2 Chronicles 30:1

“And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, etc.] Sent messengers to them, not only to the subjects of his own kingdom, Judah, but to all the Israelites that dwelt in it, who were come thither for the sake of religion, and the worship of God: and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh; which are put for all the ten tribes, as appears from (<143010>2 Chronicles 30:10,11) and are distinguished from Israel in the preceding clause: that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem; not that he laid his commands upon them to come, they not being his subjects, namely, those of the ten tribes; but he hereby admonished them of their duty, and gave them a kind invitation, signifying the…”

“HEZEKIAH PROCLAIMS A PASSOVER. (Ch2 30:1-12) Hezekiah sent to all . . . Judah . . . to come to . . . Jerusalem, to keep the passover--This great religious festival had not been regularly observed by the Hebrews in their national capacity for a long time because of the division of the kingdom and the many disorders that had followed that unhappy event. Hezekiah longed extremely to see its observance revived; and the expression of his wishes having received a hearty response from the princes and chief men of his own kingdom, the preparatory steps were taken for a renewed celebration of the national solemnity. letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh--The names of these leading tribes are used for…”

“Compare 2 Chronicles 29:24 note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Israel - All the persons of the ten tribes, who were settled in his kingdom. Ephraim, &c. - To all the remainder of the ten tribes, Ch2 30:5, here expressed by the names of Ephraim and Manasseh, as elsewhere by the name of Ephraim only. But he names these two tribes, because they were nearest to his kingdom, and a great number of them had long since, and from time to time joined themselves to the kingdom of Judah, Ch2 15:8-9. At Jerusalem - Admonishing them of their duty to Cod, and persuading them to comply with it. 2 Chronicles 30:2”

“30:1-27 This account of Hezekiah’s celebration of Passover reflects the Chronicler’s concern with the unity of Israel, the spiritual preparedness of the people, and the success of following the formula for restoration given by Solomon at the dedication of the Temple (7:14).”

“Israel: Ch2 11:13, Ch2 11:16 Ephraim: Ch2 30:10, Ch2 30:11, Ch2 25:7, Ch2 35:6; Hos 5:4, Hos 7:8, Hos 7:9, Hos 11:8 to the house: Deu 16:2-6 to keep: Exod. 12:3-20; Co1 5:7, Co1 5:8 2 Chronicles 30:2”

“The celebration of the passover. - Ch2 30:1-12. The preparations for this celebration. - Ch2 30:1. Hezekiah invited all Israel and Judah to it; "and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh," the two chief tribes of the northern kingdom, which here, as is manifest from Ch2 30:5, Ch2 30:10, are named instar omnium. But the whole sentence serves only to elucidate כּל־שׂראל על ישׁלה. To all Israel (of the ten tribes) he sent the invitation, and this he did by letters. The verse contains a general statement as to the matter, which is further described in what follows. 2 Chronicles 30:2”