CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Kings 23:21 The king commanded all the people, "Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/23-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/12_2Ki_23_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 23:21 - Josiah Restores the Passover" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The king commanded all the people, Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_kings/23-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_kings/23-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_kings/">2 Kings</a> > <a href="/2_kings/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm" title="2 Kings 23:20">◄</a> 2 Kings 23:21 <a href="/2_kings/23-22.htm" title="2 Kings 23:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The king gave this order to all the people: &#8220Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />King Josiah then issued this order to all the people: “You must celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as required in this Book of the Covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as <i>it is</i> written in the book of this covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as <i>it is</i> written in this Book of the Covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king commanded all the people, saying, “Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the king commanded all the people saying, &#8220Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God as it is written in this book of the covenant.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the king commanded all the people saying, “Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God as it is written in this book of the covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the king commanded all the people saying, “Celebrate the Passover to Yahweh your God as it is written in this book of the covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the king commanded all the people, saying, “Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God as it is written in this book of the covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The king commanded all the people, “Observe the Passover of the LORD your God as written in the book of the covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The king commanded all the people, &#8220Keep the Passover of the LORD your God as written in the book of the covenant.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto Jehovah your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Josiah told the people of Judah, "Celebrate Passover in honor of the LORD your God, just as it says in The Book of God's Law." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The king ordered all the people to celebrate the Passover for the LORD their God as it is written in this Book of the Promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />King Josiah ordered the people to celebrate the Passover in honor of the LORD their God, as written in the book of the covenant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />After this, the king commanded all of the people, "Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, just as it's prescribed in this Book of the Covenant." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The king commanded all the people, ?Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The king ordered all the people, "Observe the Passover of the LORD your God, as prescribed in this scroll of the covenant."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The king commanded all the people, saying, "Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this scroll of the covenant."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king commands the whole of the people, saying, “Make a Passover to your God YHWH, as it is written on this scroll of the covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the king commandeth the whole of the people, saying, 'Make ye a passover to Jehovah your God, as it is written on this book of the covenant.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king will command all the people, saying, Do the passover to Jehovah your God, according to the writing upon the book of this covenant.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he commanded all the people, saying: Keep the phase to the Lord your God, according as it is written in the book of this covenant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he instructed all the people, saying: “Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, according to what has been written in the book of this covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The king issued a command to all the people: “Observe the Passover of the LORD, your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The king commanded all the people, “Keep the passover to the LORD your God as prescribed in this book of the covenant.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover to the LORD your God. as it is written in the book of this covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the King commanded all the people, and said: “Perform the Passover to LORD JEHOVAH your God, as it is written in the Book of this Covenant<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the king commanded all the people, saying: 'Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/23-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=8151" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/23.htm">Josiah Restores the Passover</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">The king</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6680.htm" title="6680: way·ṣaw (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order. A primitive root; to constitute, enjoin.">commanded</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ă·śū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">“Keep</a> <a href="/hebrew/6453.htm" title="6453: p̄e·saḥ (N-ms) -- Passover. From pacach; a pretermission, i.e. Exemption; used only techically of the Jewish Passover.">the Passover</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3789.htm" title="3789: kak·kā·ṯūḇ (Prep-k, Art:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To write. A primitive root; to grave, by implication, to write.">as it is written</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/5612.htm" title="5612: sê·p̄er (N-msc) -- A missive, document, writing, book. Or ciphrah; from caphar; properly, writing; by implication, a book.">Book</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: hab·bə·rîṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">of the Covenant.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>No such Passover had been observed from the days of the judges who had governed Israel through all the days of the kings of Israel and Judah.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-24.htm">Exodus 12:24-27</a></span><br />And you are to keep this command as a permanent statute for you and your descendants. / When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, you are to keep this service. / When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-1.htm">Deuteronomy 16:1-8</a></span><br />Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night. / You are to offer to the LORD your God the Passover sacrifice from the herd or flock in the place the LORD will choose as a dwelling for His Name. / You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/35-1.htm">2 Chronicles 35:1-19</a></span><br />Then Josiah kept the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and the Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month. / He appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD. / To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the LORD, Josiah said: “Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. It is not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-1.htm">Exodus 12:1-14</a></span><br />Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, / “This month is the beginning of months for you; it shall be the first month of your year. / Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/23-4.htm">Leviticus 23:4-8</a></span><br />These are the LORD’s appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times. / The Passover to the LORD begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. / On the fifteenth day of the same month begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/9-1.htm">Numbers 9:1-5</a></span><br />In the first month of the second year after Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai: / “The Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. / You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/5-10.htm">Joshua 5:10-12</a></span><br />On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while the Israelites were camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, they kept the Passover. / The day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate unleavened bread and roasted grain from the produce of the land. / And the day after they had eaten from the produce of the land, the manna ceased. There was no more manna for the Israelites, so that year they began to eat the crops of the land of Canaan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/5-7.htm">1 Corinthians 5:7-8</a></span><br />Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. / Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-17.htm">Matthew 26:17-19</a></span><br />On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’” / So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-12.htm">Mark 14:12-16</a></span><br />On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” / So He sent two of His disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jug of water will meet you. Follow him, / and whichever house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-7.htm">Luke 22:7-13</a></span><br />Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. / Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” / “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/2-13.htm">John 2:13-23</a></span><br />When the Jewish Passover was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. / In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and money changers seated at their tables. / So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/13-1.htm">John 13:1</a></span><br />It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-28.htm">Hebrews 11:28</a></span><br />By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/30-1.htm">2 Chronicles 30:1-5</a></span><br />Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel. / For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, / since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.</p><p class="hdg">Keep.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/35-1.htm">2 Chronicles 35:1-19</a></b></br> Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth <i>day</i> of the first month… </p><p class="hdg">as it is written.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-3.htm">Exodus 12:3-20</a></b></br> Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth <i>day</i> of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of <i>their</i> fathers, a lamb for an house: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/23-5.htm">Leviticus 23:5-8</a></b></br> In the fourteenth <i>day</i> of the first month at even <i>is</i> the LORD'S passover… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/9-2.htm">Numbers 9:2-5</a></b></br> Let the children of Israel also keep the passover at his appointed season… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">Book</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-21.htm">Celebrate</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-12.htm">Commandeth</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-19.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-12.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/joshua/5-11.htm">Passover</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-3.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">Book</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-4.htm">Celebrate</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/6-49.htm">Commanded</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-20.htm">Commandeth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-3.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-16.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-35.htm">Order</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-32.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-22.htm">Passover</a> <a href="/2_kings/24-16.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-1.htm">Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-3.htm">He renews the covenant of the Lord.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">He destroys idolatry.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-15.htm">He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Bethel, as was prophesied.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-21.htm">He keeps a most solemn Passover.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-24.htm">He puts away witches and all abomination.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-26.htm">God's final wrath against Judah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-29.htm">Josiah, provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-31.htm">Jehoahaz, succeeding him,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-33.htm">is imprisoned by Pharaoh Neco, who makes Jehoiakim king.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/23-36.htm">Jehoiakim's wicked reign.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The king commanded all the people</b><br>This phrase refers to King Josiah, who reigned over Judah from approximately 640 to 609 BC. Josiah was known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh. His command to all the people signifies a national call to return to the covenantal practices outlined in the Mosaic Law. This reflects the king's authority and responsibility to lead the nation in spiritual matters, emphasizing the communal aspect of worship in ancient Israel.<p><b>Keep the Passover of the LORD your God</b><br>The Passover is a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as described in <a href="/exodus/12.htm">Exodus 12</a>. It involves the sacrifice of a lamb and the eating of unleavened bread, symbolizing God's salvation and the haste of the Israelites' departure. Josiah's command to keep the Passover highlights a return to foundational religious practices that had been neglected. This observance is a reminder of God's faithfulness and deliverance, serving as a type of Christ, who is referred to as the "Lamb of God" in the New Testament (<a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a>).<p><b>as it is written in this Book of the Covenant</b><br>The "Book of the Covenant" likely refers to the rediscovered book of the Law, possibly Deuteronomy, found during temple renovations (<a href="/2_kings/22-8.htm">2 Kings 22:8</a>). This discovery sparked Josiah's reforms and a renewed commitment to the covenantal laws. The phrase underscores the importance of adhering to the written Word of God as the standard for religious practice and moral conduct. It also reflects the centrality of Scripture in guiding the community's faith and actions, a principle echoed throughout the Bible, such as in <a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a>, which describes God's Word as a lamp to one's feet and a light to one's path.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_josiah.htm">King Josiah</a></b><br>The king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and sought to restore the worship of Yahweh according to the covenant.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The inhabitants of the southern kingdom who were commanded by Josiah to observe the Passover.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/passover.htm">Passover</a></b><br>A significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, symbolizing redemption and obedience to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_book_of_the_covenant.htm">The Book of the Covenant</a></b><br>Likely referring to the rediscovered book of the Law, which inspired Josiah's reforms and the renewed observance of the Passover.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The central place of worship in Judah where the Passover was to be celebrated.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_word.htm">Obedience to God's Word</a></b><br>Josiah's command to keep the Passover underscores the importance of aligning our lives with Scripture. We are called to be diligent in our study and application of God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/revival_and_reform.htm">Revival and Reform</a></b><br>True spiritual revival often begins with a return to the foundational truths of Scripture. Like Josiah, we should seek to remove anything in our lives that hinders our relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/significance_of_remembrance.htm">Significance of Remembrance</a></b><br>The Passover serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. As Christians, we are called to remember Christ's sacrifice and live in light of His redemption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_worship.htm">Community Worship</a></b><br>Josiah's command was directed to all the people, highlighting the importance of corporate worship and community in our spiritual journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>Observing the Passover as written in the Book of the Covenant reflects a commitment to the covenant relationship with God. We are reminded to be faithful to our commitments to God and His commands.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_josiah's_passover_scale_plausible.htm">Is the reported scale of Josiah’s Passover celebration (2 Kings 23:21–23) historically plausible, given scant external corroboration? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_2_kings_23_25_exalt_josiah_over_david.htm">Why does 2 Kings 23:25 suggest Josiah surpassed even David in devotion, seemingly contradicting other texts that exalt David’s faithfulness? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_josiah's_timeline.htm">How do we reconcile the timeline of Josiah’s reign in 2 Kings 22:1 with other historical and biblical sources referencing his lineage and age? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_josiah_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Josiah in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Keep the passover.</span>--<span class= "ital">Hold a passover</span> (<a href="/2_kings/23-22.htm" title="Surely there was not held such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;">2Kings 23:22</a>). (Comp. <a href="/context/2_chronicles/35-1.htm" title="Moreover Josiah kept a passover to the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.">2Chronicles 35:1-19</a> for a more detailed account of this unique celebration.) Josiah had the precedent of Hezekiah for signalising his religious revolution by a solemn passover (<a href="/2_chronicles/30-1.htm" title="And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover to the LORD God of Israel.">2Chronicles 30:1</a>).<p><span class= "bld">In the book of this covenant.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">in this book of the covenant</span> (<a href="/2_kings/23-2.htm" title="And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.">2Kings 23:2</a>). The book was that which Hilkiah had found in the Temple, and which gave the impulse to the whole reforming movement. (The LXX. and Vulg. read, <span class= "ital">in the book of this covenant</span>--a mere mistake.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the Passover.</span> The account given of Josiah's Passover is much more full in Chronicles than in Kings. In Chronicles it occupies nineteen verses of <a href="/2_chronicles/35.htm">2 Chronicles 35</a>. We learn from Chronicles that all the rites prescribed by the Law, whether in Exodus, Leviticus, or Deuteronomy, were duly observed, and that the festival was attended, not only by the Judaeans, but by many Israelites from among the ten tribes, who still remained intermixed with the Assyrian colonists in the Samaritan country (see <a href="/2_chronicles/35-17.htm">2 Chronicles 35:17, 18</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Unto the Lord your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.</span> The ordinances for the due observance of the Passover feast are contained chiefly in Exodus (<a href="/exodus/12-3.htm">Exodus 12:3-20</a>; <a href="/exodus/13-5.htm">Exodus 13:5-10</a>). They are repeated, but with much less fullness, in <a href="/deuteronomy/16-1.htm">Deuteronomy 16:1-8</a>. The "book of the covenant" found by Hilkiah must, therefore, certainly have contained Exodus (see below, ver. 25). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/23-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">commanded</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְצַ֤ו</span> <span class="translit">(way·ṣaw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6680.htm">Strong's 6680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Keep</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲשׂ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·śū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Passover</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶ֔סַח</span> <span class="translit">(p̄e·saḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6453.htm">Strong's 6453: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pretermission, exemption, Passover</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as [it is] written</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּכָּת֕וּב</span> <span class="translit">(kak·kā·ṯūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3789.htm">Strong's 3789: </a> </span><span class="str2">To grave, to write</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֛ל</span> <span class="translit">(‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Book</span><br /><span class="heb">סֵ֥פֶר</span> <span class="translit">(sê·p̄er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5612.htm">Strong's 5612: </a> </span><span class="str2">A missive, document, writing, book</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Covenant.”</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּרִ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/23-21.htm">2 Kings 23:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/23-21.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 23:21 The king commanded all the people saying (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/23-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 23:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/23-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 23:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 23:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>