And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.

2 CHRONICLES 35:8KJV
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2 Chronicles 35:8 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 35:8 mean?

2 Chronicles 35:8 describes how the leaders and officials of Judah, including Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel—who were in charge of the temple—gave generous offerings of animals to the priests for the Passover celebration. These gifts included 2,600 small animals (such as lambs or goats) and 300 oxen, ensuring there were enough sacrifices for the festival.

This verse is set during King Josiah’s great Passover in Jerusalem, where the leaders are supporting the priests and Levites so the people can properly observe the feast. The verse highlights the willingness and generosity of those in authority, showing their commitment to making the Passover a success for everyone involved.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 35:8

  • "gave willingly" (נְדָבָה, nedavah): This word means a freewill or voluntary offering, emphasizing that the leaders were not forced but chose to give generously out of their own desire.
  • "rulers" (נָשִׂיא, nasi): This term refers to high-ranking officials or leaders, underlining that those with authority took the initiative to provide for the religious needs of the community.
  • "offerings" (פֶּסַח, pesach): This is the Hebrew word for the Passover sacrifice, reminding the reader that these animals were specifically for the central ritual of the festival.

Why 2 Chronicles 35:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Passover celebration under Josiah was a community effort, not just a royal or priestly event, with leaders actively supporting the people’s worship.
  • The mention of specific numbers and types of animals shows the scale and seriousness of the preparations, highlighting the importance placed on observing Passover correctly.
  • By naming the leaders and their roles, the verse connects the practical organization of worship to real people, showing how spiritual renewal involved both leadership and generosity.