2 Chronicles 35:17

And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} that were present {H4672} kept {H6213} the passover {H6453} at that time {H6256}, and the feast {H2282} of unleavened bread {H4682} seven {H7651} days {H3117}.

The people of Isra'el who were present observed the Pesach at that time and the festival of Matzot for seven days.

The Israelites who were present also observed the Passover at that time, as well as the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.

And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.

Context

This verse describes a pivotal moment during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, celebrated as one of Israel's most righteous kings. Following years of national decline and idolatry, Josiah initiated extensive religious reforms, including the cleansing of the land and the Temple and the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. The subsequent observance of the Passover, detailed in 2 Chronicles 35:1-19, was exceptionally significant, with verse 18 declaring it unparalleled since the days of Samuel, highlighting a deep national commitment to God's commands.

Key Themes

  • Restoration and Obedience: The meticulous keeping of the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread highlights a national return to God's commands after generations of neglect. This was a powerful act of repentance and covenant renewal under Josiah's leadership.
  • The Significance of Feasts: The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread were foundational observances, commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. Their careful observance underscored their enduring importance for national identity and faith, reminding the people of God's faithfulness and their covenant responsibilities.
  • Corporate Worship and Unity: "The children of Israel that were present" emphasizes the collective nature of this worship. It was a unifying act of faith and obedience that brought the nation together in a shared spiritual experience.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Passover" (Hebrew: Pesach) literally means "passing over," referring to the angel of death passing over the houses of the Israelites marked with lamb's blood in Egypt (Exodus 12:13). It symbolized God's redemptive act and His covenant with Israel.

The "Feast of Unleavened Bread" (Hebrew: Chag HaMatzot) immediately followed Passover, lasting seven days. The unleavened bread (matzah) symbolized the haste of their departure from Egypt, as they had no time for bread to rise. Spiritually, it also represented purity, as leaven often symbolizes sin or corruption in Scripture (1 Corinthians 5:8), urging believers to put away malice and wickedness.

Practical Application

This historical event offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Remembering God's Deliverance: Just as Israel was called to remember God's mighty acts of salvation, believers today are called to remember the ultimate Passover sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who delivers us from the bondage of sin and death.
  • The Call to Purity and Obedience: The Feast of Unleavened Bread reminds us of the ongoing need for spiritual cleansing and a life lived in obedience to God's word. It's a call to remove "leaven"—sin and corruption—from our lives.
  • Seeking Revival: Josiah's Passover demonstrates the power of national and personal revival when there is a sincere return to God's commands and a desire for His presence. It encourages us to pursue spiritual renewal in our own lives and communities.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 12:15

    Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

  • Exodus 12:20

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

  • Numbers 28:16

    ¶ And in the fourteenth day of the first month [is] the passover of the LORD.

  • Numbers 28:25

    And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:7

    ¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

  • 1 Corinthians 5:8

    Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.

  • Exodus 34:18

    ¶ The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back