2 Chronicles 30:1

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח

H7971

sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְחִזְקִיָּ֜הוּ

H3169

And Hezekiah

jechizkijah, the name of five israelites

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וִֽיהוּדָ֗ה

H3063

and Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְגַֽם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אִגְּרוֹת֙

H107

letters

an epistle

כָּתַב֙

H3789

and wrote

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

#10

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#11

אֶפְרַ֣יִם

H669

also to Ephraim

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#12

וּמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה

H4519

and Manasseh

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#13

לָב֥וֹא

H935

that they should come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#14

לְבֵית

H1004

to the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#15

לַֽיהוָ֖ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#16

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם

H3389

at Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

#17

לַֽעֲשׂ֣וֹת

H6213

to keep

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#18

פֶּ֔סַח

H6453

the passover

a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)

#19

לַֽיהוָ֖ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#20

אֱלֹהֵ֥י

H430

God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#21

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Chronicles, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by introducing key themes that will be developed throughout 2 Chronicles.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?