And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance.

2 CHRONICLES 35:7KJV
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2 Chronicles 35:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 35:7 mean?

2 Chronicles 35:7 describes how King Josiah provided a huge number of animals—lambs, kids, and bullocks—from his own resources so that all the people present could celebrate the Passover with the required offerings. This verse highlights Josiah’s generosity and his commitment to making sure everyone could participate in the festival.

King Josiah is the one giving these animals, and he is giving them to the people of Judah who have gathered for the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. The verse shows that Josiah personally supplied thirty thousand from the flock (lambs and kids) and three thousand bullocks, all from his own wealth, so that the Passover could be kept according to the law.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 35:7

  • "gave" (רוּם, rum): This word often means "to lift up" or "to offer." Here, it emphasizes Josiah’s active role in providing for the people, not just passively allowing the celebration.
  • "flock" (צֹאן, tson): This word covers both sheep and goats. The verse’s mention of "lambs" (כֶּבֶשׂ, keves) and "kids" (גְּדִי עֵזִים, gedi ezim) shows that Josiah provided a variety of animals, as required for the Passover.
  • "offerings" (פֶּסַח, pesach): This is the specific word for the Passover sacrifice, reminding the reader that these animals were not just gifts but were meant for a key religious observance.
  • "substance" (רְכוּשׁ, rekush): This word means Josiah’s personal wealth or property, underlining that the king gave from his own possessions, not from public or temple funds.

Why 2 Chronicles 35:7 matters

  • The verse clears up that Josiah’s generosity was personal and intentional, not just a royal duty; he gave from his own resources to make sure everyone could take part.
  • The scale of the numbers—thirty thousand from the flock and three thousand bullocks—shows the importance Josiah placed on the Passover and his desire for widespread participation.
  • This verse connects to the wider chapter, which describes a major Passover celebration, showing Josiah’s efforts to restore proper worship and obedience to the law in Judah.

Where else these words appear

“substance” Hebrew H7399 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
  • Genesis 36:7 For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
  • 2 Chronicles 31:3 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.

“offerings” 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.

“Josiah” Hebrew H2977 · used in 48 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:25 But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.
  • Jeremiah 3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

“kids” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 9:3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
  • Numbers 28:30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you.