2 Chronicles 35 1

2 Chronicles 35:1 kjv

Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

2 Chronicles 35:1 nkjv

Now Josiah kept a Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the first month.

2 Chronicles 35:1 niv

Josiah celebrated the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.

2 Chronicles 35:1 esv

Josiah kept a Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem. And they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month.

2 Chronicles 35:1 nlt

Then Josiah announced that the Passover of the LORD would be celebrated in Jerusalem, and so the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.

2 Chronicles 35 verses

2 Chronicles 35 1 Meaning

2 Chronicles 35:1 declares that King Josiah faithfully celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem, performing it precisely on the fourteenth day of the first month, according to the Law. This verse highlights Josiah’s commitment to restoring pure worship and obedience to God’s commands, making this a pivotal and exemplary Passover celebration in Israel’s history. It emphasizes the importance of rightful worship in the right place and at the prescribed time.

2 Chronicles 35 1 Context

2 Chronicles 35:1 introduces the climactic event of Josiah's religious reforms. Chapters 34 and the beginning of 35 chronicle King Josiah's righteous reign, commencing at a young age. He initiated a sweeping religious purification across Judah and Israel, dismantling idolatry, destroying high places and altars to Baal, and even desecrating the bones of false priests as foretold by the man of God against Jeroboam's altar at Bethel (2 Chr 34:1-7; 1 Kgs 13:1-2). His reform movement was greatly accelerated and deepened by the discovery of the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) during the temple repair work (2 Chr 34:14-19). This discovery led to Josiah’s profound repentance, the public reading of the Law to the entire nation, and a solemn covenant renewal between God and His people (2 Chr 34:20-33). The Passover celebration described in 2 Chronicles 35:1-19 is the direct outcome and pinnacle of these reforms, demonstrating the nation’s restored commitment to God’s covenant as detailed in the newly found Law. It served as a definitive act of obedience to God's commandments, specifically the Passover festival commanded for annual observance.

2 Chronicles 35 1 Word analysis

• Moreover (וַיַּעַשׂ֙ - vayya'as): This connective word serves as a continuation, linking Josiah's actions directly to the preceding narrative of his reforms. It implies that this grand Passover was the natural outcome and consummation of his diligent efforts to restore true worship in Judah. The verbal root is ʿaśāh (עָשָׂה), meaning "to do, to make, to prepare, to keep." It implies active obedience and preparation.

• Josiah (יֹאשִׁיָּ֣הוּ - Yoshiyahu): King of Judah (640-609 BC). His name means "YHWH supports" or "YHWH heals." He is consistently depicted as a righteous king, unlike his predecessors Manasseh and Amon. He ruled with faithfulness, showing complete devotion to the Lord, walking in the ways of David, turning neither to the right nor the left (2 Kgs 22:2). This Passover is presented as a testament to his singular devotion and reformative spirit, distinguishing him among all kings who came before or after him in terms of Passover celebration (2 Chr 35:18).

• kept (פֶּ֔סַח - pesach): Though the English "kept" comes from ʿāśāh, the word following Josiah's name is actually Pesach (Passover). This is the pivotal festival. Pesach refers to the ritual commemoration of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Exod 12). It literally means "passing over," referring to the angel of death "passing over" the Israelite homes whose doorposts were marked with the blood of a lamb. This national remembrance solidified their identity as God's chosen people, liberated by His mighty hand. The Chronicler highlights this Passover because of its scale, purity, and adherence to the Law, contrasting it with past failures or irregular observances.

• to the LORD (לַֽיהוָה֙ - laYHWH): Emphasizes that the Passover was specifically for Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It was not merely a cultural tradition but an act of worship directed exclusively to Him. This underlines the monotheistic focus of Josiah’s reforms against syncretism and idolatry. The emphasis is on proper worship of the one true God, distinct from the abominable practices Josiah eradicated.

• in Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֔ם - biYrushalaim): According to Deuteronomic law (Deut 16:1-8), the Passover was to be celebrated in "the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make His name dwell there," which eventually became Jerusalem. This detail signifies Josiah's adherence to the centralizing reforms prescribed in the Law, making Jerusalem the exclusive legitimate center of worship and sacrifice, a direct refutation of high places and other illicit altars previously tolerated.

• on the fourteenth day of the first month (בְּאַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂר֙ י֣וֹם לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן - be'arba'ah asar yom laChodesh haRishon): This precise dating—the exact timing stipulated in Mosaic Law (Lev 23:5; Num 9:1-5; Exod 12:6)—underscores Josiah's meticulous obedience. It contrasts with instances of delayed or incomplete observance (e.g., Hezekiah’s Passover in 2 Chr 30:2-3, which was delayed to the second month due to impurity). This emphasis on "right time" along with "right place" and "right way" showcases the profound nature of Josiah's reformation.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Josiah kept the Passover to the LORD": This phrase captures the essence of his reign's climax. It signifies a national commitment, led by the king, to reinstate covenant fidelity through ritual observance, moving from idolatry to divine worship. It echoes the core mandate of Deuteronomy.
  • "in Jerusalem on the fourteenth day of the first month": This specific geographical and chronological detail underscores the perfect conformity to the Law. It stresses purity of worship both in place and timing, central to Deuteronomic theology that mandated a single, central sanctuary for all sacrifices.

2 Chronicles 35 1 Bonus section

The Chronicler dedicates more verses to Josiah’s Passover than to any other king’s in Israelite history, including Hezekiah’s. This disproportionate focus signifies its exceptional nature and perhaps serves as a polemic against superficial religious observance, highlighting what a truly scripturally-informed and centralized worship service should look like. Josiah’s strict adherence to all the nuances of the Law implies a direct refutation of past syncretism and disobedience, portraying this Passover as the definitive benchmark for all future attempts at national repentance and spiritual renewal. It presents an ideal paradigm of faithfulness even amidst the eventual doom of Judah. The detailed descriptions also implicitly affirm the validity and authority of the written Torah that was "found" during Josiah’s reign, which directly led to this precise observance. This event therefore encapsulates the power of rediscovering and truly responding to God’s Word.

2 Chronicles 35 1 Commentary

2 Chronicles 35:1 introduces a Passover unparalleled since the time of the prophet Samuel and the Judges (2 Chr 35:18), emphasizing its conformity to Mosaic Law and its grand scale. This verse marks the high point of Josiah's extensive and sincere religious reforms. Having already purged the land of idolatry and renewed the covenant with Yahweh based on the discovered Book of the Law (2 Chr 34), Josiah orchestrates this Passover as a national reaffirmation of their commitment to God.

The meticulous details regarding "Jerusalem" and "the fourteenth day of the first month" are not mere descriptive elements; they are profound theological statements. "Jerusalem" highlights the centralization of worship as prescribed by the Deuteronomic law, emphasizing unity and legitimacy, eliminating the multiplicity of altars that plagued previous reigns. The precise date underscores Josiah's complete obedience to the Mosaic requirements, rectifying past deviations and compromises (even those of pious kings like Hezekiah who held his Passover in the second month).

This celebration under Josiah’s leadership demonstrated genuine repentance and desire for corporate holiness. Unlike other celebrations which might have been rote, this one was infused with renewed understanding and devotion following the discovery of the Law. It speaks to the importance of God’s Word shaping and informing worship. For the Chronicler's post-exilic audience, facing challenges of identity and faith, Josiah's example served as a powerful model of zealous adherence to God's commandments, emphasizing that national well-being was directly tied to faithfulness in worship and obedience to the Law. The sacrifices made and eaten during this festival symbolized national communion and reconciliation with God, representing a true revival.

Examples: Just as Josiah led his people in precise obedience, believers today are called to walk in truth according to God's Word (Jn 17:17). The dedication to a single worship place for Passover foreshadows the New Covenant’s focus on one Mediator (1 Tim 2:5) and the body of Christ as the dwelling place of God’s Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). The precision of the "fourteenth day" speaks to the need for careful adherence to Christ's teachings, our new "Passover" reality (1 Cor 5:7-8).