2 Chronicles 30:21

¶ And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, [singing] with loud instruments unto the LORD.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} that were present {H4672} at Jerusalem {H3389} kept {H6213} the feast {H2282} of unleavened bread {H4682} seven {H7651} days {H3117} with great {H1419} gladness {H8057}: and the Levites {H3881} and the priests {H3548} praised {H1984} the LORD {H3068} day {H3117} by day {H3117}, singing with loud {H5797} instruments {H3627} unto the LORD {H3068}.

The people of Isra'el there in Yerushalayim observed the festival of Matzot for seven days with great joy; while every day the L'vi'im and cohanim praised ADONAI, singing to ADONAI with the accompaniment of loud instruments.

The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy, and the Levites and priests praised the LORD day after day, accompanied by loud instruments of praise to the LORD.

And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised Jehovah day by day, singing with loud instruments unto Jehovah.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 30:21 vividly portrays a moment of profound spiritual renewal and national celebration in ancient Israel. It describes the joyful observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread during King Hezekiah's reign, highlighting the enthusiasm and dedication of the people, priests, and Levites in their worship of the LORD.

Context

This verse is situated within a larger narrative of spiritual reform initiated by King Hezekiah. After years of neglect and idolatry under previous kings, Hezekiah called for a widespread national Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, inviting not only the people of Judah but also remnants of the northern kingdom of Israel. This was an extraordinary event, as the Passover had not been celebrated in such a manner for a very long time. The "children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem" signifies the significant number of people who responded to Hezekiah's call, demonstrating a hunger for God's presence and a return to proper worship. Their keeping of the Feast of Unleavened Bread for the prescribed seven days underscores their commitment to fulfilling God's commands.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Joyful Obedience: The phrase "with great gladness" is central to this verse. It emphasizes that their observance of God's commands was not a burdensome duty but a heartfelt, joyful celebration. This profound joy stemmed from their renewed relationship with God and the experience of His forgiveness and presence.
  • Restoration of Worship: The active role of "the Levites and the priests" in praising the LORD day by day signifies the successful re-establishment of organized, vibrant temple worship. Their use of "loud instruments" indicates a passionate and uninhibited expression of praise, contrasting sharply with the spiritual lethargy that had long plagued the nation.
  • Sustained Devotion: The commitment to praise "day by day" throughout the seven-day feast highlights the importance of consistent and dedicated devotion to God, not just in isolated moments but as a continuous lifestyle of worship.
  • Unity in Purpose: Though the nation was divided, the gathering of people from various tribes for this feast represented a rare moment of spiritual unity, underscoring God's desire for His people to come together in worship.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's bracketed "[singing]" indicates that while the Hebrew text doesn't explicitly contain the word for "singing" here, it is strongly implied by the context of "praising the LORD" and the use of musical instruments. The phrase "loud instruments" (Hebrew: keli shir) refers to the musical instruments used in the temple service, designed to create a powerful and audible sound, emphasizing the enthusiastic and public nature of their praise.

Related Scriptures

The original institution of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is found in Exodus 12:15 and Leviticus 23:6. The "great gladness" described here echoes similar moments of national rejoicing and spiritual revival, such as the celebration after the return from exile in Nehemiah 8:17. This verse also resonates with the encouragement to serve the LORD with gladness found in the Psalms, underscoring the timeless principle of joyful worship.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 30:21 offers several enduring lessons for believers today. It reminds us that obedience to God's commands should be a source of joy and gladness, not a burden. The passage highlights the importance of corporate worship, where believers gather to praise God together with enthusiasm and sincerity. Furthermore, the "day by day" praise encourages a lifestyle of consistent gratitude and devotion, integrating worship into our daily lives. This historical account serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual restoration and revival are always possible when hearts turn back to God with genuine repentance and joyful obedience.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 12:15 (5 votes)

    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 13:6 (5 votes)

    Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day [shall be] a feast to the LORD.

  • Nehemiah 8:10 (2 votes)

    Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for [this] day [is] holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

  • Leviticus 23:6 (2 votes)

    And on the fifteenth day of the same month [is] the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

  • Luke 22:7 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

  • Acts 2:46 (2 votes)

    And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

  • 2 Chronicles 20:21 (2 votes)

    And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.