2 Kings 23:23

KJV

But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, [wherein] this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.

KJV (with Strong's)

But in the eighteenth {H8083}{H6240} year {H8141} of king {H4428} Josiah {H2977}, wherein this passover {H6453} was holden {H6213} to the LORD {H3068} in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But in the eighteenth year of King Yoshiyahu this Pesach was observed to ADONAI in Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

But in the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, this Passover was observed to the LORD in Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

but in the eighteenth year of king Josiah was this passover kept to Jehovah in Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 23:23 climactically recounts King Josiah's unparalleled Passover celebration in Jerusalem, marking the zenith of his profound religious reforms. This verse underscores the extraordinary nature of this observance, which, according to the biblical record, surpassed any Passover held since the era of the judges and throughout the reigns of all the kings of Israel and Judah. It signifies a profound national return to covenant fidelity, meticulously adhering to the rediscovered Law of God, and stands as a powerful testament to the transformative impact of righteous leadership and sincere obedience to divine commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful culmination of the detailed account of King Josiah's sweeping religious reforms, which were dramatically initiated after the discovery of the Book of the Law (most likely Deuteronomy) during temple renovations in his eighteenth year, as recorded in [2 Kings 22:8](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law"). The preceding narrative meticulously describes Josiah's profound repentance upon hearing the Law, his subsequent renewal of the covenant with the Lord before all the people of Judah and Jerusalem in [2 Kings 23:1-3](/2_kings/23-1-3 "2 Kings 23:1-3 - Josiah Renews the Covenant"), and his systematic, zealous purging of idolatry from the land, extending even into parts of the former northern kingdom of Israel ([2 Kings 23:4-20](/2_kings/23-4-20 "2 Kings 23:4-20 - Josiah's Purge of Idolatry")). The celebration of the Passover, explicitly commanded by Josiah in [2 Kings 23:21-22](/2_kings/23-21-22 "2 Kings 23:21-22 - Command to Keep the Passover"), functions as the spiritual capstone and ultimate expression of these reforms, demonstrating a full, national embrace of Yahweh's commands after generations of deep-seated apostasy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Josiah's reign (640-609 BC) was set against a backdrop of severe idolatry and religious syncretism that had permeated Judah under his grandfather Manasseh and father Amon. These kings had introduced pagan worship practices, including abhorrent child sacrifice, even within the sacred precincts of the Temple in Jerusalem. The geopolitical landscape of the late 7th century BC was also pivotal; the significant decline of the mighty Assyrian Empire, particularly following the death of Ashurbanipal (c. 627 BC) and the eventual fall of its capital Nineveh (612 BC), created a crucial power vacuum. This geopolitical shift provided Judah with a unique window of opportunity for political and religious independence, enabling Josiah not only to purify Judah but also to extend his reforms into the former northern territories of Israel, which had previously been under Assyrian control. The meticulous, centralized observance of the Passover in Jerusalem, as specifically mandated by Deuteronomic law ([Deuteronomy 16:1-8](/deuteronomy/16-1-8 "Deuteronomy 16:1-8 - Laws for Passover")), was a powerful and public statement of Judah's renewed allegiance to Yahweh as its sole God and its decisive rejection of all foreign cults and idolatrous practices.

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major themes central to the book of Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic history. Foremost is the theme of **Religious Revival and Reform**, powerfully illustrating how righteous leadership, deeply spurred by the rediscovery and embrace of the Word of God, can lead to profound and widespread national transformation. It highlights **Obedience to God's Law** as the indispensable foundation for true worship and a right covenant relationship, standing in stark contrast to the pervasive disobedience and apostasy of previous kings. The celebration also underscores **Covenant Renewal**, as the entire nation collectively recommits to the terms of the covenant established at Sinai. Furthermore, the explicit emphasis on Jerusalem reinforces the theme of **Centralized Worship**, a key tenet of Deuteronomic theology that sought to prevent the proliferation of idolatrous high places and consolidate all legitimate worship at the divinely appointed sanctuary. Finally, the Passover itself, rooted in God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt ([Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")), serves as a potent reminder of God's enduring **Faithfulness and Deliverance** to His covenant people, even in the face of their repeated unfaithfulness and rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eighteenth year (Hebrew, _shᵉmôneh ʻâsâr shânâ'_):** This precise chronological marker, combining the Hebrew terms for "eight," "ten," and "year," is profoundly significant. It pinpoints the culmination of Josiah's extensive and transformative reforms, which had been developing throughout his reign (e.g., seeking God in his eighth year, initiating the purge of idolatry in his twelfth year, and commencing temple repair in his eighteenth year, leading to the pivotal discovery of the Law). The "eighteenth year" is not merely a date but signifies the peak of his spiritual efforts, marking the point where the nation's repentance and obedience reached an unprecedented level, culminating in this unique and meticulously observed Passover.
* **Passover (Hebrew, _peçach'_):** Derived from the verb _pāsaḥ_ meaning "to pass over" or "to spare," this term refers to the foundational annual festival commemorating God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It specifically recalls the night when the Lord "passed over" the houses of the Israelites marked with the blood of a lamb, sparing their firstborn during the tenth plague ([Exodus 12:23](/exodus/12-23 "Exodus 12:23 - The Lord Passes Over")). Its observance was a perpetual statute, serving as a powerful and enduring reminder of God's redemptive power and His covenant faithfulness with Israel.
* **Holden (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This versatile primitive root, meaning "to do," "to make," "to observe," or "to perform," emphasizes the active, intentional, and meticulous nature of the Passover celebration. It implies a careful and precise execution of the divine commands regarding the feast, in stark contrast to the casual, neglected, or corrupted observances of previous generations. The phrase "was holden" (passive voice in the KJV) highlights that the Passover was not merely a human initiative but a divinely ordained event, properly observed by the people in obedient response to the Lord's commands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah":** This opening clause firmly situates the event within the precise chronological framework of Josiah's reign, specifically marking it as the culmination of his extensive and profound religious reforms. It underscores that this Passover was not an isolated incident but the capstone of a deliberate and sustained effort to restore pure worship in Judah, initiated by a righteous king.
* **"[wherein] this passover":** The demonstrative "this" emphasizes the extraordinary and unprecedented nature of the Passover celebration. As explicitly stated in the preceding verse ([2 Kings 23:22](/2_kings/23-22 "2 Kings 23:22 - The Uniqueness of Josiah's Passover")), no such Passover had been observed with such faithfulness and scope since the days of the judges, nor throughout the entire monarchical period. This highlights the unique depth of national repentance and the meticulous adherence to the rediscovered Law that characterized Josiah's reign.
* **"was holden to the LORD":** This phrase is profoundly crucial, indicating that the Passover was celebrated specifically "to the LORD," meaning it was directed toward God, in accordance with His commands, and for His exclusive honor. It implies a worship that was pure, legitimate, and accepted by God, free from the syncretism and idolatry that had plagued previous generations. It signifies a genuine return to proper, Yahweh-centric worship, purged of all foreign elements.
* **"in Jerusalem":** The explicit mention of Jerusalem underscores the centrality of worship according to Deuteronomic law, which mandated that all major feasts be celebrated at the "place the Lord your God will choose" ([Deuteronomy 16:2](/deuteronomy/16-2 "Deuteronomy 16:2 - Passover at the Chosen Place")). This detail confirms Josiah's unwavering commitment to eradicating local, often corrupted, high places and consolidating all legitimate worship at the divinely appointed sanctuary in Jerusalem, further demonstrating the thoroughness and theological integrity of his reform.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey the profound significance of Josiah's Passover. **Emphasis** is powerfully evident through the explicit chronological dating ("in the eighteenth year") and the strong, almost hyperbolic declaration in the preceding verse that "surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah" ([2 Kings 23:22](/2_kings/23-22 "2 Kings 23:22 - The Uniqueness of Josiah's Passover")). This repetition and historical comparison serve to underscore the unparalleled nature and historical uniqueness of this event. The Passover also functions as a powerful **Culmination** of the entire reform narrative meticulously detailed in [2 Kings 22-23](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22-23 - Josiah's Reforms"), serving as the ultimate expression of national repentance and covenant renewal. Furthermore, the celebration itself carries rich **Symbolism**, representing not only the historical deliverance from Egypt but also, in this specific context, a spiritual deliverance from generations of idolatry and a renewed, heartfelt commitment to God's covenant. There is an implicit **Contrast** drawn between Josiah's righteous reign and the pervasive apostasy of his predecessors, highlighting the profound and transformative impact of a king who "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father" ([2 Kings 22:2](/2_kings/22-2 "2 Kings 22:2 - Josiah's Righteous Reign")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Josiah's unprecedented Passover stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of covenant, the power of repentance, and the essence of true worship. It demonstrates unequivocally that genuine national revival is possible when a people, led by a righteous ruler, turn wholeheartedly back to the revealed Word of God. The meticulous observance of the Passover, a feast commemorating God's foundational act of deliverance from Egypt, served as a powerful reminder of Yahweh's enduring faithfulness to His covenant, even when His people had strayed far from Him. It underscores the timeless principle that God's covenant promises and commands remain binding, and that national blessing and well-being are intrinsically linked to corporate obedience. This event highlights the transformative power of God's Word, which, once rediscovered and embraced, can dismantle generations of idolatry and re-establish a right relationship with the divine. It is a testament to the enduring call for God's people to worship Him "to the LORD," in spirit and truth, according to His prescribed ways, free from human innovations or foreign corruptions.

* [Exodus 12:1-28](/exodus/12-1-28 "Exodus 12:1-28 - Institution of the Passover")
* [Deuteronomy 16:1-8](/deuteronomy/16-1-8 "Deuteronomy 16:1-8 - Laws for Passover Celebration")
* [2 Chronicles 35:1-19](/2_chronicles/35-1-19 "2 Chronicles 35:1-19 - Josiah's Great Passover in Detail")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Josiah's Passover in 2 Kings 23:23 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers today, emphasizing the vital role of God's Word, the necessity of genuine repentance, and the paramount importance of sincere and obedient worship. Just as the rediscovery of the Book of the Law ignited a nationwide spiritual awakening in Judah, so too does deep and consistent engagement with Scripture remain the primary catalyst for personal and corporate transformation in our lives. This passage challenges us to critically examine the purity and focus of our own devotion, prompting us to ask whether our worship is truly "to the LORD" or if it has been subtly diluted by cultural influences, personal preferences, or superficial practices. It calls us to a radical and uncompromising commitment to obedience, mirroring Josiah's zeal in purging everything that stood contrary to God's revealed will. Ultimately, it reminds us that true spiritual revival, whether individual or communal, begins with a humble return to God's commands and a heartfelt desire to honor Him in every aspect of our lives, recognizing that genuine worship is a response to His grace and a commitment to His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the discovery and obedience to God's Word in Josiah's time challenge our personal and corporate engagement with Scripture today?**
* **In what specific ways might our personal or corporate worship practices need reform to align more fully "to the LORD" as Josiah's Passover did?**
* **What "idols" or distractions in our lives, whether tangible or intangible, might God be calling us to identify and remove, just as Josiah purged the land of pagan worship?**

### FAQ
**Why is Josiah's Passover described as uniquely significant?**

Answer: Josiah's Passover is described as uniquely significant because, as [2 Kings 23:22](/2_kings/23-22 "2 Kings 23:22 - Uniqueness of Josiah's Passover") explicitly states, "surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah." This unparalleled nature stemmed from several crucial factors: it was characterized by comprehensive and meticulous adherence to the Law's commands, which had been neglected for centuries; its nationwide scope involved all of Judah and even parts of the former northern kingdom; and its context as the culmination of a radical purge of widespread idolatry and syncretism that had deeply corrupted the nation's worship under previous kings like Manasseh and Amon. It represented a truly national, heartfelt return to covenant fidelity, driven by the rediscovered Book of the Law.

**What was the role of the "Book of the Law" in this event?**

Answer: The "Book of the Law" (most likely a copy of Deuteronomy) was absolutely central and foundational to Josiah's Passover and his entire reform movement. Its discovery during temple renovations ([2 Kings 22:8](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law")) profoundly convicted Josiah, leading him to tear his clothes in repentance and immediately seek the Lord's will ([2 Kings 22:11-13](/2_kings/22-11-13 "2 Kings 22:11-13 - Josiah's Response to the Law")). The public reading of this Law to all the people ([2 Kings 23:1-2](/2_kings/23-1-2 "2 Kings 23:1-2 - The Law Read to the People")) spurred a nationwide covenant renewal ceremony, where the king and the people committed to obey its commands. The meticulous observance of the Passover, as described in [2 Kings 23:21](/2_kings/23-21 "2 Kings 23:21 - Command to Keep the Passover"), was a direct and obedient response to the specific instructions found within this rediscovered Law, making it the foundational impetus for the entire unprecedented celebration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Josiah's unprecedented Passover, while a glorious and pivotal moment in Israel's history, ultimately serves as a powerful and prophetic shadow pointing to the ultimate deliverance and perfect sacrifice found in Jesus Christ. The Passover lamb, whose innocent blood protected Israel from the angel of death, profoundly foreshadows Jesus, 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 Josiah's Passover brought a temporary cleansing and renewed covenant relationship for Judah, Christ's singular sacrifice on the cross inaugurated a new and eternal covenant, providing ultimate and complete purification from sin and spiritual deliverance from death for all who believe ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The meticulous observance of the Law under Josiah, while commendable and divinely commanded, could not fundamentally change the human heart or provide lasting righteousness; Christ, our true [Passover lamb](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb"), not only perfectly fulfills the Law but also offers the Holy Spirit to write God's law on our hearts, enabling genuine, internal transformation and a new nature ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). The celebration in Jerusalem, the chosen place for Old Testament worship, prefigures the new spiritual worship "in spirit and truth" that Christ enables, which is no longer confined to a physical temple or a specific city, but is accessible to all believers through Him, anywhere and at any time ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Thus, Josiah's Passover, a high point of Old Testament obedience and national deliverance, finds its complete and eternal fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who is the substance of all its prophetic shadows.

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.