And the LORD heard HezekiahThis phrase highlights the power of prayer and the responsiveness of God to the petitions of His faithful servants. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, was known for his devotion to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the temple. His prayer is a demonstration of his leadership and faith. The context of this passage is the celebration of the Passover, which Hezekiah reinstated after a period of neglect. This act of seeking God and leading the people back to Him is reminiscent of other biblical figures like Moses and David, who also interceded for the people. The LORD's response to Hezekiah's prayer underscores the importance of righteous leadership and the effectiveness of intercession.
and healed the people.
The healing of the people refers to both physical and spiritual restoration. In the context of2 Chronicles 30, many of the Israelites who came to celebrate the Passover were not ceremonially clean, yet Hezekiah prayed for their acceptance. God's healing here can be seen as a divine act of grace, forgiving their ritual impurity and allowing them to participate in the sacred festival. This act of healing is a foreshadowing of the ultimate healing and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ, who cleanses believers from sin. The concept of healing is prevalent throughout Scripture, often symbolizing restoration and reconciliation with God, as seen in passages likeIsaiah 53:5 andMatthew 8:16-17.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HezekiahThe King of Judah who initiated religious reforms and sought to restore proper worship of Yahweh. He is known for his faithfulness and dedication to God.
2.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who responds to the prayers of His people and demonstrates His power and mercy through healing.
3.
The PeopleRefers to the Israelites who participated in the Passover celebration, despite not being fully purified according to the Law. They represent the community of believers seeking reconciliation with God.
4.
JerusalemThe central place of worship in Judah, where Hezekiah called the people to celebrate the Passover, symbolizing a return to covenant faithfulness.
5.
PassoverA significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, which Hezekiah reinstated as part of his religious reforms.
Teaching Points
The Power of Intercessory PrayerHezekiah's prayer for the people demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of interceding on behalf of others. Believers are encouraged to pray for one another, trusting in God's willingness to hear and respond.
God's Mercy and GraceDespite the people's imperfections and ritual impurities, God extends His mercy and heals them. This underscores the grace of God, who looks beyond our shortcomings when we seek Him with sincere hearts.
The Importance of Corporate WorshipThe gathering of the people for Passover highlights the significance of communal worship and the collective seeking of God's presence. Believers are reminded of the value of coming together to worship and celebrate God's faithfulness.
Restoration and RenewalHezekiah's reforms and the celebration of Passover symbolize spiritual renewal and a return to covenantal faithfulness. Christians are called to continually seek renewal in their relationship with God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 30:20?
2.How does 2 Chronicles 30:20 demonstrate God's response to sincere repentance and prayer?
3.What does God's healing in 2 Chronicles 30:20 teach about His mercy?
4.How can we apply God's forgiveness in 2 Chronicles 30:20 to our lives?
5.What scriptural connections exist between 2 Chronicles 30:20 and God's healing in the New Testament?
6.How can we encourage others to seek God's forgiveness as in 2 Chronicles 30:20?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 30:20 demonstrate God's willingness to heal and forgive?
8.What historical context surrounds the events in 2 Chronicles 30:20?
9.How does 2 Chronicles 30:20 reflect the theme of repentance and divine mercy?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 30?
11.How does the acceptance of ritually unclean participants in 2 Chronicles 30:17–20 fit with strict purification laws found elsewhere in the Old Testament?
12.In 2 Chronicles 35:18, why does the text claim no Passover like Josiah's had been celebrated 'since the days of Samuel,' seemingly ignoring the grand Passover of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 30?
13.Could the sign in Isaiah 38:7-8 be metaphorical rather than an actual astronomical phenomenon?
14.Ezekiel 11:12 condemns the people for not following God's statutes, yet other texts (e.g., 2 Chronicles 30) depict reforms and observance--do these accounts conflict, and if so, how?What Does 2 Chronicles 30:20 Mean
And• The conjunction links directly back to2 Chronicles 30:18-19, where many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had eaten the Passover “not according to what was written,” and Hezekiah prayed, “May the good LORD pardon everyone.”
• Scripture often places God’s gracious action immediately after a believing plea (see “Then” in2 Chronicles 7:14). The “And” signals that the narrative of prayer and response is inseparable and continuous.
the LORD• “LORD” represents Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 3:14).
• Covenant faithfulness is the backdrop: He promised healing for obedience inExodus 15:26 and had just affirmed in2 Chronicles 30:9 that “the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate.”
• The verse reminds readers that ultimate authority and mercy reside with God alone; no priestly ritual or royal decree substitutes for His sovereign decision.
heard• God’s hearing is personal and active, not passive.Psalm 34:17: “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears.”
• The verb stresses relational assurance—He listens to those who seek Him (1 John 5:14).
• In 2 Chronicles, every major revival records that God “heard” (29:20; 30:27), underscoring a theme: repentance opens divine ears.
Hezekiah• A reforming king (2 Kings 18:5) who “trusted in the LORD… there was none like him.”
• His intercession models spiritual leadership: he acknowledges the people’s shortcomings yet appeals to God’s goodness (30:18-19).
• The episode parallels Moses’ mediating prayer inNumbers 12:13 and Samuel’s in1 Samuel 7:8-9—illustrating that godly leaders stand between a needy people and a merciful God.
and healed• Healing here is both physical and ceremonial: the people were ritually unclean, risking judgment (Leviticus 15:31), yet God removed the consequence.
•Psalm 103:2-3 pairs forgiveness with healing, showing they often occur together.
•James 5:15 echoes the pattern centuries later: “the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”
• The act confirmsExodus 15:26—He is “the LORD who heals you.”
the people• Not just select individuals but the assembled community (2 Chronicles 30:13).
• Corporate blessing follows corporate humility (2 Chronicles 7:14).
• The scene anticipates New-Covenant gatherings where entire crowds experience God’s restorative work (Acts 2:41-47).
• God’s concern for “the people” underscores His redemptive purpose to create a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9).
summary2 Chronicles 30:20 shows the seamless link between humble intercession and divine response. The covenant LORD personally listened to His servant king, responded in grace, and restored an entire nation. The verse assures modern believers that God still hears, still heals, and still delights to bless a repentant people who trust His Word.
(20)
And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah.-Comp.
Genesis 20:17, "And Abraham prayed unto God;
and God healed Abimelech and his wife," &c. In the present instance the prayer of Hezekiah is thought of as averting a visitation of Divine wrath in the shape of disease and death. (Comp.
Leviticus 15:31, "Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my dwelling-place, that is among them.")
For the wordheal in connection with uncleanness comp.Isaiah 6:5;Isaiah 6:10. See also2Chronicles 7:14,supra;Hosea 5:13;Hosea 14:4. . . .
Verse 20. -
Healed the people. The Hebrew word here is the strict word for physical healing, and is a slight but significant indication of the reality of the spiritual view contemplated in Moses' Law in this matter.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And the LORDיְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelheardוַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע(way·yiš·ma‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlyHezekiahיְחִזְקִיָּ֔הוּ(yə·ḥiz·qî·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2396:Hezekiah -- 'Yah has strengthened', a king of Judah, also several other Israelitesand healedוַיִּרְפָּ֖א(way·yir·pā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7495:To mend, to curethe people.הָעָֽם׃(hā·‘ām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock
Links
2 Chronicles 30:20 NIV2 Chronicles 30:20 NLT2 Chronicles 30:20 ESV2 Chronicles 30:20 NASB2 Chronicles 30:20 KJV
2 Chronicles 30:20 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 30:20 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 30:20 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 30:20 French Bible2 Chronicles 30:20 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 30:20 Yahweh listened to Hezekiah and healed (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
