So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

2 CHRONICLES 30:5KJV
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2 Chronicles 30:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 30:5 mean?

2 Chronicles 30:5 describes how a formal decision was made to send a message throughout all of Israel, from the southernmost town of Beersheba to the northernmost town of Dan, inviting everyone to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover as God had commanded, something that had not been done properly for a long time. The verse highlights the effort to restore a neglected tradition by calling all Israelites to unite in worship at Jerusalem.

King Hezekiah and his officials are the ones making this decree, and they are reaching out not just to the people of Judah (their own kingdom) but to all the tribes of Israel, even those in the far north. The situation is one of religious renewal, as the Passover had not been observed "in such sort as it was written" for many years, meaning the people had drifted from the way God originally instructed them to keep this festival.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 30:5

  • דָּבָר (davar, "decree"): This word means "word," "matter," or "decree." Here, it emphasizes that this was an official, authoritative decision, not just a suggestion.
  • עָבַר (avar, "proclamation"): This verb means "to pass over" or "to go through." It highlights that the proclamation was sent throughout the land, covering all regions.
  • פֶּסַח (pesach, "passover"): This is the specific festival being restored. The verse underscores that the Passover, central to Israel’s identity, had been neglected.
  • יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yerushalayim, "Jerusalem"): Naming Jerusalem as the gathering place stresses the unity and centrality of worship in one location, as originally intended.

Why 2 Chronicles 30:5 matters

  • The verse shows the seriousness of Hezekiah’s reforms by reaching out to all Israel, not just his own kingdom, demonstrating a desire for national spiritual renewal.
  • It clarifies that the Passover had not been kept "as it was written" for a long time, pointing to a period of spiritual neglect and the need to return to God’s instructions.
  • The mention of Beersheba to Dan signals an invitation to all Israelites, regardless of their location or past divisions, to come together in worship.

Where else these words appear

“Beersheba” Hebrew H884 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
  • Joshua 15:28 And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
  • 1 Kings 19:3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

“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

“Dan” Hebrew H1835 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 2 Samuel 3:10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

“long” Hebrew H7230 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 16:10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
  • Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.