2 Chronicles 35:1

¶ Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the first month.

Moreover Josiah {H2977} kept {H6213} a passover {H6453} unto the LORD {H3068} in Jerusalem {H3389}: and they killed {H7819} the passover {H6453} on the fourteenth {H702}{H6240} day of the first {H7223} month {H2320}.

Yoshiyahu kept Pesach to ADONAI in Yerushalayim. They slaughtered the Pesach lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Then Josiah celebrated the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month.

And Josiah kept a passover unto Jehovah in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 35:1 presents a pivotal moment in the spiritual history of Judah, detailing King Josiah’s fervent dedication to restoring true worship by observing the Passover feast with unprecedented zeal. The King James Version states: "Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the first month." This verse highlights Josiah's obedience to God's Law and his commitment to national spiritual renewal.

Context

King Josiah’s reign (640-609 BC) is celebrated as one of Judah's most righteous periods after generations of idolatry and moral decline under kings like Manasseh and Amon. Josiah began seeking God at a young age, embarking on extensive reforms against idolatry throughout Judah and Israel. A major catalyst for this grand Passover celebration was the discovery of the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) during the repair of the Temple. This discovery ignited profound repentance in Josiah, leading him to renew the covenant with God and command the entire nation to follow suit. This Passover, meticulously observed on the "fourteenth day of the first month," was a direct fulfillment of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing a return to ancient, divine mandates.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Revival and Restoration: Josiah's actions represent a profound spiritual awakening for a nation that had strayed far from God. This Passover was a symbol of their corporate turning back to the Lord.
  • Obedience to God's Word: The explicit mention of the "fourteenth day of the first month" underscores the meticulous adherence to the divine instructions for the original Passover observance in Exodus. It highlights the importance of following God's commands precisely.
  • Centrality of Worship in Jerusalem: By keeping the Passover in Jerusalem, Josiah affirmed the city's role as the divinely appointed center for Israelite worship, as prescribed in Deuteronomy.
  • National Covenant Renewal: This was not merely a private act of devotion but a public, national commitment to God, signifying a renewed covenant between the LORD and His people.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Passover" is translated from the Hebrew word Pesach (  נסחהי), which refers to the annual feast commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, specifically His "passing over" the homes of the Israelites marked with lamb's blood. The word "kept" in this context is from the Hebrew 'asah (עשה), meaning "to do," "to make," or "to observe." This emphasizes the active, intentional, and public execution of the Passover rituals, not merely a passive remembrance.

Practical Application

Josiah's Passover offers timeless lessons for believers today. It underscores the vital importance of:

  • Returning to God's Word: Just as the discovery of the Law transformed Judah, regular engagement with and obedience to Scripture is crucial for personal and communal spiritual vitality.
  • Wholehearted Worship: Josiah's fervent and meticulous observance calls us to worship God with sincerity and dedication, according to His revealed will.
  • The Power of Repentance: The national repentance led by Josiah demonstrates that turning away from sin and back to God brings renewal and blessing. This theme is echoed in the promise of healing for a repentant people.
  • Remembering God's Deliverance: As the Passover recalled God's mighty act of salvation, Christians are called to remember and celebrate Christ, our ultimate Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice delivers us from sin and death.
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual revival often begins with a renewed commitment to God's commands and a desire to worship Him authentically.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 12:6 (5 votes)

    And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

  • Numbers 9:3 (4 votes)

    In the fourteenth day of this month, at even, ye shall keep it in his appointed season: according to all the rites of it, and according to all the ceremonies thereof, shall ye keep it.

  • Ezra 6:19 (3 votes)

    And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth [day] of the first month.

  • 2 Kings 23:21 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Kings 23:23 (3 votes)

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

  • Deuteronomy 16:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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].