See Exodus 12:18 , and many repetitions of the same matter, respecting the duration of the Passover and eating of unleavened bread. With loud instruments . Some render this, "instruments ascribing might to Jehovah." There seems no necessity for this; and the plain Hebrew text is "instruments of might," i.e. strong or loud instruments. read more
Religious enthusiasm. This chapter reads as if written by an eyewitness of the scenes described, so vivid is the account, so much colour is in the picture. It was evidently a time of very great enthusiasm, of spiritual exuberance. These are very pleasant, and they may be very profitable occasions; but they need to be rightly directed and well controlled. Of religious enthusiasm, we may consider— I. ITS ONLY FIRM FOUNDATION . This is a true sense of the Divine favour. Unless God... read more
Spake comfortably ; literally, to the heart of, etc. That taught the good knowledge . This rendering is in some error, and is awkward in not indicating the direction of the knowledge. A better rendering (see Revised Version) will be, who were well skilled in rendering such service to Jehovah. And perhaps the simplest rendering, "who served with good service to Jehovah," will be the most correct to the real meaning of the Hebrew text ( Psalms 111:10 ; Proverbs 13:15 ). Making... read more
This and the following verso should read as one. Hezekiah no doubt wished, by prolonging the feast and the joy, to make the more lasting impression on the people and the more hopeful conversion of them. read more
Did give . This is an inadequate rendering. Revised Version reads, did give for offerings; others read, "gave as an heave offering." In the light of our 2 Chronicles 35:7-9 , the Revised Version rendering seems sufficient. read more
The strangers . Some consider this describes "proselytes from Israel, who were non-Israelites." But this seems a most gratuitous supposition. The Hebrew גֵרִים does, in fact, purport only "sojourners," and is frequently so translated, and our next clause corroborates this view. The interesting aspect of it is, that probably the persons described had emigrated from their own tribes, as they longed for Jerusalem, "their chief joy." read more
Since the time of Solomon. The reference is to Solomon's "Feast of Tabernacles" ( 2 Chronicles 7:9 ). read more
An ideal city: Jerusalem in the first days of Hezekiah. I. ITS GOD WAS GRACIOUS . ( 2 Chronicles 30:9 .) Its people had a Divinity who was: 1 . Propitious towards their persons. He had given them one heart ( 2 Chronicles 30:12 ). 2 . Propitious towards their sacrifices. He accepted them, although offered not in perfect accordance with the Law of Moses ( 2 Chronicles 30:16 ). 3 . Propitious towards their prayers. He heard the king's intercession ( 2... read more
The continuance of the idolatrous altars to this time shows that Hezekiah had been more anxious to construct than to destroy, to establish the Yahweh-worship than to root out idolatry. Now, however, that the more important work was done, the temple open, and the daily service restored, attention could be turned to the secondary object of removing from the city all traces of the late apostasy. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 30:20
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. read more