2 Chronicles 35:7 kjv
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.
2 Chronicles 35:7 nkjv
Then Josiah gave the lay people lambs and young goats from the flock, all for Passover offerings for all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand, as well as three thousand cattle; these were from the king's possessions.
2 Chronicles 35:7 niv
Josiah provided for all the lay people who were there a total of thirty thousand lambs and goats for the Passover offerings, and also three thousand cattle?all from the king's own possessions.
2 Chronicles 35:7 esv
Then Josiah contributed to the lay people, as Passover offerings for all who were present, lambs and young goats from the flock to the number of 30,000, and 3,000 bulls; these were from the king's possessions.
2 Chronicles 35:7 nlt
Then Josiah provided 30,000 lambs and young goats for the people's Passover offerings, along with 3,000 cattle, all from the king's own flocks and herds.
2 Chronicles 35 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 12:5 | Your lamb shall be... a male of the first year without blemish. | Requirement for Passover lamb. |
| Lev 23:5 | In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's Passover. | Stipulates Passover timing. |
| Num 9:2-3 | Let the children of Israel also keep the Passover... on its appointed time. | Command to keep Passover. |
| Num 28:17-24 | In the fifteenth day of this month is the feast... seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread. | Sacrifices for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. |
| 2 Chr 30:24 | Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep. | Kingly provision for a previous Passover celebration. |
| 1 Kgs 8:63 | Solomon offered... two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. | Scale of dedication sacrifices, highlighting large provisions. |
| Ezra 7:17 | With this money therefore buy speedily bulls, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings... | Persian king Artaxerxes' provision for temple sacrifices. |
| Ezra 6:9-10 | Whatever they need... oxen, rams, and lambs... let it be given them daily... that they may offer sacrifices. | Persian king Darius' decree for provision for temple sacrifices. |
| 2 Chr 34:14 | ...Hilkoiah the priest found a book of the law... | The discovery that spurred Josiah's reforms. |
| 2 Chr 34:31 | The king stood in his place and made a covenant... to walk after the LORD... | Josiah's personal commitment to the law. |
| 2 Chr 35:1 | Josiah kept a Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the Passover. | Introduction to the grand Passover event. |
| 2 Chr 35:18 | There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet... | Highlights the unprecedented scale of Josiah's Passover. |
| Gen 22:8 | God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering... | Ultimate divine provision of sacrifice. |
| Mic 6:7 | Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams... or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? | Contrasts quantity of sacrifice with heart and justice. |
| Ps 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. | Emphasizes the importance of sincerity over mere ritual. |
| Isa 53:7 | He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter. | Prophecy of Christ, the sacrificial Lamb. |
| Jn 1:29 | The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" | Identifies Christ as the ultimate Passover Lamb. |
| 1 Cor 5:7 | Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. | Christ as the Christian Passover. |
| Heb 9:22 | And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. | Explains the necessity of blood sacrifice for atonement. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish. | Christ's perfect, blood sacrifice for redemption. |
| Rom 12:1 | I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. | The call for New Testament believers' spiritual sacrifice. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Principle of generous and willing giving. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty... | Principle of giving from personal resources. |
| Phil 4:18 | ...fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. | Describing generous financial contributions as acceptable offerings to God. |
2 Chronicles 35 verses
2 Chronicles 35 7 Meaning
2 Chronicles 35:7 describes King Josiah's exceptional generosity and devotion during the grand Passover celebration he orchestrated. He personally provided an enormous quantity of sacrificial animals – thirty thousand lambs and young goats specifically for the Passover offerings, and three thousand bulls for other associated sacrifices during the subsequent Feast of Unleavened Bread. This vast contribution, entirely from his personal wealth, ensured that every person in Israel who was present could fully participate in the required temple sacrifices, underscoring Josiah's commitment to pure worship and national spiritual restoration.
2 Chronicles 35 7 Context
This verse is part of the extensive narrative in 2 Chronicles 35 detailing King Josiah's grand celebration of the Passover. This event is portrayed as a pivotal moment of spiritual restoration in Judah, following generations of idolatry and religious decline. Chapter 34 recounts Josiah's thorough reforms, including cleansing the land of idols and repairing the temple, culminating in the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. The powerful words of the Law convicted Josiah, leading him to renew the covenant with the Lord. The Passover, a fundamental feast commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage, had been largely neglected or inadequately observed. Josiah's diligent preparations and the magnitude of his personal contribution ensure that this Passover, far from a mere ritual, becomes an inclusive and fervent act of national repentance and renewed devotion, emphasizing the Chronicler's theme of the importance of covenant fidelity and proper worship at the Jerusalem temple.
2 Chronicles 35 7 Word analysis
- And Josiah (וַיֹּאשִׁיָּהוּ - vayyo'shiyahu): "Josiah" (meaning "the Lord supports" or "the Lord heals") is central. His name aligns with his actions of healing Judah's spiritual sickness. He is presented as an ideal king who personally championed God's commands.
- gave (וַיִּתֵּן - vayyitten): A simple verb "to give," but in this context, it signifies a massive act of generous and personal provision. It highlights his royal authority used for godly purposes, facilitating worship for the masses.
- to the people (לָעָם - la'am): Refers to the common people, emphasizing that the king's provision was for everyone, making the elaborate celebration accessible regardless of their economic standing.
- to all who were present (לְכָל־הַנִּמְצָא - l'kol-hannimtsa): Stresses inclusivity. It indicates not just Jerusalemites but anyone from all of Israel (those who remained, potentially from the northern tribes also) who had gathered for the festival. This speaks to Josiah's vision for a unified worship under Yahweh.
- of Israel (בְיִשְׂרָאֵל - b'yisrael): Signifies a broad reach, indicating a national revival effort encompassing those identified as belonging to the twelve tribes, not just Judah.
- thirty thousand lambs and young goats (שְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף כְּבָשִׂים וַעֲזִים - sh'loshim elef kvasim va'azim): This specific and immense number (literally, "sheep and goats") highlights the colossal scale of his donation. Lambs or goats were the required sacrifice for the individual household Passover observance. This ensured that no family was deprived of participation due to lack of an animal.
- all for Passover offerings (הַכֹּל לְפֶסַח לִזְבָחִים - hakkol l'pesakh lizvakhim): Clearly specifies the purpose. "Passover offerings" (זְבָחִים - zevakhim) refers to the actual sacrificial slaughter for the Passover meal itself, distinct from other offerings. This precision indicates a full understanding and adherence to the Law.
- and three thousand bulls (וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים בָּקָר - u'sh'loshet alafim baqar): Bulls were generally used for burnt offerings (which involved complete consumption by fire) or peace offerings/fellowship offerings (which were partly eaten by the offerers, priests, and consumed on the altar). These would have been for the subsequent Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed Passover and required a significant number of additional communal and individual sacrifices over seven days (Num 28:17-25).
- these were from the king's property (אֵלֶּה מִרְכוּשׁ הַמֶּלֶךְ - elleh mirkhush hammelkh): Emphasizes the personal nature of the donation. This was not taken from national coffers or taxation, but from Josiah's personal wealth or livestock holdings. This personal sacrifice magnifies his devotion and deep commitment to God's law.
2 Chronicles 35 7 Bonus section
The massive logistics involved in handling 30,000 lambs/goats and 3,000 bulls, from their movement to the temple courts, the process of ritual slaughter, flaying, and preparing them, speaks volumes about the level of organization Josiah must have overseen. It indicates a highly coordinated effort among the priests, Levites, and royal servants. This grand offering also suggests Josiah's understanding that true worship extends beyond decrees; it requires tangible support to make it feasible for the community, especially after generations of neglect meant many families would not have had the resources themselves. This record of immense personal contribution contrasts sharply with the lukewarm and superficial adherence to the law often seen in previous reigns, positioning Josiah as a king striving for deep, corporate transformation rather than just external compliance.
2 Chronicles 35 7 Commentary
2 Chronicles 35:7 stands as a powerful testament to King Josiah's exemplary piety and dedication to God's commands. Beyond mere religious observance, his personal, monumental contribution of animals removed a significant practical barrier for widespread participation in the Passover. This act of giving from "the king's property" reveals a monarch who prioritized God's worship above his own wealth and comfort, echoing the principles of tithing and firstfruits in the Law (Prov 3:9). The sheer scale of animals — tens of thousands — underscores the chronicler's assertion that this Passover was unequalled since the time of Samuel (2 Chr 35:18), signifying a spiritual peak for Judah. This provision allowed for both the primary Passover lambs and additional offerings required for the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread, making the festival truly comprehensive for the people. Josiah's actions serve as a model for leadership: a king not just decreeing but personally enabling his people to draw near to God in the prescribed manner. It also subtly foreshadows the ultimate divine provision in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all sacrificial requirements (Jn 1:29). Josiah's unparalleled generosity enabled an entire nation to experience a momentous spiritual revival, illustrating the principle that abundant grace from leadership can facilitate communal worship and blessing.