2 Chronicles 30:2 kjv
For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
2 Chronicles 30:2 nkjv
For the king and his leaders and all the assembly in Jerusalem had agreed to keep the Passover in the second month.
2 Chronicles 30:2 niv
The king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month.
2 Chronicles 30:2 esv
For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second month ?
2 Chronicles 30:2 nlt
The king, his officials, and all the community of Jerusalem decided to celebrate Passover a month later than usual.
2 Chronicles 30 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 12:1-14 | "The LORD said to Moses and Aaron... this month is to be... the first month... sacrifice the Passover lamb..." | Original Passover instruction & first month. |
| Lev 23:5 | "The LORD's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month." | Standard timing for Passover. |
| Num 9:1-5 | "The LORD spoke to Moses... on the fourteenth day of this month... you must celebrate it." | Passover in the wilderness. |
| Num 9:10-11 | "...if any of you or your descendants are ceremonially unclean... or are on a journey... they must celebrate the LORD’s Passover in the second month..." | Exception for celebrating Passover late. |
| 2 Chron 29:1-2 | "Hezekiah became king... He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD..." | Hezekiah's righteous reign. |
| 2 Chron 29:3-5 | "In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the temple..." | Hezekiah's temple cleansing began. |
| 2 Chron 29:16-19 | "The priests went into the inner part of the LORD’s temple to cleanse it... carried out to the Kidron Valley." | Deep cleansing of the temple. |
| 2 Chron 29:34 | "The priests, however, were too few... so their relatives the Levites helped..." | Lack of consecrated priests highlighted. |
| 2 Chron 30:3 | "They could not celebrate it at that time because too few priests had consecrated themselves..." | Reason for delayed Passover. |
| 2 Chron 30:4 | "The plan seemed right both to the king and to the whole assembly." | Agreement on the decision. |
| 2 Chron 30:13 | "A very large crowd of people assembled in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread..." | Large assembly for the Passover. |
| 2 Kings 18:3-4 | "Hezekiah did what was right... He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones..." | Parallel account of Hezekiah's reforms. |
| Deut 29:10-13 | "All of you are standing today in the presence of the LORD your God—your leaders... to enter into a covenant with the LORD..." | Example of national assembly & covenant. |
| Josh 24:1-27 | "Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel... and made a covenant with them..." | Corporate national decision to serve God. |
| Ezr 6:19-22 | "The exiles celebrated the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month... with joy." | Post-exilic Passover celebration. |
| Neh 8:1-8 | "All the people assembled as one person... and Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly..." | Assembly listening to God's law. |
| Psa 119:10-11 | "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." | Importance of keeping God's word. |
| Isa 1:19-20 | "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured..." | Consequence of obedience and rebellion. |
| 1 Cor 5:7-8 | "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival..." | Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb. |
| Jn 1:29 | "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" | Jesus identified as the sacrificial Lamb. |
| Col 2:16-17 | "Therefore do not let anyone judge you... regarding a religious festival... which are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." | Feasts as shadows fulfilled in Christ. |
2 Chronicles 30 verses
2 Chronicles 30 2 Meaning
This verse states that King Hezekiah, his leading officials, and the entire assembled congregation in Jerusalem collectively decided to celebrate the Passover feast. This was a significant decision because, due to various circumstances including a lack of consecrated priests and sufficient preparation time, they determined to hold it in the second month, rather than the first month as ordinarily prescribed by the Law. This decision reflected a commitment to religious reform and a desire to return to observing God's commanded feasts after a long period of national apostasy.
2 Chronicles 30 2 Context
This verse is situated early in Chapter 30, which chronicles King Hezekiah's comprehensive efforts to restore proper worship in Judah. Prior to this, Chapter 29 details Hezekiah's initial actions upon ascending the throne, immediately commanding the cleansing and consecration of the temple, which had fallen into disuse and idolatry during his father Ahaz's reign. This massive cleansing project, involving priests and Levites, concluded at the end of the first month, making it impossible to celebrate Passover as scheduled. Given the nation's spiritual neglect, celebrating Passover was deemed critical. This verse highlights the collaborative decision-making process involving the king, his officials, and the broader assembly, demonstrating a united front for spiritual renewal after generations of deviation. The delay of the Passover to the second month, though irregular, was a practical concession made within the bounds of scriptural allowance (Numbers 9:10-11) to facilitate nationwide participation in a foundational act of worship.
2 Chronicles 30 2 Word analysis
- For the king: Refers to Hezekiah, who initiated this spiritual revival. His personal piety and decisive leadership were foundational. Unlike many kings who only led militarily or politically, Hezekiah also prioritized and led national spiritual reformation.
- and his officials: Denotes the high-ranking administrators and advisors to the king. Their involvement signifies broad governmental endorsement and support for the religious reforms, indicating a unified leadership front and corporate commitment to God's laws, rather than it being solely a royal edict.
- and the whole assembly in Jerusalem: This refers to the qahal, the formal convocation or congregation of the people. It represents the collective will and participation of the broader community or its representatives gathered in the capital. The emphasis on "whole assembly" highlights the popular support and national consensus for this spiritual undertaking. Their presence "in Jerusalem" points to the central, God-ordained place of worship and national gathering.
- had decided: The Hebrew verb (נוֹעָץ, no'atz from ya'ats) indicates a process of counsel, consultation, and deliberate decision-making. It suggests a thoughtful and unanimous agreement rather than a hasty or dictatorial command. This collective consultation validates the action and lends authority to the initiative, implying God's guidance through united wisdom.
- to celebrate the Passover: la'asot Pesach. This specifies the action—to perform, observe, or make the Passover. Passover (Pesach) was the most significant annual feast, commemorating Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage, signifying God's redemptive power, and foreshadowing ultimate redemption. Its reinstatement underscores the depth of the spiritual renewal sought by Hezekiah and the people, returning to a foundational act of remembrance and covenant relationship.
- in the second month: This is a crucial detail. The Mosaic Law (Ex 12, Lev 23:5) prescribed the Passover for the first month (Nisan). However, Numbers 9:10-11 provides for a "second Passover" in the second month (Iyyar) for those who were ritually unclean or on a distant journey. The necessity for this delay (explained further in 2 Chron 30:3) reveals the severity of Judah's prior spiritual neglect (too few consecrated priests, lack of time for all to purify). It highlights Hezekiah's pragmatic approach—prioritizing faithful observance, even if delayed, over a rigid adherence to the original timing that would prevent any celebration at all, demonstrating divine flexibility for genuine spiritual need.
Words-group analysis
- The king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem: This phrase underscores the collaborative and comprehensive nature of this spiritual revival. It was not merely a top-down decree but involved various levels of leadership and the representative body of the nation, fostering a sense of collective ownership and responsibility for spiritual obedience. This unity signals a widespread commitment to God's will.
- had decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month: This phrase captures both the proactive and adaptive spirit of the decision. "Had decided" points to careful deliberation and collective resolve. The commitment "to celebrate the Passover" demonstrates a profound desire to re-engage with God's covenant promises and commands. The pragmatic decision to hold it "in the second month" illustrates a leadership willing to adjust logistics, within scriptural boundaries, to achieve the larger spiritual goal of national observance and repentance. It emphasizes obedience over rigid scheduling when circumstances dictate.
2 Chronicles 30 2 Bonus section
The collective decision in 2 Chron 30:2 contrasts sharply with the idolatrous reign of Hezekiah's father, Ahaz, where religious compromise and abandonment of God's commands were widespread. This verse marks a distinct shift towards national repentance and restoration. The phrase "whole assembly in Jerusalem" indicates that this was not a fragmented effort but a unified national initiative. The Passover had likely not been celebrated with such widespread participation in many years, perhaps not since the time of Solomon or Josiah. The courage and spiritual vision to embark on such an undertaking, especially considering the nation's spiritual apathy, were remarkable. This act of "postponed obedience" permitted by Mosaic law ensured that no one who truly desired to partake was excluded, showcasing divine mercy that facilitates sincere worship.
2 Chronicles 30 2 Commentary
2 Chronicles 30:2 reveals a pivotal moment in Hezekiah's revival. It underscores that returning to God's ways is not merely a priestly or kingly act but requires corporate resolve. The decision to celebrate the Passover, a deeply symbolic feast of redemption, signaled Judah's desire to recommit to their covenant relationship with God. The unique aspect of celebrating it in the second month highlights both the spiritual declension that made timely observance impossible (lack of consecrated personnel, widespread impurity) and the gracious provision in God's Law for a "second chance" (Num 9:10-11). This demonstrates wisdom in applying the law; flexibility was shown for the greater goal of nationwide participation in genuine worship and repentance, rather than rigid adherence leading to no observance. This corporate decision to seek God was a crucial step towards national healing and reflects how intentional leadership and unified assembly can initiate profound spiritual change.