2 Chronicles 35:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 35:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 35:11 describes how the people prepared the Passover sacrifice: they killed the Passover lambs, the priests took the blood and sprinkled it, and the Levites skinned the animals. This verse shows the organized teamwork of the priests and Levites during King Josiah’s Passover celebration.

The setting is King Josiah’s great Passover in Jerusalem, where the priests and Levites are carefully following the traditional instructions for the festival. The verse highlights the different roles: the people kill the lambs, the priests handle the blood as required by the law, and the Levites take care of preparing the animals for the meal.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 35:11

• "killed" (שָׁחַט, shachat): This word means to slaughter, especially in a ritual sense. It emphasizes that the animals were killed according to the proper religious procedures.
• "passover" (פֶּסַח, pesach): This is the specific lamb or goat sacrificed for the Passover meal, a central part of the festival remembering the Exodus.
• "sprinkled" (זָרַק, zarak): This word means to scatter or throw, here referring to the priests sprinkling the blood on the altar, a key part of the ritual.
• "flayed" (פָּשַׁט, pashat): This means to skin or remove the hide. The Levites’ role in flaying the animals shows their practical service in preparing the offerings.

Why 2 Chronicles 35:11 matters

• This verse clarifies that the Passover was a coordinated effort involving many people, not just a private family meal.
• It shows how the priests and Levites followed the detailed requirements of the law, reflecting careful obedience during Josiah’s reforms.
• The verse connects to the larger passage by showing the restoration of proper worship practices, highlighting the seriousness and reverence of the occasion.