What does 2 Chronicles 30:3 mean?
"For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem." - 2 Chronicles 30:3
2 Chronicles 30:3 - "For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 30:3 (KJV) states, "For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem."
This verse comes from the Old Testament, specifically from the book of 2 Chronicles. This book is a historical account that follows the reigns of various kings of Judah, the southern kingdom of the Israelites. The verse takes place during the reign of King Hezekiah, who reigned in Judah from approximately 715 to 686 BC. Hezekiah was known for his efforts to bring about religious reform in Judah, and this verse is part of the story of his attempt to reinstate the Passover festival in Jerusalem.
The verse itself is part of a larger narrative that runs from 2 Chronicles 30:1-12. In this narrative, Hezekiah sends messengers throughout Judah and even into the northern kingdom of Israel, inviting the people to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. However, the verse in question explains that the Passover could not be held at the traditional time because the priests and the people were not properly prepared. The priests had not sanctified themselves, meaning they had not undergone the necessary rituals to make themselves ritually pure, and the people had not gathered together in Jerusalem as they were supposed to.
This verse touches on several important themes that run throughout the Old Testament. One of the primary themes is the importance of ritual purity and adherence to religious laws. In ancient Israelite society, maintaining ritual purity was crucial for worshiping God and participating in religious ceremonies such as the Passover. The fact that the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently highlights the significance of these rituals in the eyes of the ancient Israelites.
Another theme in this verse is the idea of communal worship and the importance of gathering together as a community to worship and celebrate religious festivals. The fact that the Passover could not be held because the people had not gathered themselves together in Jerusalem reflects the belief that communal worship and participation in religious activities were essential for the practice of faith.
The historical context of this verse is also important for understanding its significance. At the time of Hezekiah, the kingdom of Judah was facing significant challenges, both internally and externally. Assyria, a powerful empire, was a constant threat to the smaller kingdoms of the region, and the northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyrian forces. Hezekiah's efforts to reform the religious practices of Judah can be seen as part of his larger strategy to unify and strengthen the kingdom in the face of these threats.
In addition to its historical and thematic significance, this verse also contains some symbolism. The inability to hold the Passover at the traditional time because of the lack of preparation serves as a metaphor for the spiritual state of the people of Judah at that time. The fact that the religious leaders and the people were not properly prepared for the Passover could be seen as a reflection of their overall spiritual unpreparedness and the need for religious reform.
In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 30:3 is a verse that is part of a larger narrative about King Hezekiah's efforts to reinstate the Passover in Judah. It touches on themes of ritual purity, communal worship, and the historical context of the kingdom of Judah at the time. It also contains symbolism that reflects the spiritual state of the people. Overall, this verse is a significant part of the Old Testament narrative and offers valuable insights into the religious and historical context of ancient Israelite society.
2 Chronicles 30:3 Artwork
2 Chronicles 30:3 - "For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem."
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 30:11 - "Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem."
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 20:30 - "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about."
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."
1 Chronicles 4:30 - "And at Bethuel, and at Hormah, and at Ziklag,"
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 30:13 - "¶ And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation."
2 Chronicles 8:3 - "And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah, and prevailed against it."
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 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 30:16 - "And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites."
1 Chronicles 1:30 - "Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,"
2 Chronicles 3:2 - "And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign."
2 Chronicles 30:27 - "¶ Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven."
2 Chronicles 30:15 - "Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD."
1 Chronicles 9:30 - "And some of the sons of the priests made the ointment of the spices."
1 Chronicles 11:30 - "Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,"
2 Chronicles 3:6 - "And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim."
2 Chronicles 30:25 - "And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced."
2 Chronicles 30:10 - "So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them."
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."
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 24:3 - "And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters."
2 Chronicles 3:9 - "And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold."