2 Chronicles 30

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language and is divided into 27 verses.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Leningradensis (1008).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=36-37}}{{efn|Since 1947 the current text of Aleppo Codex is missing 2 Chronicles 26:19–35:7.{{citation | author=P. W. Skehan | contribution=BIBLE (TEXTS) | title=New Catholic Encyclopedia | edition=2nd | volume=2 | publisher=Gale | year=2003 | pages=355–362}}}}

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^B; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^A; 5th century).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=73-74}}{{efn|The whole book of 2 Chronicles is missing from the extant Codex Sinaiticus.{{Cite book |last=Würthwein |first=Ernst |title=Der Text des Alten Testaments |publisher=Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft |edition=2nd |place=Stuttgart |year=1988 |url= |page=85 |isbn= 3-438-06006-X}}{{Cite book |last=Swete |first=Henry Barclay |authorlink= Henry Barclay Swete |title= An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek |publisher= Macmillan and Co. |location=Cambridge |year=1902 |url= https://archive.org/stream/anintrotooldtes00swetuoft#page/128/mode/2up |pages= 129–130}}{{Catholic Encyclopedia|wstitle= Codex Sinaiticus}}}}

This section of the chapter records the preparations for the Passover feast. Hezekiah took all the significant measures to establish the Passover feast in the first year of his reign, because at that time the northern kingdom had already fallen, so Hezekiah had to quickly make a final attempt to restore the unity of the YHWH worship in all area of the former united kingdom of Israel.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=302}} In line with the Chronicler's 'democratic convictions', the king, the princes and the people made a collective decision to celebrate Passover (verses 1–7), and to have a good preparation for such a feast (verse 3), they made a decision to delay it until the second month, which had happened before (Numbers 9:6–13).{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=302}}{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=658 Hebrew Bible}} Following this decision Hezekiah sent messengers to all parts the country and particularly to the northern kingdom, reciting a message (using a play on words): "return to YHWH, he will return to you". The demise of the northern kingdom (unreported in the Chronicles) may have caused various reactions to the invitation: most (remaining) inhabitants of the northern kingdom reacted with 'derision and scorn', although some accepted by 'humbling themselves', whereas in the sovereign southern kingdom the Judeans reacted with 'one heart' (verse 12), which is attributed by the Chronicler to stem from God's actions (cf. 1 Chronicles 29).{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=302}}

:And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel.{{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|30:1|KJV}} KJV

• "Sent to all Israel and Judah": that is, sent "messengers" or "runners".Exell, Joseph S.; Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice (Editors). [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/30.htm On "2 Chronicles 30".] In: The Pulpit Commentary. 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2019.
• "Wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh": the two chief tribes of the northern kingdom, representing the northern ten tribes, to emphasize that Hezekiah invited all Israel and Judah (cf. verse 5).Keil, Carl Friedrich; Delitzsch, Franz. [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/kad/2_chronicles/30.htm Commentary on the Old Testament (1857-1878). 2 Chronicles 30]. Accessed 24 Juni 2018.

{{see also|Hezekiah#Restoration of the Temple}}

This section reports the celebration of Passover and contains the first description of a complete pilgrimage in the Hebrew Bible.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=302}} Once the temple was cleansed (chapter 29), Jerusalem was also liberated from all foreign influence, so only legitimate worship for YHWH took place.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=302}} The national celebration of the Passover recalls the 'heady days of the United Monarchy'.{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=658 Hebrew Bible}} Many participants (especially from the northern tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun), the officials, the priests and the Levites had not properly cleansed themselves, but they were trying hard to show their change of heart, and that is what seems most important, so Hezekiah called upon YHWH to pardon those people and YHWH granted the petition (verse 20). According to the law, any person making the sacrifice should be responsible for its slaughter, but since many of them had not been cleansed properly, the Levites assumed this role (verse 16).{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=302}} The important character of the feast (typical in the Chronicles) is the voluntary action with a great sense of unity (involving priests, Levites, and laymen), joy, and generosity prevalent amongst the king and the notables, and many animals are sacrificed. The Chronicler notes that such scenes had not happened since the days of Solomon, referring not just to the celebration alone, but also to an impression of possible reunification since the kingdom fell apart after Solomon's death.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=302}}

:And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.{{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|30:21|KJV}} KJV

• "With loud instruments unto the Lord" or "with instruments of strength to Jehovah" to accompany the psalms of praise, which glorify the strength of the God of Israel, such as Psalm 29:1: "Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye sons of God, ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength."Ellicott, C. J. (Ed.) (1905). [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/2_chronicles/30.htm Ellicott's Bible Commentary for English Readers. 2 Chronicles 30.] London : Cassell and Company, Limited, [1905-1906] Online version: (OCoLC) 929526708. Accessed 28 April 2019.

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• Aaron
• Beersheba
• Dan
• David
• Jeduthun
• Jerusalem
• Kidron Valley
• Kohen
• Levites
• Moses
• Passover
• Tribe of Asher
• Tribe of Ephraim
• Tribe of Issachar
• Tribe of Manasseh
• Tribe of Zebulun
• Solomon}}
• Related Bible parts: Exodus 12, Leviticus 17, Numbers 9, 2 Kings 18, 2 Chronicles 28, 2 Chronicles 29

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book | last= Ackroyd | first= Peter R |chapter = Chronicles, Books of

|editor1-last = Metzger |editor1-first = Bruce M

|editor1-link = Bruce M. Metzger

|editor2-last = Coogan |editor2-first = Michael D |title = The Oxford Companion to the Bible

|publisher = Oxford University Press |year = 1993 |isbn = 978-0195046458 | pages= 113–116}}

• {{Cite book | last= Bennett | first= William|title = The Expositor's Bible: The Books of Chronicles|publisher = Litres|year = 2018 |isbn = 978-5040825196 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZo3DwAAQBAJ }}
• {{cite book|last= Coogan|first = Michael David| authorlink= Michael D. Coogan |title = The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 |editor-last1=Coogan |editor-first1=Michael David |editor-first2=Marc Zvi |editor-last2= Brettler |editor-first3=Carol Ann |editor-last3= Newsom |editor-first4= Pheme |editor-last4= Perkins |edition= Augmented 3rd |publisher = Oxford University Press |year =2007 |isbn = 9780195288810 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HmpMPgAACAAJ}}
• {{cite book|last= Mabie | first= Frederick | chapter = I. The Chronicler's Genealogical Survey of All Israel | title= 1 and 2 Chronicles |series = The Expositor's Bible Commentary | editor-first1= Tremper | editor-last1=Longman III | editor1-link = | editor-first2=David E | editor-last2= Garland | publisher = Zondervan | date = 2017 | pages = 267–308 | isbn = 978-0310531814 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=E8ESDgAAQBAJ | access-date=December 6, 2019}}
• {{cite book|last= Mathys | first= H. P. | chapter = 14. 1 and 2 Chronicles | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John | editor-last1=Barton |editor1-link = John Barton (theologian) | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman |editor2-link = John Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | date = 2007 | pages = 267–308 | isbn = 978-0199277186 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ| access-date=February 6, 2019}}
• {{cite book | last = Würthwein | first = Ernst | author-link = Ernst Würthwein | title = The Text of the Old Testament | publisher = William B. Eerdmans |location = Grand Rapids, MI | year= 1995 | translator-first1 = Erroll F.| translator-last1 = Rhodes |isbn = 0-8028-0788-7 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC | access-date= January 26, 2019}}

• Jewish translations:
• [https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16579 Divrei Hayamim II - II Chronicles - Chapter 30 (Judaica Press)] in Hebrew and English translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org
• Christian translations:
• [http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=2+Chronicles+30 Online Bible at GospelHall.org] (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
• [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=14&chapter=30&version=9 2 Chronicles Chapter 30. Bible Gateway]

{{Second Book of Chronicles}}

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