2 Kings 23:22

Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;

Surely there was not holden {H6213} such a passover {H6453} from the days {H3117} of the judges {H8199} that judged {H8199} Israel {H3478}, nor in all the days {H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, nor of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063};

For Pesach had not been so observed since the days when the judges ruled Isra'el - not during the times of any of the kings of Isra'el or of the kings of Y'hudah.

No such Passover had been observed from the days of the judges who had governed Israel through all the days of the kings of Israel and Judah.

Surely there was not kept such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;

Commentary

Context

King Josiah's reign was marked by a profound spiritual awakening in Judah. This remarkable Passover celebration, described in 2 Kings 23:22, follows the dramatic discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple during repairs. Prior to Josiah, Judah had fallen into deep idolatry and neglect of God's commands, with many of the nation's kings leading them astray. Josiah's response to the rediscovered Law initiated a sweeping religious reform, cleansing the land of pagan worship and restoring the true worship of Yahweh.

Key Themes

  • Radical Reformation and Revival: The verse highlights the unparalleled nature of this Passover, signifying a deep and genuine spiritual cleansing and revival in Judah. Josiah's actions demonstrate a commitment to eradicate idolatry and restore proper worship.
  • Obedience to God's Word: The unprecedented quality of this Passover stemmed directly from its strict adherence to the rediscovered divine commands. It was observed precisely as prescribed in the Law, unlike previous, more perfunctory observances.
  • Covenant Renewal: This celebration served as a national recommitment to the covenant God made with Israel at Sinai. It was a tangible expression of the people's renewed obligation and God's faithfulness.
  • Historical Benchmark: The declaration that "surely there was not holden such a passover" places Josiah's observance as a pinnacle in Israelite history, surpassing all previous celebrations since the era of the Judges.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "surely there was not holden such a passover" powerfully conveys the extraordinary quality and sincerity of this particular observance. The Hebrew emphasizes that this Passover was uniquely comprehensive and faithful in its execution, setting it apart from all others. It wasn't merely the act of observing Passover, but the manner and devotion with which it was kept that made it unparalleled in the nation's history.

Significance and Cross-References

The chronicler's emphatic statement underscores the depth of Judah's spiritual decline before Josiah and the immense magnitude of his reforms. While Passover was instituted in Exodus 12 and commanded to be observed perpetually, its full and proper celebration had evidently dwindled over centuries. This specific Passover surpassed even those observed during the time of the Judges of Israel and the reigns of both the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. It marked a pinnacle of national obedience and spiritual fervor, setting a benchmark for future generations of what true worship and national repentance could achieve.

Practical Application

Josiah's Passover serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of regularly returning to God's Word and obeying its precepts. It teaches us that true spiritual revival often begins with a rediscovery of divine truth and a heartfelt commitment to follow it, even if it means radical change and overturning long-held traditions. This verse challenges believers today to examine their own faithfulness and commitment to God's commands, seeking a level of devotion that honors Him above all else, much like the people of Judah under King Josiah's righteous leadership.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 35:3

    And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; [it shall] not [be] a burden upon [your] shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,

  • 2 Chronicles 35:19

    In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:1

    ¶ 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.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:3

    For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:13

    ¶ And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:20

    And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
← Back