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2 Chronicles 30:25

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And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

And all the congregation {H6951} of Judah {H3063}, with the priests {H3548} and the Levites {H3881}, and all the congregation {H6951} that came out {H935} of Israel {H3478}, and the strangers {H1616} that came out {H935} of the land {H776} of Israel {H3478}, and that dwelt {H3427} in Judah {H3063}, rejoiced {H8055}.

All the people who had assembled from Y'hudah rejoiced, as did the cohanim and L'vi'im, those assembled from Isra'el, and the foreigners who had come from the territory of Isra'el or who lived in Y'hudah.

Then the whole assembly of Judah rejoiced along with the priests and Levites and the whole assembly that had come from Israel, including the foreigners who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah.

And all the assembly of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 30:25 describes the widespread joy and unity experienced during King Hezekiah's extraordinary Passover celebration. It highlights the diverse composition of the worshippers, underscoring the inclusivity of God's covenant and the power of spiritual revival.

Context

This verse is situated within the narrative of King Hezekiah's reign, a period marked by significant spiritual reformation in Judah after generations of idolatry and apostasy. Hezekiah, unlike many of his predecessors, sought to restore the proper worship of the Lord. He initiated a nationwide cleansing of the temple and reinstituted the Passover, even extending an unprecedented invitation to the remnants of the northern kingdom of Israel, who had largely abandoned the Lord and were scattered after the Assyrian captivity. The celebration described in 2 Chronicles 30 was a momentous occasion, symbolizing a desire for national repentance and a return to God's ordinances.

Key Themes

  • Unity and Inclusivity: The verse explicitly lists "the congregation of Judah," "the priests and the Levites," "the congregation that came out of Israel," and "the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah." This remarkable assembly signifies a rare moment of unity between the divided kingdoms and illustrates God's desire for all, including foreigners who had committed to Him, to participate in His worship. It foreshadows a broader inclusion of Gentiles into God's family, as seen in the New Testament (e.g., Ephesians 2:19).
  • Joy in God's Presence: The repeated emphasis on "rejoiced" (also seen in verse 21 and verse 26) underscores the profound gladness that accompanies true repentance, obedience, and communal worship. This was not mere happiness, but a deep, spiritual joy stemming from God's favor and the restoration of proper worship.
  • Spiritual Revival: Hezekiah's efforts led to a genuine spiritual awakening. The widespread participation and the fervent rejoicing demonstrate the transformative power of turning back to God's commands and seeking His face. This revival brought both spiritual and physical blessings, as seen in the subsequent chapters.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rejoiced" is samach (שָׂמַח), which conveys a deep, heartfelt gladness, often associated with festive celebrations, divine blessing, and a sense of well-being. It's more than superficial happiness; it's a profound joy that comes from a right relationship with God and participation in His redemptive plan. The collective nature of this rejoicing highlights a shared spiritual experience.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Importance of Inclusivity: God's desire is for all people, regardless of background or past, to come and worship Him. The church should be a place where all are welcomed into God's presence through Christ.
  • The Source of True Joy: Genuine and lasting joy comes from drawing near to God, obeying His commands, and participating in communal worship. When we align our lives with His will, we experience profound gladness.
  • The Power of Revival: Like Hezekiah's Passover, periods of spiritual renewal can bring about widespread transformation and rekindle fervent devotion to God. It encourages believers to seek personal and corporate revival.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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 30:11 (5 votes)

    Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:18 (4 votes)

    For a multitude of the people, [even] many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

  • Psalms 104:34 (2 votes)

    My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:10 (2 votes)

    Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

  • 1 Chronicles 16:11 (2 votes)

    Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

  • Psalms 92:4 (2 votes)

    For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

  • Exodus 12:43 (2 votes)

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This [is] the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: