2 Chronicles 35 11

2 Chronicles 35:11 kjv

And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.

2 Chronicles 35:11 nkjv

And they slaughtered the Passover offerings; and the priests sprinkled the blood with their hands, while the Levites skinned the animals.

2 Chronicles 35:11 niv

The Passover lambs were slaughtered, and the priests splashed against the altar the blood handed to them, while the Levites skinned the animals.

2 Chronicles 35:11 esv

And they slaughtered the Passover lamb, and the priests threw the blood that they received from them while the Levites flayed the sacrifices.

2 Chronicles 35:11 nlt

The Levites then slaughtered the Passover lambs and presented the blood to the priests, who sprinkled the blood on the altar while the Levites prepared the animals.

2 Chronicles 35 verses

2 Chronicles 35 11 Meaning

This verse describes a specific set of actions during the immense Passover celebration led by King Josiah. It details the ritual slaughter of the Passover animals, the sacred duty of the priests in applying the blood, and the subsequent task of the Levites in preparing the sacrifices by skinning them. It highlights the coordinated effort and strict adherence to the prescribed Mosaic Law for Temple service and Passover observance.

2 Chronicles 35 11 Context

This verse is situated in 2 Chronicles chapter 35, which recounts King Josiah's grand Passover celebration in Jerusalem. This event followed Josiah's extensive religious reforms, including the purification of the land from idolatry, the repair of the Temple, and the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. Josiah diligently organized the Temple services, appointed priests and Levites to their designated roles, and personally contributed an enormous number of animals for the Passover sacrifice. Verse 11 describes a specific, vital step in this massive ritual, following the preparation of the Sanctuary service and the distribution of the animals to the Levites (v. 10). The sheer scale of this Passover required highly organized execution of these precise ritual duties, making it a powerful testament to Israel's restored obedience to the Law.

2 Chronicles 35 11 Word analysis

• And they killed: The Hebrew verb is vayyishchaṭu (וַיִּשְּׁחֲטוּ), derived from the root shaḥaṭ (שָׁחַט), meaning "to slaughter" or "to kill." In the context of sacrifices, it specifically denotes the ritual killing of an animal. This action was performed by the Levites for the general populace, while the priests killed sacrifices for themselves or under specific circumstances. The plural "they" indicates a collective, well-organized effort.
• the Passover lamb: The Hebrew hapasach (הַפָּסַח) refers to the specific animal designated for the Passover offering. While often translated "lamb," the instruction allowed for sheep or goats. The phrase highlights the sacrificial animal central to the Passover ritual, which commemorated Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Its sacrifice served as a prototype for the ultimate sacrifice of Christ (1 Cor 5:7).
• and the priests sprinkled the blood: The Hebrew zarku (זָרְקוּ) from the root zaraq (זָרַק) means to "sprinkle," "toss," or "throw." This was a highly significant act exclusively performed by the priests. The blood, representing life (Lev 17:11), was considered sacred and vital for atonement and purification rituals. Its application against the altar symbolized making atonement for sins.
• received from their hand: The Hebrew miyyadām (מִיָּדָם) literally means "from their hand." This refers to the blood collected from the Levites (or other participants who killed their own Passover lambs) who performed the slaughter. It highlights the division of labor: the Levites killed, but the priests alone handled the sacred blood.
• and the Levites skinned them: The Hebrew hiphshiṭu (הִפְשִׁיטוּ) from pashaṭ (פָּשַׁט) means to "skin," "flay," or "strip off." The Levites were tasked with assisting the priests in various ritual duties, including preparing the sacrificial animals. This was a massive undertaking for thousands of animals and underscores the meticulousness of Temple worship. (2 Chron 29:34 indicates that if priests were insufficient or unprepared, Levites would assist with even more sacred tasks, though skinning was typically their role).

• "killed the Passover lamb, and the priests sprinkled the blood... and the Levites skinned them": This sequence powerfully illustrates the meticulously defined roles within the Temple service. The slaughter by the Levites, the unique blood-sprinkling by the priests, and the preparation (skinning) again by the Levites, all reflect strict adherence to Mosaic law regarding the handling of sacred offerings. This systematic approach ensured ritual purity and efficiency in processing the vast number of sacrifices for Josiah’s unparalleled Passover.

2 Chronicles 35 11 Bonus section

The efficiency and coordination described in this verse were vital given the unprecedented scale of Josiah's Passover. Verse 18 records that "no Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet, and no king of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept." The vast number of sacrifices (implied by Josiah's contribution of 30,000 lambs/goats and 3,000 bulls in 2 Chron 35:7-8, plus princely donations) would have required immense organization and the precise roles detailed in verse 11 were essential to prevent ritual contamination and maintain order. This reflects the restoration not just of outward rituals but of an obedient heart to the Divine Law.

2 Chronicles 35 11 Commentary

2 Chronicles 35:11 depicts the rigorous and precise execution of the Passover sacrifice under King Josiah. It underscores the clear division of labor mandated by the Law: the Levites were responsible for the physical act of slaughtering and preparing the animal by skinning it, while the priests held the exclusive and crucial duty of collecting and applying the blood to the altar. This adherence to protocol ensured that every aspect of the atonement ritual was performed according to God's command. The centrality of blood in these rites points forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Christ, the true Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7), whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins, completing what the Old Covenant sacrifices only prefigured. The sheer scale of Josiah's Passover meant these actions were repeated thousands of times, reflecting the nation's restored commitment to Yahweh.