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
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מַרְבִּ֣ית
For a multitude
H4768
מַרְבִּ֣ית
For a multitude
Strong's:
H4768
Word #:
2 of 25
a multitude; also offspring; specifically interest (on capital)
הָעָ֡ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֡ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רַ֠בַּת
even many
H7227
רַ֠בַּת
even many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
4 of 25
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
מֵֽאֶפְרַ֨יִם
of Ephraim
H669
מֵֽאֶפְרַ֨יִם
of Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
5 of 25
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה
and Manasseh
H4519
וּמְנַשֶּׁ֜ה
and Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
6 of 25
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּזְבֻלוּן֙
and Zebulun
H2074
וּזְבֻלוּן֙
and Zebulun
Strong's:
H2074
Word #:
8 of 25
zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe
בְּלֹ֣א
had not
H3808
בְּלֹ֣א
had not
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הִטֶּהָ֔רוּ
cleansed
H2891
הִטֶּהָ֔רוּ
cleansed
Strong's:
H2891
Word #:
10 of 25
to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָכְל֥וּ
themselves yet did they eat
H398
אָכְל֥וּ
themselves yet did they eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
12 of 25
to eat (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַפֶּ֖סַח
the passover
H6453
הַפֶּ֖סַח
the passover
Strong's:
H6453
Word #:
14 of 25
a pretermission, i.e., exemption; used only techically of the jewish passover (the festival or the victim)
בְּלֹ֣א
had not
H3808
בְּלֹ֣א
had not
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כַכָּת֑וּב
otherwise than it was written
H3789
כַכָּת֑וּב
otherwise than it was written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
16 of 25
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל
prayed
H6419
הִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל
prayed
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
18 of 25
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
יְחִזְקִיָּ֤הוּ
But Hezekiah
H3169
יְחִזְקִיָּ֤הוּ
But Hezekiah
Strong's:
H3169
Word #:
19 of 25
jechizkijah, the name of five israelites
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֥ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
22 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַטּ֖וֹב
The good
H2896
הַטּ֖וֹב
The good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
23 of 25
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
1 Corinthians 11:28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.2 Chronicles 6:21Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.Daniel 9:19O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.Psalms 25:8Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.Genesis 20:7Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.2 Chronicles 30:25And 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 30:11Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.Numbers 19:20But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.
Historical Context
Hezekiah's Passover (c. 715 BCE) invited Northern Kingdom remnant, many unfamiliar with proper procedures after generations of idolatry. Hezekiah's grace-filled response prioritized sincere worship over technical perfection, modeling pastoral wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you balance upholding biblical standards with extending grace to sincere seekers who don't meet all requirements?
- For whom do you need to intercede, trusting God's goodness to pardon despite their imperfect approach to Him?
Analysis & Commentary
Hezekiah's intercession for Passover participants: '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.' Many celebrated Passover ceremonially unclean, violating Levitical law. Rather than excluding them, Hezekiah interceded. His prayer appeals to God's goodness (hatov YHWH), trusting mercy trumps technical violation. God heard this prayer (30:20), demonstrating that sincere heart-seeking God overcomes ritual imperfection. This anticipates Christ who cleanses inwardly, making external purification secondary, and who intercedes for His people's failures.