What does 2 Chronicles 30:18 mean?
"For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one" - 2 Chronicles 30:18
The Bible verse 2 Chronicles 30:18 in the King James Version (KJV) states, "For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one."
This verse comes from the book of 2 Chronicles, which is a historical narrative of the kings of Judah. The context of this particular verse is during the reign of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah was a righteous king who sought to bring the people of Judah back to the worship of the Lord. One of his first acts as king was to reinstate the celebration of the Passover, a significant religious festival for the Israelites.
In this verse, we find that not all of the people who gathered for the Passover had properly prepared themselves by purifying themselves as prescribed by the Law of Moses. This is a serious offense, as the Passover was a holy and solemn occasion, and the participants were required to be ceremonially clean. However, instead of being excluded from the celebration, Hezekiah intercedes on their behalf, asking the Lord to pardon them for their transgression.
The themes present in this passage include forgiveness, intercession, and the importance of religious observance. Despite the people's failure to properly prepare themselves for the Passover, Hezekiah exhibits compassion and demonstrates faith in the Lord's mercy. He stands as an intercessor, appealing to God on behalf of the people, and his prayer for their pardon illustrates the principle of forgiveness and the power of mediation.
The context of this verse within the larger narrative of 2 Chronicles highlights the religious reforms instituted by King Hezekiah. He sought to cleanse the land of Judah from idolatry and restore the worship of the one true God. By reinstating the observance of the Passover and making provisions for those who had neglected to properly prepare themselves, Hezekiah emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the significance of corporate worship.
Symbolically, this verse showcases the foreshadowing of Jesus Christ as the ultimate intercessor and mediator between God and humanity. Just as Hezekiah prayed for the pardon of the unclean participants at the Passover, Jesus Christ intercedes on behalf of believers before the Father, securing forgiveness and mercy for those who have fallen short of God's standards. Hezekiah's compassionate plea for the people's pardon echoes the redemptive work of Jesus, who offers grace and forgiveness to all who come to Him in repentance.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 30:18 in the King James Version illuminates the themes of forgiveness, intercession, and the significance of religious observance. It provides a powerful illustration of King Hezekiah's compassion and faith in God's mercy, as well as pointing to the ultimate intercession and mediation of Jesus Christ. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's forgiveness and the role of intercessors in appealing to His grace and mercy.
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2 Chronicles 30:18 Artwork
2 Chronicles 30:18 - "For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one"
2 Chronicles 30:18-20 - "For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it is written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon everyone That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people."
"For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one" - 2 Chronicles 30:18
"For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it is written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon everyone That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people." - 2 Chronicles 30:18-20
2 Chronicles 18:30 - "Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel."
2 Chronicles 30:10
2 Chronicles 30:4 - "And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation."
2 Chronicles 30:20 - "And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people."
2 Chronicles 9:30 - "And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years."
1 Chronicles 2:30 - "And the sons of Nadab; Seled, and Appaim: but Seled died without children."
2 Chronicles 30:2 - "For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month."
2 Chronicles 18:9
2 Chronicles 18:9
2 Chronicles 20:18
2 Chronicles 30:11 - "Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 20:30 - "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about."
2 Chronicles 30:23 - "And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness."
2 Chronicles 30:26 - "So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 30:13 - "¶ And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation."
"Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel." - 2 Chronicles 18:30
"And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people." - 2 Chronicles 30:20
"And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation." - 2 Chronicles 30:4
2 Samuel 18:30 - "And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still."
2 Chronicles 30:12 - "Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD."
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Chronicles 30:14 - "And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron."
2 Chronicles 30:19 - "That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary."
2 Chronicles 21:18 - "¶ And after all this the LORD smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease."
2 Chronicles 18:1 - "Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab."
1 Chronicles 18:2 - "And he smote Moab; and the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts."