2 Kings 23:21

KJV

And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as [it is] written in the book of this covenant.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} commanded {H6680} all the people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Keep {H6213} the passover {H6453} unto the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}, as it is written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of this covenant {H1285}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king issued this order to all the people: "Observe Pesach to ADONAI your God, as written in this scroll of the covenant.

Berean Standard Bible

The king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”

American Standard Version

And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto Jehovah your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Josiah's command in 2 Kings 23:21 marks a pivotal moment in Judah's spiritual history, compelling the nation to observe the Passover in strict accordance with the "book of this covenant" recently rediscovered in the Temple. This directive underscores Josiah's profound commitment to national repentance, the eradication of idolatry, and a comprehensive return to the pure worship of the LORD, signaling a powerful act of covenant renewal and adherence to divine instruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This command is the culmination of King Josiah's extensive religious reforms, which began earlier in his reign (2 Kings 22:3-7). The immediate catalyst was the discovery of the "Book of the Law" (likely a portion of Deuteronomy) by Hilkiah the high priest during Temple repairs, as detailed in [2 Kings 22:8](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law"). Upon hearing its contents, Josiah was deeply convicted, tearing his clothes in repentance and initiating a sweeping purge of idolatry from Judah and Israel (2 Kings 23:4-20). The Passover celebration, commanded in [2 Kings 23:21](/2_kings/23-21 "2 Kings 23:21 - Josiah Commands Passover"), serves as the capstone of these reforms, a public and national affirmation of their renewed commitment to the covenant stipulations found in the rediscovered book, demonstrating a full restoration of proper worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Judah, prior to Josiah's reign, had endured decades of profound spiritual apostasy under kings like Manasseh and Amon, who actively promoted idolatry, child sacrifice, and syncretistic worship practices (2 Kings 21:1-26). The Temple itself had been defiled, and the Mosaic Law largely forgotten or ignored. Josiah, coming to the throne at a young age (eight years old, [2 Kings 22:1](/2_kings/22-1 "2 Kings 22:1 - Josiah's Reign Begins")), began his reforms around his eighteenth year, capitalizing on the weakened state of the Assyrian Empire, which had previously exerted control over Judah and influenced its religious practices. The Passover, an ancient festival commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage ([Exodus 12:1-28](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")), held deep historical and theological significance. Its meticulous observance, "as it is written," represented a radical break from the prevailing syncretism and a deliberate return to the foundational identity of Israel as God's covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** The command in [2 Kings 23:21](/2_kings/23-21 "2 Kings 23:21 - Josiah Commands Passover") powerfully encapsulates several major themes central to the book of Kings and the Deuteronomistic history. First, it highlights the **absolute authority and transformative power of God's Word**. The rediscovery and subsequent obedience to the "book of this covenant" directly spurred Josiah's reforms and the national Passover, demonstrating that genuine spiritual revival flows from adherence to divine revelation. Second, it signifies a profound act of **covenant renewal**. By observing the Passover as prescribed, the people reaffirmed their unique relationship with the LORD, established at Mount Sinai, and recommitted to the terms of that sacred bond. Third, the emphasis on the Passover itself underscores the theme of **remembrance and divine deliverance**. The festival served as a perpetual reminder of God's mighty acts of salvation, particularly the Exodus, which defined Israel's identity and their call to holiness. Finally, the verse champions **authentic worship**, contrasting the prescribed, biblically-rooted practices with the unauthorized and idolatrous forms of worship that had become prevalent. True worship, as demonstrated by Josiah, is always in accordance with God's explicit instructions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Passover (Hebrew, _pesach'_):** This term refers to the annual festival commemorating the tenth and final plague in Egypt, where the angel of death "passed over" the homes of the Israelites marked with the blood of a lamb, sparing their firstborn (Exodus 12). Its observance was a perpetual statute, a foundational act of remembrance for Israel's deliverance from slavery and the establishment of their covenant relationship with God. Josiah's command to "Keep the passover" was not merely a ritualistic act but a profound re-engagement with the core narrative of God's redemptive power and Israel's identity as His chosen people.
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _berith'_):** This word signifies a solemn, binding agreement or treaty, often initiated by a suzerain (superior party) with a vassal (inferior party). In this context, "the book of this covenant" refers to the Mosaic Law, which established the terms of God's relationship with Israel. It was a conditional covenant, promising blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Josiah's emphasis on observing the Passover "as it is written in the book of this covenant" highlights the binding nature of God's divine stipulations and the necessity of precise adherence to His revealed will for the nation's well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king commanded all the people":** This phrase emphasizes Josiah's authoritative leadership and his commitment to implementing the rediscovered Law across the entire nation. As king, he bore the responsibility for the spiritual well-being of his people, and this command demonstrates his active and decisive role in leading them back to God. It was not a suggestion but a royal decree, reflecting the gravity of the national spiritual crisis and the urgency of reform.
* **"saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God":** This is the direct command, specifying the central act of the national reformation. The Passover was to be observed "unto the LORD your God," underscoring that its purpose was for God's glory and in recognition of His unique relationship with Israel. This phrase distinguishes it from any syncretistic or idolatrous practices, re-centering worship on the one true God. The command to "keep" (Hebrew, _'asah'_), meaning to do, make, or observe, implies a full and proper execution of the festival's requirements.
* **"as [it is] written in the book of this covenant":** This crucial clause provides the divine mandate and the standard for the Passover's observance. It signifies that the basis for their worship was not tradition, human innovation, or syncretism, but the explicit, authoritative instructions found in God's revealed Word. This phrase highlights the absolute supremacy of Scripture as the guide for faith and practice, and it validates Josiah's reforms as divinely sanctioned rather than merely human initiatives.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Covenant Language**, particularly through the phrase "book of this covenant," which immediately evokes the foundational relationship between God and Israel established at Sinai. This language reinforces the theological framework of the Deuteronomistic history, where obedience to the covenant brings blessing and disobedience brings judgment. There is also a strong sense of **Authoritative Command**, as Josiah, the king, issues a direct and unequivocal order to "Keep the passover." This command is then grounded in **Scriptural Authority**, indicated by "as [it is] written," establishing the rediscovered book as the ultimate source of truth and the standard for all national religious practice. This juxtaposition of royal command and divine instruction underscores the legitimacy and necessity of the reforms.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command to observe the Passover in 2 Kings 23:21 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring importance of God's revealed Word and the call to covenant faithfulness. It illustrates that true spiritual revival is not merely an emotional experience but a deliberate, obedient return to the divine standards articulated in Scripture. Josiah's actions highlight the cyclical nature of Israel's relationship with God—marked by periods of apostasy followed by calls to repentance and renewal, often catalyzed by the rediscovery of God's Law. This verse reminds us that God's covenant promises and requirements remain steadfast, calling His people to remember His past acts of deliverance and to live in faithful response to His ongoing grace.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4-9](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - The Shema and Teaching the Law") – Emphasizes the centrality of God's commands and the imperative to teach them diligently, reflecting the spirit behind Josiah's reforms.
* [Nehemiah 8:1-8](/nehemiah/8-1 "Nehemiah 8:1-8 - Ezra Reads the Law") – Another significant post-exilic moment of covenant renewal and rediscovery of the Law, where Ezra reads the Law to the people, leading to repentance and celebration, paralleling Josiah's actions.
* [2 Chronicles 35:1-19](/2_chronicles/35-1 "2 Chronicles 35:1-19 - Josiah's Great Passover") – Provides a parallel account of Josiah's Passover, emphasizing its unparalleled nature and meticulous adherence to the Law, reinforcing the significance of the event.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Josiah's command to keep the Passover, rooted in the rediscovered "book of this covenant," offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and communities. It serves as a powerful reminder that genuine spiritual vitality and reformation are inextricably linked to the rediscovery, reverence, and rigorous application of God's Word. Just as the people of Judah had strayed due to neglect of Scripture, so too can individuals and churches drift from truth when the Bible is marginalized. This narrative challenges us to ask whether our practices, beliefs, and worship are truly "as it is written" in God's authoritative Word, or if they have been diluted by cultural trends or personal preferences. It calls us to cultivate a hunger for God's truth, allowing it to expose sin, prompt repentance, and guide us into authentic worship and obedience. Furthermore, it highlights the transformative power of leadership that prioritizes God's commands and courageously calls others to follow.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "books of the covenant" (Scriptures) have I neglected or allowed to become dusty in my own life, and how might their rediscovery lead to personal revival?**
* **In what areas of my life or my community's practice might we be operating on tradition or convenience rather than what is "written" in God's Word?**
* **How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance (like the Passover for Israel, or Christ's sacrifice for us) motivate me to greater obedience and worship today?**
* **What role do I play, as an individual or leader, in promoting a deeper commitment to biblical truth within my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**What was the "book of this covenant" that was rediscovered?**

Answer: While the text does not specify the exact scroll, scholarly consensus suggests it was likely a portion of the book of Deuteronomy, or perhaps a larger section of the Pentateuch. The specific commands and warnings found in Deuteronomy align closely with the reforms Josiah enacted, particularly the emphasis on exclusive worship of the LORD and the eradication of idolatry. The term "book of this covenant" (Hebrew: _sepher habberith hazzeh_) underscores its nature as a foundational legal and theological document outlining the terms of God's covenant with Israel.

**Why was the Passover celebration so significant for Josiah's reforms?**

Answer: The Passover was profoundly significant because it was the foundational festival commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt ([Exodus 12:1-28](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")). Observing it "as it is written" was a powerful act of national identity reaffirmation and covenant renewal. It symbolized a return to the very roots of their relationship with God, acknowledging His mighty acts of salvation and their unique status as His redeemed people. After decades of idolatry and forgetting their history, meticulously keeping the Passover was a public declaration of repentance and a recommitment to the LORD as their only God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Josiah's command to keep the Passover "as it is written in the book of this covenant" finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Passover itself, with its sacrificed lamb and blood applied to doorposts to avert judgment, was a profound foreshadowing of 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 the blood of the Passover lamb secured deliverance from physical death for Israel, so the shed blood of Christ secures eternal deliverance from spiritual death for all who believe. Christ is our [Passover lamb, sacrificed for us](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover"). Furthermore, the "book of this covenant" pointed forward to the new and better covenant established through Christ's blood ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of a New Covenant")), a covenant not merely written on stone tablets but on the hearts of believers ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")). While Josiah's reforms brought a temporary return to the Law, Christ's perfect obedience and atoning work fulfilled the Law's demands and inaugurated an era of grace and truth ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ")), inviting all people into a personal, Spirit-empowered relationship with God, no longer bound by the shadows but living in the light of the true Passover.

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

Deuteronomy 16:1

¶ Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.

Deuteronomy 16:8

Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day [shall be] a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work [therein].

Numbers 9:2

Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season.

Numbers 9:5

And they kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month at even in the wilderness of Sinai: according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did the children of Israel.

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.

Leviticus 23:5

In the fourteenth [day] of the first month at even [is] the LORD'S passover.