Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.

2 CHRONICLES 30:15KJV
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2 Chronicles 30:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 30:15 mean?

2 Chronicles 30:15 describes how the people killed the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month, and how the priests and Levites, feeling ashamed, purified themselves and brought burnt offerings into the temple. This verse shows a moment of renewed religious dedication during a special Passover celebration.

The setting is the reign of King Hezekiah, who called for a late Passover because many people were not ready at the usual time. The priests and Levites, who were responsible for temple worship, had not properly prepared themselves, but seeing the people's actions, they felt ashamed and made themselves ritually clean to serve in the temple. This verse highlights a turning point where the leaders respond to the people's faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 30:15

  • "ashamed" (בּוּשׁ, bosh): This word means to feel shame or embarrassment. Here, it shows that the priests and Levites recognized their failure to be ready and were moved to change.
  • "sanctified" (קָדַשׁ, qadash): This means to make oneself holy or set apart for God. The priests and Levites took steps to become ritually clean so they could perform their duties.
  • "passover" (פֶּסַח, pesach): This is the special sacrifice and meal remembering Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Celebrating it in the second month was unusual, allowed only in special cases (see Numbers 9:10-11), showing flexibility for the sake of worship.

Why 2 Chronicles 30:15 matters

  • This verse clears up that the Passover was not always celebrated in the first month; there was a provision for a second-month observance when needed, showing God's understanding and mercy.
  • The verse highlights the humility of the religious leaders, who were moved by the people's faith and corrected their own neglect.
  • It connects to the wider story of Hezekiah's reforms, showing how genuine worship can inspire even leaders to renew their dedication.

Where else these words appear

“ashamed” Hebrew H3637 · used in 38 verses

  • Numbers 12:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
  • Psalms 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
  • Isaiah 54:4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

“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

“killed” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
  • 2 Kings 10:7 And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.