Then Josiah kept the Passover to the LORD in JerusalemJosiah, the king of Judah, is noted for his religious reforms and dedication to the worship of Yahweh. His observance of the Passover is significant as it marks a return to the covenantal practices outlined in the Law of Moses. The Passover, instituted in
Exodus 12, commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, symbolizing redemption and divine protection. Josiah's actions align with the Deuteronomic reforms, emphasizing the centralization of worship in Jerusalem, the chosen city of God. This observance underscores the importance of covenant faithfulness and the restoration of proper worship practices.
and the Passover lamb was slaughtered
The slaughtering of the Passover lamb is a direct reference to the instructions given inExodus 12:6, where each household was to sacrifice a lamb. This act is rich in typology, foreshadowing the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), who takes away the sin of the world. The lamb's blood, which protected the Israelites from the angel of death, prefigures the atoning blood of Christ, offering salvation and protection from spiritual death.
on the fourteenth day of the first month
The timing of the Passover is crucial, as it is celebrated on the fourteenth day of Nisan (the first month of the Hebrew calendar), as commanded inExodus 12:18. This date marks the beginning of the Jewish religious year and is a time of renewal and reflection. The precise observance of this date by Josiah highlights his commitment to adhering to the Mosaic Law and restoring the proper worship calendar, which had been neglected by previous kings. This observance also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's appointed times and seasons, emphasizing divine order and faithfulness.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JosiahThe King of Judah who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC. Known for his religious reforms and dedication to restoring the worship of Yahweh.
2.
PassoverA significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It involves the sacrifice of a lamb and is celebrated on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan).
3.
JerusalemThe capital city of Judah and the spiritual center for the Jewish people, where the temple was located and where the Passover was celebrated.
4.
The Passover LambThe sacrificial animal that symbolizes the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. It is a type of Christ, the Lamb of God, in Christian theology.
5.
The Fourteenth Day of the First MonthThis date is significant as it aligns with the instructions given in Exodus for the celebration of Passover, emphasizing obedience to God's commands.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's CommandsJosiah's celebration of the Passover as prescribed in the Law demonstrates the importance of adhering to God's instructions. Believers today are called to live in obedience to God's Word.
Spiritual Renewal and ReformJosiah's actions were part of a broader reform to restore true worship. Christians are encouraged to seek personal and communal renewal, aligning their lives with biblical principles.
The Significance of RemembranceThe Passover serves as a reminder of God's deliverance. Similarly, Christians are called to remember Christ's sacrifice through practices like Communion.
Leadership in WorshipJosiah's leadership in reinstating the Passover highlights the role of leaders in guiding others in worship and spiritual practices.
Typology of ChristThe Passover lamb is a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice. Understanding this typology enriches the Christian appreciation of the Old Testament.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 35:1?
2.How does Josiah's Passover celebration in 2 Chronicles 35:1 inspire our worship today?
3.What can we learn from Josiah's leadership in organizing the Passover in Judah?
4.How does 2 Chronicles 35:1 connect to Exodus 12 and the original Passover?
5.Why is obedience to God's commands crucial, as demonstrated by Josiah's actions?
6.How can we ensure our worship aligns with biblical principles like Josiah's Passover?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 35:1 reflect the importance of Passover in Jewish history and tradition?
8.Why did Josiah choose to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem according to 2 Chronicles 35:1?
9.What does 2 Chronicles 35:1 reveal about Josiah's leadership and religious reforms?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 35?
11.Who is the author of the Book of Jeremiah?
12.Why do 2 Chronicles 35 and 2 Kings 23 differ in their accounts of Josiah's death, raising questions about the actual historical events?
13.Why does the Bible’s account of King Josiah’s reforms seem to be retroactively inserted to justify later religious practices?
14.Why would Josiah ignore Necho’s explicit warning in 2 Chronicles 35:21 if it was truly from God?What Does 2 Chronicles 35:1 Mean
Then Josiah kept the Passover• Passover was ordained inExodus 12:1-14 as a memorial of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt—an observance meant to be perpetual (Exodus 12:17).
• By Josiah’s day, the nation had drifted; earlier kings neglected or corrupted worship (2 Kings 21:1-9). Josiah’s revival included restoring the temple (2 Chronicles 34:8-13) and recovering the Book of the Law (2 Chronicles 34:14-19).
• Keeping the Passover demonstrates Josiah’s wholehearted response to God’s Word (2 Chronicles 34:31-33). Obedience wasn’t partial or symbolic; it was full-scale, returning Israel to covenant faithfulness just as Moses commanded (Deuteronomy 16:1-8).
to the LORD• Passover was not a cultural festival but an act of worship “to the LORD.” Its purpose was to honor Him as Redeemer (Exodus 12:27).
• Josiah directs the nation’s focus upward, away from idols (2 Chronicles 34:3-7). True renewal always centers on the Lord Himself, not on mere ritual (1 Samuel 15:22;Isaiah 1:11-17).
in Jerusalem• God chose Jerusalem as the place for His name to dwell (Deuteronomy 12:5-7;2 Chronicles 6:6). Centralizing worship safeguarded purity and unity.
• Earlier, Hezekiah invited all Israel to a Passover in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30:1-5). Josiah’s celebration follows that pattern, reinforcing that worship is on God’s terms, not human convenience (John 4:24).
and the Passover lamb was slaughtered• The lamb was a substitutionary sacrifice, its blood protecting Israelites from judgment in Egypt (Exodus 12:13). Each Passover re-enacted God’s saving act.
• Slaughtering the lamb underscored sin’s penalty—death—and foreshadowed the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away sin (John 1:29;1 Corinthians 5:7).
• Josiah ensured priestly order and Levite assistance so the ritual conformed precisely to the Law (2 Chronicles 35:2-6), showing that worship must match God’s revealed pattern (Leviticus 10:1-3).
on the fourteenth day of the first month• This date was explicitly commanded (Exodus 12:6;Leviticus 23:5). Earlier reforms held Passover in the second month because priests were unprepared (2 Chronicles 30:2-3). By Josiah’s time, preparation was complete, allowing celebration at the exact appointed time.
• Obedience includes timing. Delayed or altered worship, though sometimes necessary, is not the ideal. Josiah’s punctual observance signals restored alignment with God’s calendar (Numbers 9:1-5).
summaryJosiah’s Passover in2 Chronicles 35:1 showcases wholehearted obedience to God’s revealed Word. The king restores the covenant festival exactly as commanded—honoring the LORD, centralizing worship in Jerusalem, offering the prescribed sacrifice, and keeping the precise date. His actions highlight that true reform is measured by conformity to Scripture, pointing forward to Christ, the ultimate Passover Lamb whose blood secures eternal deliverance.
(1)
Moreover.--
And. The form of the Hebrew verb implies that this Passover was held subsequently to the renewal of the covenant; and
2Kings 23:23 fixes the date precisely as "the eighteenth year of king Josiah."
Kept.--Made (2Chronicles 30:1).
On the fourteenth day of the first month.--In strict accordance with the law. Hezekiah's Passover was irregular in point of time (2Chronicles 30:2;2Chronicles 30:13).
Verse 1. -
They killed the Passover on the fourteenth... of the first month;i.e. on the day appointed originally (
Exodus 12:6). It will be remembered that, under special circumstances, the same day of the
second month was authorized by "Hezekiah and his princes" (
2 Chronicles 30:2).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then Josiahיֹאשִׁיָּ֧הוּ(yō·šî·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2977:Josiah -- 'Yah supports', two Israelitescelebratedוַיַּ֨עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makethe Passoverפֶּ֖סַח(pe·saḥ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6453:A pretermission, exemption, Passoverto the LORDלַיהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelin Jerusalem,בִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֛ם(ḇî·rū·šā·lim)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389:Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israeland the Passover lambהַפֶּ֔סַח(hap·pe·saḥ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6453:A pretermission, exemption, Passoverwas slaughteredוַיִּשְׁחֲט֣וּ(way·yiš·ḥă·ṭū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7819:To slaughter, beaton the fourteenthבְּאַרְבָּעָ֥ה(bə·’ar·bā·‘āh)Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 702:Fourday of the firstהָרִאשֽׁוֹן׃(hā·ri·šō·wn)Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7223:First, in place, time, rankmonth.לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ(la·ḥō·ḏeš)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320:The new moon, a month
Links
2 Chronicles 35:1 NIV2 Chronicles 35:1 NLT2 Chronicles 35:1 ESV2 Chronicles 35:1 NASB2 Chronicles 35:1 KJV
2 Chronicles 35:1 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 35:1 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 35:1 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 35:1 French Bible2 Chronicles 35:1 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 35:1 Josiah kept a Passover to Yahweh (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
