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 30:1KJV
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2 Chronicles 30:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 30:1 mean?

2 Chronicles 30:1 describes King Hezekiah sending messengers and letters throughout all Israel and Judah, including the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, inviting everyone to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover to the LORD God of Israel. The verse highlights Hezekiah’s effort to gather people from both the northern and southern kingdoms for this important religious festival.

Hezekiah, the king of Judah, is reaching out not just to his own people in Judah but also to Israelites from the northern tribes, even though the kingdom had been divided for many years. The situation is one of national division, yet Hezekiah’s invitation is broad and inclusive, aiming to restore a shared worship at the temple in Jerusalem. The verse sets the stage for a significant attempt at religious unity and renewal.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 30:1

  • חִזְקִיָּהוּ (ḥizqiyyāhū, "Hezekiah"): The name means "Yahweh strengthens," which fits the king’s role here as someone trying to strengthen the nation’s faith and unity.
  • פֶּסַח (pesach, "passover"): This word refers to the central festival remembering Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Hezekiah’s call to keep the Passover shows a desire to return to foundational acts of faith.
  • יִשְׂרָאֵל (yiśrā’ēl, "Israel") and יְהוּדָה (yehūdāh, "Judah"): Mentioning both kingdoms underlines the attempt to bridge the divide and call all descendants of Jacob back to Jerusalem.
  • בֵּית־יְהוָה (bēt-YHWH, "house of the LORD"): This phrase points to the temple in Jerusalem as the central place of worship, emphasizing its importance for all Israel.

Why 2 Chronicles 30:1 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Hezekiah’s reforms were not limited to Judah but reached out to all Israelites, showing a concern for national and spiritual unity.
  • It highlights the significance of the Passover as a unifying event, reminding the people of their shared history and faith.
  • The invitation to Ephraim and Manasseh, tribes from the northern kingdom, shows a remarkable openness and hope for reconciliation, even after years of division and conflict.

Where else these words appear

“letters” Hebrew H107 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 30:6 So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
  • Nehemiah 2:9 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
  • Nehemiah 6:19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

“Hezekiah” Hebrew H3169 · used in 42 verses

  • 2 Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

“passover” Hebrew H6453 · used in 46 verses

  • Exodus 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover.
  • Numbers 28:16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.
  • 2 Chronicles 30:18 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

“Manasseh” Hebrew H4519 · used in 133 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Joshua 17:5 And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;
  • 1 Chronicles 3:13 Ahaz his son, Hezekiah his son, Manasseh his son,