And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.

2 CHRONICLES 35:11KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“sprinkled” Hebrew H2236 · used in 33 verses

  • Exodus 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
  • Leviticus 3:13 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of it, and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation: and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about.
  • 2 Kings 16:13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.

“flayed” Hebrew H6584 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
  • 1 Samuel 27:10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
  • Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

“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 30:17 For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.

“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.