Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 30:18
A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Hezekiah addresses the assembled Israelites during the second Passover celebration following the temple's restoration. He intercedes before the LORD on behalf of the unclean multitude who ate the Passover meal outside the prescribed purification rites.
The words — The Hebrew מַרְבִּית הָעָם (marbit ha-'am) literally renders "the greater part of the people," emphasizing the widespread nature of the violation. The conjunction כִּי (ki) functions here as "for," introducing the rationale for the king's intercession.
The thread — This tension between ritual purity and divine mercy echoes Numbers 9:10, which permits Passover participation for those unclean due to a corpse or on a journey, and anticipates the New Testament emphasis on self-examination over mere ritual compliance in 1 Corinthians 11:28.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that corporate obedience cannot be bypassed by popular practice, while simultaneously requiring leaders to intercede for grace when the people seek God with sincere hearts. It calls readers to prioritize genuine devotion over external conformity without assuming automatic forgiveness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 11:28 Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
- James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
- Numbers 9:10 “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any one of you or your descendants is unclean because of a dead body, or is away on a journey, he may still observe the Passover to the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 6:21 Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.
- Daniel 9:19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name.”
- Genesis 20:7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not restore her, be aware that you will surely die—you and all who belong to you.”
- Exodus 12:43 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: No foreigner is to eat of it.
- Numbers 19:20 But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean.
- 2 Chronicles 30:11 Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 30:25 Then the whole assembly of Judah rejoiced along with the priests and Levites and the whole assembly that had come from Israel, including the foreigners who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah.