2 Chronicles 35 6

2 Chronicles 35:6 kjv

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.

2 Chronicles 35:6 nkjv

So slaughter the Passover offerings, consecrate yourselves, and prepare them for your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses."

2 Chronicles 35:6 niv

Slaughter the Passover lambs, consecrate yourselves and prepare the lambs for your fellow Israelites, doing what the LORD commanded through Moses."

2 Chronicles 35:6 esv

And slaughter the Passover lamb, and consecrate yourselves, and prepare for your brothers, to do according to the word of the LORD by Moses."

2 Chronicles 35:6 nlt

Slaughter the Passover lambs, purify yourselves, and prepare to help those who come. Follow all the directions that the LORD gave through Moses."

2 Chronicles 35 verses

2 Chronicles 35 6 Meaning

This verse instructs the Levites, who were central to the temple service during King Josiah's reign, to properly sacrifice the Passover lamb. It commands them to first purify themselves (consecrate) and then make all necessary preparations for their fellow Israelites, ensuring that every action strictly aligns with the Law given by God through Moses. This highlights the importance of ritual purity, meticulous adherence to divine commands, and the service role of the Levites in facilitating the nation's worship of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 35 6 Context

This verse is set during the pivotal reign of King Josiah of Judah (640-609 BC), specifically detailing the extensive and unprecedented Passover celebration he commanded in his eighteenth year. Following the discovery of the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) in the Temple, Josiah initiated radical reforms, purging idolatry and restoring pure Yahwistic worship. The chapter immediately preceding this verse details Josiah's meticulous preparation for this Passover, including restoring the Ark to the Temple, organizing the Levites, and emphasizing their role according to David and Solomon's ordinances. Verse 6 directly addresses the Levites, who were now properly organized and responsible for various aspects of the Temple service, commanding them how to carry out the core ritual of the Passover, underlining their crucial mediatorial role between God and the people. This Passover was so thoroughly conducted and aligned with the Law that 2 Chronicles 35:18 states "No Passover like it had been celebrated in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet."

2 Chronicles 35 6 Word analysis

• So: (Hebrew: וְעַתָּה v'attah) - Functions as a transitional conjunction, indicating a logical consequence or a command based on what has just been established. Here, it follows Josiah's instruction to the Levites to assume their assigned roles, setting forth their next immediate duty.

• slaughter: (Hebrew: שַׁחֲטוּ shakhathu) - A verb in the Piel imperative form, meaning to "slaughter," "kill ritually." This term is consistently used in the Old Testament for the sacrificial killing of animals. It emphasizes the specific, prescribed ritual act rather than general killing. The command implies direct action required from the Levites for the Passover.

• the Passover lamb: (Hebrew: הַפֶּסַח happesach) - Literally "the Passover." It refers to the animal, specifically a lamb or goat, designated for the Passover sacrifice as detailed in Ex 12 and Deut 16. It is not just a lamb, but the specific sacrifice required for this holy feast, laden with profound theological significance commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt.

• and consecrate yourselves: (Hebrew: וְהִתְקַדְּשׁוּ v'hithkadeshu) - From the root קָדַשׁ (qadash), meaning "to be holy," "set apart." The Hithpael imperative form (reflexive) signifies "make yourselves holy," "purify yourselves." This was a vital prerequisite for anyone handling sacred objects or performing sacred duties. It involved ritual cleansing and moral preparedness to approach God. Its inclusion here highlights that physical action without spiritual readiness is insufficient for God's service.

• and prepare: (Hebrew: וְהָכִינוּ v'hakhinu) - From the root כּוּן (kun), in the Hiphil imperative, meaning "to make ready," "prepare," "establish." This refers to the practical arrangements for the entire congregation. It denotes a meticulous organization for the thousands of sacrifices that needed to be processed efficiently.

• for your brethren: (Hebrew: לַאֲחֵיכֶם la'akheikhem) - Lit. "to/for your brothers." This refers to the other Israelites who were not Levites. It underscores the Levites' divinely appointed role as facilitators of worship for the entire community, emphasizing their service-oriented function and the communal nature of the Passover observance.

• to do: (Hebrew: לַעֲשׂוֹת la'asoth) - A common Hebrew infinitive construct, indicating the purpose or goal of the previous commands: why they must slaughter and prepare. It directs their actions towards a specific standard.

• according to the word of the LORD: (Hebrew: כִּדְבַר יְהוָה kidevar YHWH) - Kidevar means "according to the word of," emphasizing strict adherence to divine instructions. YHWH (the LORD) is God's covenant name, underscoring the divine authority behind these commands. This phrase asserts that the rituals are not arbitrary human inventions but originate directly from God's revelation.

• by the hand of Moses: (Hebrew: בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁה b'yad-Moshe) - Lit. "in the hand of Moses" or "through the hand of Moses." This phrase indicates Moses as the authorized agent or instrument through whom God's commandments were communicated and codified. It signifies the authoritative and unchanging nature of the Mosaic Law as the standard for Israel's worship and conduct.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "So slaughter the Passover lamb": This forms the core action and subject of the command. It's an imperative to perform the central sacrificial act of the Passover, stressing both the urgency ("so") and the specific object ("the Passover lamb").
  • "and consecrate yourselves, and prepare": This group highlights the dual, complementary prerequisites for effective and acceptable service. "Consecrate yourselves" speaks to internal and ritual purity, setting apart; "prepare" speaks to practical, organized readiness. Both are essential before ministering.
  • "for your brethren": This clarifies the recipients and ultimate beneficiaries of the Levites' service. It emphasizes a pastoral and communal responsibility, as the Levites' actions enable the wider Israelite community to participate in the sacred feast.
  • "to do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses": This concluding phrase functions as the ultimate standard and theological underpinning for all their actions. It roots the entire process in divine revelation, affirming the perpetual authority and sufficiency of the Torah given through Moses for Israel's worship and life. It serves as a reminder that proper worship is prescribed, not invented.

2 Chronicles 35 6 Bonus section

This command given to the Levites under Josiah underscores a fundamental principle of Old Covenant worship: precision and purity were paramount for effective spiritual engagement. The vast scale of this Passover meant thousands of lambs were to be slaughtered, necessitating a highly organized and consecrated Levitical corps. The Chronicler emphasizes their role because, historically, neglect of the Levites' duties often led to spiritual decline (e.g., in Ahaz's reign). Josiah's revival specifically rectified this, ensuring that those appointed to minister were both ritually and morally fit. The phrase "by the hand of Moses" grounds the reform in ancient, divinely established tradition, countering any potential claims of novelty or human invention in their worship. This particular Passover was also distinct in its nation-wide participation and funding directly from the king and his officials (2 Chr 35:7-9), demonstrating unprecedented zeal for the Lord.

2 Chronicles 35 6 Commentary

2 Chronicles 35:6 encapsulates the diligent obedience and restored piety that characterized King Josiah's Passover. It specifically directs the Levites to perform the necessary, highly detailed rituals for the feast with both ritual purity ("consecrate yourselves") and meticulous preparation ("prepare"). Their task was not for personal gain but "for your brethren," demonstrating their intermediary role and the communal nature of true worship. Most crucially, their actions were to be "according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses," underscoring an unwavering commitment to divine authority as revealed in the Torah, distinguishing Josiah's Passover as one of unparalleled faithfulness. This verse reinforces that proper worship requires both internal consecration and external conformity to God's revealed will, executed in a spirit of service for the wider community of faith. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's people are to live and worship by His revealed word.

• Examples:
  • Purity: Like a clean vessel being necessary before drawing fresh water, Levites had to be consecrated before handling sacred things, ensuring the integrity of the holy ceremony.
  • Preparation: Similar to how detailed blueprints are followed for a grand building, every aspect of the Passover was to be prepared according to precise, divinely-given instructions.
  • Service: The Levites facilitated access for the entire congregation, much like ushers or volunteers ensure smooth operations for a large church gathering, enabling everyone to participate.
  • Obedience: Every step was prescribed, reinforcing that worship is God-defined, not man-made, akin to an athlete adhering strictly to game rules to avoid disqualification.