2 Crônicas 30
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 30
NJB (LXX versing) All Israel Invited to the Passover Hezekiah Keeps the Passover Hezekiah's Great Passover Festival Preparations for Passover Preparations for Passover 30:1-9 30:1-9 30:1-9 30:1-6a 30:1-9 30:6b-9 30:10-12 30:10-12 30:10-12 30:10-12 30:10-12 Passover Reinstituted Passover Is Celebrated The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread 30:13-22 30:13-20 30:13-22 30:13-22a 30:13-20 30:21-22 A Second Celebration 30:21-22a 30:22b-27 30:22b-27 30:23-27 30:23-27 30:23-27 Etc.
2 Crônicas 30:1-12
30:1 "all Israel and Judah. . .also to Ephraim and Manasseh" This is an unusual combination of geographical entities. "All Israel" may be another way for the Chronicler to affirm Judah's legitimacy. Sometimes the northern tribes went by the name "Ephraim," which was their largest tribe. However, the addition of Manasseh is unusual. The best guess for this invitation to the northern tribes was just after the death of Sargon II when Assyria's leadership was in turmoil. "the Passover" The Chronicler records another Passover under Josiah in 2 Chr. 35:1-19. There is no parallel in Kings to Hezekiah's Passover. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PASSOVER 30:2 "the king and his princes and all the assembly" These represent the different levels in a monarchy of the king his princes (BDB 978), which denotes officials (i.e., 1 Kgs. 4:1-6) government ‒ Gen. 12:15; Num. 22:8; 1 Kgs. 4:2; 1 Chr. 22:17; 2 Chr. 30:6; Isa. 10:8; 31:9; 34:12; Ezra 8:20 military ‒ Gen. 21:22,32; 26:26; 1 Sam. 12:9; Isa. 21:5 priests ‒ 1 Chr. 15:16,22; 2 Chr. 35:9; 36:14; Ezra 8:24,29; 10:5 tribal elders ‒ 1 Chr. 27:29; 29:6; 2 Chr. 24:13; Ezra 11:1 "in the second month" The Passover was to be the first month (i.e., Abib, Num. 9:1-14; Deut. 16:1) but because there were not enough consecrated priests (cf. 2 Chr. 30:3) it had to be postponed. The NASB Study Bible, p. 621, has an interesting note. "After the division of the kingdom, Jereboam deferred the sacral calendar of the northern kingdom by one month (1 Kin 12:32), possibly to further wean the subjects in the north away from devotion to Jerusalem. By delaying the celebration of Passover one month, Hezekiah not only allows time for the priests to consecrate themselves (v. 3) and for the people to gather (vv. 3,13), but also achieves unity between the kingdoms on the date of the Passover for the first time since the schism more than two centuries earlier. Delaying the date reflects Hezekiah's concern to involve "all Israel." For the first time since Solomon the entire nation observes Passover together, reflecting the Chronicler's view that Hezekiah is a "second Solomon." Passover was prescribed for the 14 th day of the first month (Ex 12:2,6; Deut. 16:1-8), but could not be celebrated at that time due to the defilement of the temple and the purification rites under way (29:3,17). For celebration of Passover by the restored community shortly after the dedication of the rebuilt temple see Ezra 6:16-22." 30:3 This refers to 2 Chr. 20:34. 30:4 Several times in Chronicles the kings' decisions are said to be in agreement with the wishes of their people. Some commentators call this "the democratizing element" in the post-exilic period. 30:5 "from Beersheba even to Dan" These two cities, one in the south and one in the north, became an idiom for the whole land of Canaan. "as it was prescribed" This is literally "written" (BDB 507, KB 503, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE), which refers to the Mosaic guidelines. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PASSOVER 30:6 "sons of Israel" This would denote all the descendants of Jacob. It was a literary device to recall the united monarchy. "return" This VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427) is found in two forms. Qal IMPERATIVE (a call to the covenant people) Qal JUSSIVE (a plea to the covenant God; notice the reciprocal aspect of 2 Chr. 6:24-25,38-39; 2 Chr. 30:9) This is one of the main words used for repentance. SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT "the Lord God of Abraham Isaac and Israel" This is the full title of Israel's God. Originally it was "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" (cf. Exod. 3:6,15; 4:5; 6:3), but here "Israel" instead of "Jacob" (cf. 1 Chr. 29:18). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. and D. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS 30:6-9 Hezekiah acknowledges the waywardness and stubbornness of Abraham's descendants. They were unfaithful and disobedient but if they would repent and seek YHWH, He would be found. There are other corporate confessions like this one. Moses ‒ Exod. 32:9-14,30-33; Num. 11:13-19; Deut. 9:25-29 Ezra ‒ Ezra 9:5-10:1 Nehemiah ‒ Neh. 1:5-11 Daniel ‒ Dan. 9:4-19 This prayer of confession includes several commands directed at the current generation of covenant people. return to the Lord God, v. 6 ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERATIVE, PLURAL do not be like your fathers and your brothers, v. 7 ‒ BDB 224, KB 243, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, PLURAL do not stiffen your neck like your fathers, v. 8 ‒ BDB 904, KB 1151, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, PLURAL yield to the Lord, v. 8 ‒ BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERATIVE, PLURAL enter His sanctuary, v. 8 ‒ BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERATIVE, PLURAL serve the Lord your God, v. 8 ‒ BDB 712, KB 773, Qal IMPERATIVE, PLURAL Two of the command forms are prayer requests to God. that He may return to you, v. 6 ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal JUSSIVE, SINGULAR that His burning anger may turn away from you, v. 8 ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal JUSSIVE, SINGULAR "those of you who escaped and are left from the hand of the kings of Assyria" This refers to the destruction of the Syro-Ephraimitic league. Hezekiah's father, Ahaz, appealed to Assyria for help (i.e., Isaiah 7). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT, THREE SENSES 30:7 This is an allusion to the consequences of disobedience (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). It is often referred to as "the two ways" (cf. Deuteronomy 30, esp. vv. 15,19; Psalm 1). SPECIAL TOPIC: CONSEQUENCES OF IDOLATRY "so that He made them a horror" See full note at 2 Chr. 29:8. 30:8 "do not stiffen your neck like your fathers" See full note at 2 Chr. 29:6-7. NASB, NKJV, NRSV "yield" "obey" NJB, JPSOA, REB "submit" "give glory" —omit— Knox (from Vulgate) "surrender" The MT has the IMPERATIVE "give" (BDB 678, KB 733, Qal), which has a wide semantic range. It is the opposite of being "stiff necked." Literally it is "give your hand" (BDB 388, KB 386). This could mean in prayer in a pledge/oath imagery for giving your obedience SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND "enter His sanctuary" The MT has "came to His sanctuary." The Passover was one of three annual feast days that all male Israelites were required to attend at the temple. The noun "sanctuary" appears as a NOUN (BDB 874) and a VERB ( BDB 872, KB 1073, i.e., "sanctify" or "consecrate," Hiphil PERFECT). "forever" Remember the tension between the promises of God that never fail and the conditional covenant (i.e., the two ways) of the OT (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; 30; Psalm 1). On one level God's will and sovereignty are unchangeable but on another level (i.e., individual, family, nation), God has allowed His highest creation (i.e., humans) to resist His will. This resistance is accompanied by terrible, temporal, and eternal consequences! Notice the "if" of 2 Chr. 30:9. This "if. . .then" literary model reflects the conditional covenant. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam) "His burning anger" This is anthropomorphic language. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN 30:9 "your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive" This terminology and theology reflects Solomon's great dedicatory prayer to YHWH in 1 Kings 8 (esp. 8:50). The Chronicler knew 1 Kings wanted Israel and Judah unified as in David and Solomon's day (cf. v. 26) promised a return from captivity affirmed the character of YHWH (cf. Exod. 34:6) affirmed the effectiveness of repentance (cf. 2 Chr. 7:14) "For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate" The unchanging character of Israel's God is fallen mankind's only hope! SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) "will not turn His face away from you" This VERB (BDB 996, KB 1427) is one of two VERBS used for "repentance." Believers turn from sin and turn to God! As we turn, He turns. This is not to say that the Spirit is not involved (i.e., John 6:44,65), but it is to assert the biblical mandate of a human response! SPECIAL TOPIC: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO "RECEIVE," "BELIEVE," "CONFESS/PROFESS," AND "CALL UPON"? 30:10-12 Apparently the "all Israel" of 2 Chr. 30:1 was limited. Hezekiah's offer was ridiculed and rejected by many in the northern kingdom. Idolatry over many generatioins had taken a foothold! laughed scorned mocked Josephus, Antiq. 9.13.2., goes beyond even this and says they killed the prophets who brought them the same message. Thank God there were some who humbled themselves (cf. v. 18; Lev. 26:40-43; 2 Chr. 7:14). Was this an aspect of "the hand of God" (v. 12) or was it a human choice? Yes, both. SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE
2 Crônicas 30:13-22
30:13 "a very large assembly" This refers to 2 Chr. 30:5 (i.e., "as it was prescribed"). 30:14 "They arose and removed the altars" These were the Ba'al altars set up by Ahaz (cf. 2 Chr. 28:24). This was the terrible influence of "the house of Ahab" (i.e., the idolatry of the northern kingdom). This cleansing was an extension of Hezekiah's actions in 2 Chr. 29:16 or the local people had restored these pagan altars, as they had so many times in the past (cf. 1 Kgs. 13:32-33; 14:22-24; 15:14; 22:43; 2 Chr. 14:3; 15:16-17; 17:6; 20:33; 21:11). Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Josiah tried to remove this pagan influence but the people rebuilt them (i.e., 2 Chr. 33:17,19). SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE 30:15 "the priests and Levites were ashamed of themselves" It is not stated if their shame (BDB 483, KB 480, Niphal PERFECT) was related to their own idolatrous actions with the high places their inaction of not crying out against them "consecrated themselves" See note at 2 Chr. 29:5. 30:16 "according to the law of Moses the man of God" This refers to the guidelines of the Pentateuch (cf. 2 Chr. 30:5, "as it was prescribed"). The title, "Moses the man of God," is used often to denote his special relationship to YHWH as leader and revealer (cf. Deut. 33:1; Josh. 14:6; 1 Sam. 2:27; 9:6-7; 1 Kgs. 9:6; 12:22; 13:1,20; 2 Kgs. 1:9-13; 5:8; 23:17; 2 Chr. 30:16; Ezra 3:2; Jer. 35:4). The phrase is also used of Elijah, Elisha, Samuel, David, Shemiah, Hanani, and an unnamed person in 1 Sam. 2:27 and 1 Kgs. 13:1-3 (see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 390, #9). SPECIAL TOPIC: LAWS IN THE ANE "the priests sprinkled the blood" The VERB (BDB 284, KB 283, Qal PARTICIPLE) is used in several rituals. the burnt offering ‒ Lev. 1:5,11; 8:19; 9:12; 2 Kgs. 16:15; Ezek. 43:18 the peace offering ‒ Lev. 3:2,8,13; 9:18; 17:6; 2 Kgs. 16:13 the sin offering ‒ Lev. 7:2,14; 2 Chr. 29:22 SPECIAL TOPIC: BLOOD 30:18-19 Here again, the "letter" of the law is modified for the inclusion of worshipers at Hezekiah's request. The Law is for mankind, not vice versa (cf. Matthew 12; Mark 7). 30:19 "everyone who prepares his heart to seek God" This will become the reality of the gospel message! The heart is the key (see note at 2 Chr. 7:14; John 4). 30:21 NASB, NKJV, NRSV "with loud instruments" "with all their strength" "with all their might" "with powerful instruments" "with unrestrained fervor" "with instruments" "singing songs of praise" The UBS Text Project, p. 479, gives two suggestions. "with powerful instruments," which it gives a "B" rating (some doubt) with all their might (RSV, NEB) The MT has "musical instruments" (BDB 479, #2, b., cf. 1 Chr. 15:16; 16:5,42; 23:5; 2 Chr. 5:13; 7:6; 23:13; 29:26-27; 34:12). 30:22 This is another example of the Chronicler's positive attitude toward Levites.
2 Crônicas 30:23-27
30:23 "another seven days" One wonders if this is a purposeful link to Solomon's two-week dedication of the temple in 2 Chr. 7:8-10. 30:25 Notice all the groups that rejoiced. all the assembly of Judah (2 Chr. 30:2) priests and Levites (i.e., tribe of Levi) all the assembly from the northern kingdom (v. 1) sojourners (cf. Num. 9:14) from Israel from Judah 30:26 The Chronicler longed for "the good old days" of the United Monarchy (i.e., 2 Chr. 7:8-10). 30:27 "Levitical priests" The RSV, NRSV, NEB, REB, following the LXX, have "priests and Levites." The UBS Text Project, p. 479, gives "Levitical priests" an "A" rating. SPECIAL TOPIC: LEVITICAL PRIESTS "blessed the people" This refers to Num. 6:23, called "the Aaronic blessing." There are several texts that mention a priestly blessing (cf. Deut. 33:8-11; 1 Sam. 2:20; 9:13; 1 Chr. 23:13). This "blessing" held great importance for faithful worshipers. It was a prayer to YHWH for His covenant presence, promises, and abundance (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30). "His holy dwelling place, to heaven" This phrase could refer to YHWH's presence refer to where He symbolically dwelt between the wings of the cherubim over the ark of the covenant refer to the third heaven It is possible this is also a literary echo of 2 Chr. 6:21,30,33,35 (the dedicatory prayer of Solomon). SPECIAL TOPIC: CHERUBIM SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HEAVENS AND THE THIRD HEAVEN