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? Historical Overview of Passover in Chronicles The Books of Chronicles describe two major Passover celebrations in the period of the Divided Kingdom: the Passover organized under King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30) and the Passover of King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35). In 2 Chronicles 35:18, the text states, “No Passover like it had been observed in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel. None of the kings of Israel had ever observed such a Passover as Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the people of Jerusalem.” This statement can appear to conflict with the earlier report in 2 Chronicles 30 about Hezekiah’s splendid Passover, which was also described as remarkable. A closer look at the context, details of each observance, and the Chronicler’s emphases helps clarify why both are faithfully recorded while highlighting the unique greatness of Josiah’s Passover. Hezekiah’s Passover (2 Chronicles 30) Hezekiah’s celebration was extraordinary in many respects: 1. Reinstitution Amid Reform: Hezekiah gathered priests and Levites, cleansed the temple, and reinstituted the Passover in a time of spiritual renewal (2 Chronicles 29–30). 2. Second-Month Observance: Because they could not keep the Passover in the first month as prescribed in the Law of Moses, Hezekiah and his leaders agreed to celebrate it in the second month (2 Chronicles 30:2–3). This provision was permitted by earlier instructions (Numbers 9:10–11). 3. Extended Invitation: Hezekiah invited not only those in Judah but also remnants in the northern tribes (2 Chronicles 30:5–6). Those who came from the north joined in a particularly joyful gathering. Scripture notes the magnitude of this event: “So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for nothing like this had happened in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon son of David, king of Israel” (2 Chronicles 30:26). The reference to Solomon indicates it had been a very long time since such a celebration was observed so widely. However, the Chronicler does not say it was unsurpassed over all time; he points to its significance relative to recent history. Josiah’s Passover (2 Chronicles 35) Under King Josiah, the Passover became the centerpiece of an even more thorough revival: 1. Context of Renewal and Covenant: Josiah’s celebratory reforms happened after discovering the Book of the Law in the temple (2 Chronicles 34:14–19). He renewed the covenant before the people and removed idolatrous practices extensively (2 Chronicles 34:29–33). 2. Exact Timing and Rigor: Unlike Hezekiah’s Passover, Josiah’s observance was kept precisely in the first month (2 Chronicles 35:1). The care in following the prescribed time and ritual details is underscored in the text (2 Chronicles 35:4–6). 3. Comprehensive Organisation: Josiah’s Passover included meticulous orders for the priests, Levites, and the entire nation. The Chronicler emphasizes the extraordinary number of sacrifices and the level of organization that far exceeded prior celebrations (2 Chronicles 35:7–9). 4. All Israel Gathered: 2 Chronicles 35:18 speaks of “all Judah and Israel who were present,” highlighting a unity that hearkened back to times before the kingdom’s division. This wide participation may have been on a broader scale than Hezekiah’s event. Why the Comparison “Since the Days of Samuel”? The Chronicler’s statement in 2 Chronicles 35:18 that no Passover like Josiah’s “had been observed in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel” reflects distinct elements making Josiah’s Passover unique: 1. National Compliance at the Right Time: Samuel’s era preceded the monarchy when Israel was unified under a single spiritual authority. By tying Josiah’s Passover to Samuel’s time, the Chronicler affirms that Josiah’s celebration restored the nation to a level of obedience and unity that had not been seen collectively for centuries. 2. Fulness of the Prescribed Ritual: While Hezekiah’s Passover was great, it was held in the second month (2 Chronicles 30:2). Josiah’s was strictly in the first month, capturing the proper biblical timing (Exodus 12:2–3). He took pains to align every aspect of the Passover with the rediscovered Law. 3. Degree of Reformation: Josiah’s comprehensive purge of idols and commitment to the covenant may have been more thorough than in any prior era since Samuel. The text underscores he removed all forms of idolatry even beyond Judah’s borders (2 Chronicles 34:6–7), which suggests a deeper level of spiritual renewal. Hezekiah’s Passover Was Not Ignored The Chronicler does not contradict himself or “forget” Hezekiah’s grand Passover. Instead: • Different Standards of Comparison: In 2 Chronicles 30:26, the Chronicler compares Hezekiah’s Passover to celebrations in Jerusalem, specifically noting it was unmatched “since the days of Solomon.” In contrast, Josiah’s Passover is measured against a more ancient benchmark—“the days of the prophet Samuel”—emphasizing its alignment with the original heart of worship before any division of the kingdom. • According to Scriptural Precision: Josiah’s Passover is recognized as distinctive for its strict conformity to the Law’s requirements at the correct time (2 Chronicles 35:1). This factor sets it apart from Hezekiah’s, which, though it was devoutly undertaken, had necessary allowances that were less than ideal (for instance, Hezekiah’s second-month scheduling, 2 Chronicles 30:2). • Unity and Scope: Josiah’s reforms engaged Judah and remnants of Israel while also restoring the temple conduct to a more rigorous standard. Scholars (including references in The Works of Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10.4) note that the scale of nationwide alignment under Josiah may well have exceeded Hezekiah’s in certain respects such as full Levitical involvement and the quantity of offerings. Consistency of the Biblical Record The seeming discrepancy highlights the Chronicler’s emphasis on these two remarkably faithful kings rather than presenting an outright contradiction. Both Passovers were remarkable; each was “unmatched” within its own framework: • Hezekiah’s: A dramatic reawakening following significant neglect, with allowances necessitated by the people’s spiritual unreadiness (2 Chronicles 30:18–20). • Josiah’s: A pinnacle of devotion that restored the Passover to its exact biblical date and ritual purity and united the community on an unprecedented scale, reaching back to the days of Samuel (2 Chronicles 35:18). No manuscript tradition—including ancient Hebrew manuscripts, the Greek Septuagint, and the later Aramaic Targums—indicates an error in these verses. The strong manuscript evidence maintained through transmission (as explained in multiple scholarly analyses of the Hebrew text) consistently preserves these statements, demonstrating that the Chronicler unambiguously recorded both events. Conclusion The statement in 2 Chronicles 35:18 points to the unique qualities of Josiah’s Passover, not a deliberate overlooking of Hezekiah’s. Both celebrations were noteworthy in their own contexts. Hezekiah’s Passover, although extraordinarily joyous, involved certain irregularities (like the second-month observance) and occurred at a time of spiritual renewal that was still building momentum. Josiah’s Passover, in contrast, came after a comprehensive rediscovery of the Law, took place in the prescribed first month, and united a broad constituency of the people. By measuring Josiah’s feast as the greatest “since the days of Samuel,” the Chronicler underscores its exceptional thoroughness and faithful adherence to the commands originally handed down to Moses, thereby harmonizing both accounts under the consistent testimony of Scripture. |
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