2 Chronicles 30:18

18. of Ephraim etc.] The list of tribes given here does not agree with the list in 2Ch_30:11, but in both cases it is probable that the Chronicler merely wishes by his list to designate men of the Northern Kingdom as opposed to those of the Southern. He could not make the distinction by using the term “Israel” here, for in Chron. “Israel” as a rule is not used in opposition to “Judah”; cp. 2Ch_11:3 (note).

it was written] R.V. it is written i.e. in the Mosaic Law.

But Hezekiah prayed] R.V. For Hezekiah had prayed.

The good Lord pardon] According to the Heb. division 2Ch_30:18 ends with the word “pardon,” in the middle of the clause, as the A.V. (and R.V.) translate it. It is probable, however, that this Heb. division is right, and that it is the order of the words which needs correction. The phrase “the good Lord” (i.e. Jehovah “the good”) has no parallel in Heb. and is open to suspicion, but by a simple transposition we get, The LORD pardon the good. For “the good” cp. 2Ch_19:11.

18, 19. every one that prepareth his heart] Render, even him that setteth his whole heart (cp. R.V. mg.). This clause defines the preceding phrase (“The good”); see last note.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ch 30:18 For a multitude of the people, [even] many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

Ver. 18. Many of Ephraim and Manasseh, &c.] Who had been a long while without God, without law, and without a teaching priest; {2Ch 15:3} these came rudely and unreverently to the passover, and some way smarted for it. In the gospel, he that came in without a wedding garment on his back, went not out without fetters on his feet. And "for this cause many are weak and sickly amongst you, and some are fallen asleep," i.e., dead outright. {1Co 11:30}

The good Lord pardon every one.] Iehovah optimus praestet Spiritu suo quod isti temporis importunitate praetermiserunt: the good Lord make us by his Spirit, what, through want of time or means, is wanting to this poor people, and graciously accept their weak but willing services, &c.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ch 30:18. A multitude of the people had not cleansed themselves — Either they did not know, after such a long night of ignorance and superstition, what ceremonies were required, in order to their purification, or they had not time to use them. Yet having an eager and pious desire to commemorate their wonderful deliverance out of the Egyptian bondage, they were permitted, in their uncleanness, to eat the passover, lest they should be discouraged if they were denied it, in this their return to the true religion. But Hezekiah prayed for them — It was his zeal that had called them together in such haste, and he would not that they should fare the worse for being straitened for time in their preparation. He therefore thought himself concerned to be an intercessor for those that ate the passover otherwise than it was written. And he had confidence that God was so gracious that he would not, on account of the omission of some prescribed ceremony, be wroth with men whose hearts were upright before him.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He knew that faith and sincerity of heart was more agreeable to God, than the observation of the ceremonies, and therefore he prayed unto God to pardon this fault unto the people which did not offend of malice but of ignorance.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 18. A multitude of the people - had not cleansed themselves] As there were men from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, they were excusable, because they came from countries that had been wholly devoted to idolatry.

The good Lord pardon every one] "The Lord, who is good, have mercy on this people who err." - T.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(18) A multitude.—Marbîth (2chron 96; 1Ch_12:29). Only in the Chronicles in this sense. Else where the term means “increase” of children (1Sa_2:33), or of money, i.e., interest (τόκον, Lev_25:37).

Ephraim . . . Zebulun.—The names indicate a documental source.

Had not cleansed themselves.—As was natural in the case of persons who had long been estranged from the legal religion of Jehovah (hittèhârû, pausal form of hittâharû, Ezr_6:20, occurs here only).

Yet did they eat . . . written.—But ate the Passover in non-accordance with the Scripture—i.e., in illegal fashion, being themselves unclean. (Comp. Num_9:6, seq., according to which unclean persons ‘were bound to abstain from eating the Passover until the fourteenth of the second month.)

But Hezekiah prayed.—For Hezekiah had prayed for them, and therefore their irregularity was condoned,

The good Lord.—Jehovah the good; so only here. (Comp. Psa_25:8.)

Good—i.e., kind, generous; benignus, benevolus.

Pardon every one.—Properly, make atonement on behalf of every one (kipper bĕ ‘ad): Lev_16:6; Lev_16:11. In the sense of forgive the construction is different: Psa_65:4; Eze_16:63.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

That prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers,.... Who was heartily desirous of worshipping God, and observing his ordinances, which had been enjoined their fathers, and they had kept; though Aben Ezra, as Kimchi observes, refers this to Hezekiah:

whose whole heart he directed, or prepared to seek the Lord, &c. by prayer and supplication for everyone of the said persons:

though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary: according to the ceremonial law, which the service of the temple required; since, though they were attended with a ceremonial impurity, had a moral purity, and their hearts were right with God.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Ephraim and....Issachar had not been mentioned before, v. 18. H. --- Some indulgence was shewn to the tribes of Israel, which had been so long rebellious, for fear lest they should return no more; and because they had shewn a good will in procuring the Levites to slay the victims for them, as that was rightly judged a more sacred action than to partake of the feast. The law forbade, nevertheless, the unclean to approach to any thing sacred, Lev. xv. 31., and xxii. 4., and Num. ix. 6. C. --- But a dispensation was granted, (M.) as the Passover could not be celebrated in any but the first or the second month. The people had come with such eagerness, that they had not time to acquire the purity required. C. --- They were however truly penitent, and God dispensed with them. W.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Otherwise than it was written: they had so eager a desire to partake of this ordinance, that, rather than neglect it, they would venture upon it with some ceremonial uncleanness upon them.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

18. Many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves — Being at a distance and unfamiliar with the ceremonial requirements, they had nevertheless responded to Hezekiah’s call, (2Ch_30:11,) and the king decided that in their case an exception should be made, and he accordingly prayed the Lord to pardon the defect. In this prayer of Hezekiah we note that loftier view of worship which discerns, in the pure desire of an humble heart, something better than bondage to the mere letter of the law.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

So also the original Law of Moses prescribed that the uncleansed must not eat the Passover. (Num_9:6)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun

These are the names of some of the tribes that lived in the northern part of Israel. See how you translated "Zebulun" in 2 Chronicles 30:10. (See: How to Translate Names)

against the written instructions

To do something "against" instructions means to do something that is not in obedience to the instructions. If needed, the instructions can be stated clearly. AT: "even though the written instructions said that they must purify themselves first" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

the good Yahweh

The word "good" here is a reminder to the people that Yahweh is kind. AT: "Yahweh, who is good" (See: Distinguishing versus Informing or Reminding)

everyone who sets his heart to seek God

Here "sets his heart" is a metaphor for being determined to do something, and "to seek God" is a metaphor for knowing, worshiping, and obeying him. AT: "everyone who is determined to obey God" or "everyone who truly wants to honor God" (See: Metaphor)

So Yahweh listened to Hezekiah

This implies that Yahweh responded favorably to Hezekiah. AT: "So Yahweh responded favorably to Hezekiah" or "So Yahweh did what Hezekiah asked" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

healed the people

Here "healed the people" is a metaphor for forgiving the people and not punishing them. AT: "forgave the people" or "did not punish the people" (See: Metaphor)

translationWords

Issachar

written

Hezekiah

pray

good

forgive

cure

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

for they ate the Passover sacrifice not as it is written not in accordance with halachah, for they ate it in a state of uncleanness, for Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, etc.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.