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

2 CHRONICLES 35:1KJV
truelightbible.com

2 Chronicles 35:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 35:1 mean?

2 Chronicles 35:1 describes King Josiah organizing and celebrating the Passover festival in Jerusalem, following the tradition of sacrificing the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month, as commanded in the Law of Moses. This verse highlights Josiah’s commitment to restoring proper worship of the LORD among the people of Judah.

The setting is the reign of Josiah, king of Judah, who is known for his religious reforms and efforts to bring the nation back to faithful observance of God’s laws. The verse marks the beginning of a detailed account of a significant Passover celebration, showing Josiah’s dedication to following the instructions given in the Torah. The focus on the exact timing and location emphasizes the importance of doing things according to the original command.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 35:1

  • פֶּסַח (pesach, “passover”): This word refers to the Passover festival and the sacrificial lamb. The use of פֶּסַח here connects Josiah’s actions directly to the foundational event of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, underlining the festival’s deep historical and spiritual meaning.
  • עָשָׂה (asah, “kept” or “did”): This verb often means “to do” or “to make,” but in this context, it stresses Josiah’s active role in carrying out the Passover, not just passively observing it.
  • שָׁחַט (shachat, “killed”): This word means “to slaughter” or “kill,” and it refers specifically to the ritual killing of the Passover lamb, highlighting obedience to the sacrificial requirements.
  • יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yerushalayim, “Jerusalem”): Naming Jerusalem as the location underscores the centralization of worship that Josiah was enforcing, in line with Deuteronomic law.

Why 2 Chronicles 35:1 matters

  • This verse shows Josiah’s commitment to restoring the worship of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) according to the ancient commands, which was a major theme of his reign and reforms.
  • The mention of the specific date and place ties Josiah’s actions to the original instructions in Exodus and Deuteronomy, showing careful attention to detail and faithfulness to tradition.
  • By starting with this Passover, the Chronicler sets up the rest of the chapter to show how this event was a high point of religious life in Judah, contrasting with earlier periods of neglect.