2 Chronicles 30:1

KJV

¶ And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hezekiah {H3169} sent {H7971} to all Israel {H3478} and Judah {H3063}, and wrote {H3789} letters {H107} also to Ephraim {H669} and Manasseh {H4519}, that they should come {H935} to the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068} at Jerusalem {H3389}, to keep {H6213} the passover {H6453} unto the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Hizkiyahu sent to all Isra'el and Y'hudah, and wrote letters also to Efrayim and M'nasheh, summoning them to the house of ADONAI in Yerushalayim, to keep the Pesach to ADONAI the God of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel.

American Standard Version

And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Hezekiah, in a remarkable display of spiritual zeal and leadership, initiated a nationwide spiritual reformation by extending an unprecedented invitation to both the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the apostate Northern Kingdom of Israel (specifically mentioning Ephraim and Manasseh) to gather in Jerusalem. His ambitious aim was to restore proper worship and observe the long-neglected Passover feast, thereby calling the divided nation back to covenant faithfulness with the LORD God of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Chronicles 30:1 immediately follows the account of King Hezekiah's initial reforms in [2 Chronicles 29](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29 - Hezekiah's Cleansing of the Temple"). Chapter 29 details Hezekiah's swift actions upon ascending the throne, including the cleansing and reconsecration of the Temple, the restoration of Levitical service, and the offering of sacrifices of atonement for all Israel. This verse, therefore, marks the natural progression of his reform efforts, moving from the restoration of the physical sanctuary and its personnel to the re-establishment of a foundational covenant festival for the entire nation. The subsequent verses in [2 Chronicles 30](/2_chronicles/30 "2 Chronicles 30 - The Celebration of Passover") describe the logistics of this grand celebration, the mixed response from the northern tribes, and the outpouring of God's blessing upon those who humbled themselves and participated.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) occurred during a tumultuous period in Israelite history. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had long fallen into idolatry and apostasy, culminating in its imminent destruction and exile by the Assyrian Empire (which occurred shortly after this event, around 722 BC). Judah, though still independent, had also suffered under the wicked reign of Hezekiah's father, Ahaz, who had closed the Temple and promoted pagan worship. The Passover, instituted in [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover"), was a central annual feast commemorating God's deliverance from Egypt and reinforcing the covenant. Its neglect for generations underscored the depth of Israel's spiritual decline. Hezekiah's decision to invite the northern tribes, despite their political separation and spiritual estrangement, was a radical and culturally audacious move, signaling a desire for national spiritual unity under the one true God, even as Assyrian power loomed large.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes that permeate the book of Chronicles and Hezekiah's reign. Firstly, **Spiritual Reformation and Revival** is paramount, showcasing a righteous king's proactive zeal to restore true worship and obedience to God's law after a period of apostasy. Hezekiah's actions are presented as a model of leadership committed to God's commands, echoing the Chronicler's emphasis on righteous kingship. Secondly, the theme of **National Unity and Reconciliation** is evident in the unprecedented invitation extended to the Northern Kingdom. Despite centuries of division and animosity, Hezekiah sought to bridge the gap for the sake of corporate worship and a unified return to the LORD, demonstrating a vision beyond mere political boundaries. Thirdly, the **Sovereignty and Faithfulness of God** are subtly underscored; even in the face of national decline and impending judgment, God's desire for His people to return to Him remains, and He uses faithful leaders like Hezekiah to call them back. This initiative also highlights the **Importance of the Temple and Proper Worship** as the central locus for Israel's relationship with God, a recurring motif throughout Chronicles.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sent (Hebrew, _shalach'_):** The verb "sent" (שָׁלַח, _shalach_) is a simple yet potent word, indicating a deliberate and authoritative dispatch. It implies not merely a casual invitation but a formal, purposeful outreach initiated by the king. This highlights Hezekiah's proactive and earnest commitment to the spiritual restoration of the entire nation, taking personal responsibility to disseminate the call for repentance and worship. It suggests a royal mandate, not a suggestion.
* **Passover (Hebrew, _pesach'_):** The term "Passover" (פֶּסַח, _pesach_) is central to the verse's meaning. It refers to the annual feast commemorating God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, where the angel of death "passed over" the homes marked with the blood of the lamb ([Exodus 12:13](/exodus/12-13 "Exodus 12:13 - The Sign of the Blood")). Its observance was a foundational command, a perpetual reminder of God's covenant faithfulness, His redemptive power, and the necessity of atonement. The fact that it had been neglected underscores the spiritual decay, and Hezekiah's revival of it signifies a profound return to the very roots of Israel's identity and covenant relationship with the LORD.
* **House of the LORD (Hebrew, _beit Yahweh'_):** This phrase (בֵּית יְהוָה, _beit Yahweh_) specifically refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. It was the divinely appointed place where God's presence dwelt among His people, the center of Israelite worship, sacrifice, and pilgrimage. By calling the people to "the house of the LORD at Jerusalem," Hezekiah was emphasizing the singular, legitimate place of worship and seeking to re-centralize the nation's spiritual life around God's prescribed sanctuary, a direct challenge to the idolatrous altars and practices that had proliferated, especially in the Northern Kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah":** This clause establishes King Hezekiah as the initiator of this monumental spiritual endeavor. The scope of his invitation is immediately stated as "all Israel and Judah," emphasizing his vision for a unified spiritual gathering that transcended the long-standing political division between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. This was not merely a call to his own kingdom, but an audacious and inclusive appeal to the entire covenant people.
* **"and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh":** This further specifies and emphasizes the reach of Hezekiah's invitation. By explicitly mentioning "Ephraim and Manasseh," two prominent tribes of the Northern Kingdom, the text highlights the king's deliberate effort to extend the call beyond Judah's borders. This was a bold move, given the deep-seated animosity and spiritual apostasy of the northern tribes, signifying a profound desire for reconciliation and a return to the LORD for all of Jacob's descendants. The "letters" denote a formal, official communication, underscoring the seriousness of the invitation.
* **"that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem":** This clause states the precise destination and purpose of the gathering. "The house of the LORD at Jerusalem" refers to the Temple, the divinely ordained center of Israelite worship. The call to come to Jerusalem was a call to abandon localized, often idolatrous, worship practices and to return to the singular, legitimate place of covenant worship, signifying a re-centralization of spiritual life around God's presence.
* **"to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel":** This final clause specifies the central act of worship Hezekiah sought to restore. "To keep the passover" signifies the observance of this foundational feast, which had been neglected for generations. The phrase "unto the LORD God of Israel" emphasizes that this was not merely a cultural tradition but an act of obedience and worship directed specifically to the covenant God of Israel, acknowledging His unique sovereignty and their covenant relationship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Emphasis** is achieved through the dual mention of "all Israel and Judah" followed by the specific naming of "Ephraim and Manasseh," underscoring the comprehensive and unprecedented reach of Hezekiah's invitation across the divided kingdom. This **Repetition** highlights the king's earnest desire for national spiritual unity. The narrative also employs **Foreshadowing**, as Hezekiah's call for unity and repentance, though met with mixed results initially, anticipates a future time of complete spiritual restoration and gathering of God's people. Furthermore, the very act of observing the **Passover** serves as potent **Symbolism**, representing God's past redemption and His ongoing desire for His people's deliverance from spiritual bondage, pointing to the ultimate redemptive work to come. The "house of the LORD at Jerusalem" functions as a **Symbol** of God's presence, the legitimate center of worship, and the ideal of a unified people gathered before Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 30:1 is rich with theological significance, primarily highlighting God's enduring desire for the repentance and restoration of His people, even when they have strayed far from Him. Hezekiah's initiative reflects a divine pattern: God often uses faithful leaders to call His people back to Himself and to the purity of His worship. The invitation to both Judah and Israel underscores the unity of God's covenant people, regardless of political or historical divisions, and emphasizes that God's grace and call to obedience extend to all who bear His name. The revival of the Passover speaks to the timeless importance of remembering God's redemptive acts and adhering to His commands as the foundation for true spiritual life. This verse sets the stage for a powerful demonstration of God's mercy and His willingness to heal a repentant nation.

* [Exodus 12:1-14](/exodus/12-14 "Exodus 12:1-14 - Institution of the Passover")
* [2 Chronicles 29:10](/2_chronicles/29-10 "2 Chronicles 29:10 - Hezekiah's Covenant with the LORD")
* [2 Chronicles 30:9](/2_chronicles/30-9 "2 Chronicles 30:9 - God's Mercy and Grace for Return")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Hezekiah's bold and Spirit-led initiative in 2 Chronicles 30:1 offers profound lessons for believers today. His actions demonstrate the vital importance of proactive spiritual leadership, not just in times of prosperity but especially in periods of spiritual decline and division. Hezekiah prioritized God's commands and the restoration of authentic worship, even when it required challenging long-standing neglect and political barriers. This calls us to examine our own lives, families, and churches: Are we prioritizing God-centered worship and obedience to His Word? Are we willing to extend invitations for spiritual reconciliation and unity, even to those with whom we may have historical or denominational differences, for the sake of the Gospel and the glory of God? Hezekiah's example encourages us to be instruments of revival, seeking to draw others back to the foundational truths and practices of our faith, trusting that God will honor such sincere efforts with His grace and blessing, even when faced with mixed responses.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community has "Passover" (i.e., foundational spiritual disciplines or truths) been neglected, and how can I, like Hezekiah, proactively work towards its restoration?**
* **How can I contribute to greater unity and reconciliation among believers, even across different church traditions or theological perspectives, for the common purpose of worshiping God?**
* **What does Hezekiah's initiative teach me about the nature of true spiritual leadership, and how can I apply these principles in my own sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why did Hezekiah specifically mention Ephraim and Manasseh when he said "all Israel and Judah"?**

Answer: By explicitly mentioning "Ephraim and Manasseh," Hezekiah was targeting two of the most prominent and populous tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This was a strategic and symbolic gesture. The Northern Kingdom had largely abandoned the true worship of the LORD, establishing idolatrous cults and breaking away from Jerusalem's central sanctuary. Despite their apostasy and the impending judgment from Assyria, Hezekiah's specific mention of these tribes underscored his profound desire for a unified spiritual return to the LORD for all twelve tribes, not just Judah. It was an unprecedented appeal to bridge centuries of political and religious division, emphasizing that the covenant with God was still available to them if they would humble themselves and return to the legitimate worship at the [house of the LORD in Jerusalem](/2_chronicles/30-1 "2 Chronicles 30:1 - Hezekiah's Call to Passover").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The call of Hezekiah to gather all Israel and Judah to keep the Passover in Jerusalem finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Passover itself, commemorating deliverance through the blood of a lamb, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Just as Hezekiah sought to unite a divided people under the banner of the LORD and His covenant feast, Christ, through His atoning death and resurrection, unites all who believe in Him, both Jew and Gentile, into one new humanity, the Church ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). He is the true Temple, the meeting place between God and humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), and the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover Lamb ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")). Hezekiah's invitation, though limited in its success, prefigures Christ's universal call to all people to come to Him for true spiritual cleansing, forgiveness, and participation in the new covenant, where we partake of the spiritual feast of His body and blood ([Matthew 26:26-28](/matthew/26-26 "Matthew 26:26-28 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). He is the one who gathers the scattered children of God, bringing them into true unity and worship before the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 12:3

Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth [day] of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of [their] fathers, a lamb for an house:

Exodus 12:20

Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

Hosea 7:8

¶ Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

Hosea 7:9

Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth [it] not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.

Deuteronomy 16:2

Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.

Deuteronomy 16:6

But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

2 Chronicles 25:7

But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD [is] not with Israel, [to wit, with] all the children of Ephraim.