל11 of 21
H3605

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

הַנִּמְצָ֗א12 of 21

“for all 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

לְמִסְפַּר֙13 of 21

“to the number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים14 of 21

“of thirty”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

אֲלָפִ֑ים15 of 21

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּבָקָ֖ר16 of 21

“bullocks”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת17 of 21

“and three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

אֲלָפִ֑ים18 of 21

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אֵ֖לֶּה19 of 21
H428

these or those

מֵֽרְכ֥וּשׁ20 of 21

“substance”

H7399

property (as gathered)

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃21 of 21

“these were of the king's”

H4428

a king

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 35:7 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 35:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 8:632 Chronicles 30:24Ezekiel 45:17Isaiah 32:82 Chronicles 31:31 Chronicles 29:3

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