2 Chronicles 35:18
New International Version
The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
Never since the time of the prophet Samuel had there been such a Passover. None of the kings of Israel had ever kept a Passover as Josiah did, involving all the priests and Levites, all the people of Jerusalem, and people from all over Judah and Israel.

English Standard Version
No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Berean Standard Bible
No such Passover had been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present, and the people of Jerusalem.

King James Bible
And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

New King James Version
There had been no Passover kept in Israel like that since the days of Samuel the prophet; and none of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as Josiah kept, with the priests and the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
There had not been a Passover celebrated like it in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet; nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
There had not been celebrated a Passover like it in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet; nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
And there had not been celebrated a Passover like it in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet; nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
And there had not been celebrated a Passover like it in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated such a Passover as Josiah celebrated with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
No Passover like it had been celebrated in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet; nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Christian Standard Bible
No Passover had been observed like it in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present in Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No Passover had been observed like it in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present in Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Contemporary English Version
People from Jerusalem and from towns all over Judah and Israel were there. Passover had not been observed like this since the days of Samuel the prophet. In fact, this was the greatest Passover celebration in Israel's history!

English Revised Version
And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never had a Passover like this been celebrated in Israel during the time of the prophet Samuel or the kings of Israel. They did not celebrate the Passover as Josiah celebrated it with priests, Levites, all of Judah, the people of Israel who could be found, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
Since the days of the prophet Samuel, the Passover had never been celebrated like this. None of the former kings had ever celebrated a Passover like this one celebrated by King Josiah, the priests, the Levites, and the people of Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem

International Standard Version
There had not been a Passover celebration like it in Israel since Samuel the prophet was alive, nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated a Passover like Josiah did at that time with the priests, the descendants of Levi, everyone from Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
No such Passover had been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present, and the people of Jerusalem.

NET Bible
A Passover like this had not been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had observed a Passover like the one celebrated by Josiah, the priests, the Levites, all the people of Judah and Israel who were there, and the residents of Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there was no passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

World English Bible
There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet, nor did any of the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept—with the priests, the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there has not been made a Passover like it in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet, and none of the kings of Israel made such a Passover as Josiah has made, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who are found, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation
And there hath not been made a passover like it in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet, and none of the kings of Israel made such a passover as Josiah hath made, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who are found, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Smith's Literal Translation
And a passover as this was not done in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; and all the kings of Israel did not like the passover which Josiah did, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel being found, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There was no phase like to this in Israel, from the days of Samuel the prophet: neither did any of all the kings of Israel keep such a phase as Josias kept, with the priests, and the Levites, and all Juda, and Israel that were found, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
There was no Passover similar to this one in Israel, from the days of Samuel the prophet. And neither did anyone, out of all the kings of Israel, keep such a Passover as did Josiah, the priests and Levites, and all those of Judah and Israel who had been found, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

New American Bible
No such Passover had been observed in Israel since the time of Samuel the prophet; no king of Israel had observed a Passover like that celebrated by Josiah, the priests, and Levites, all of Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
No passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; none of the kings of Israel had kept such a passover as was kept by Josiah, by the priests and the Levites, by all Judah and Israel who were present, and by the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests and the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were present in Jerusalem.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For the feast had not been made in Israel like that from the days of Samuel the Prophet, and all the Kings of Israel had not done like that Passover that Yoshiah did, and the Priests and the Levites and all Yehuda and Israel who present were in Jerusalem.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there was no passover like it in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet, or any king of Israel: they kept not such a passover as Josias, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Juda and Israel that were present, and the dwellers in Jerusalem, kept to the Lord.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Josiah Restores the Passover
17The Israelites who were present also observed the Passover at that time, as well as the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. 18No such Passover had been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah, the Israelites who were present, and the people of Jerusalem. 19In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, this Passover was observed.…

Cross References
2 Kings 23:21-23
The king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover of the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” / 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. / But in the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, this Passover was observed to the LORD in Jerusalem.

Exodus 12:1-28
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. ...

Deuteronomy 16:1-8
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. ...

1 Kings 9:25
Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.

2 Chronicles 30:1-27
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. ...

Leviticus 23:4-8
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. ...

Numbers 9:1-14
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.” ...

Ezra 6:19-22
On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles kept the Passover. / All the priests and Levites had purified themselves and were ceremonially clean. And the Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their priestly brothers, and for themselves. / The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to seek the LORD, the God of Israel. ...

Matthew 26:17-19
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.

Mark 14:12-16
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?’ ...

Luke 22:7-13
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. ...

John 2:13-23
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. ...

John 13:1-30
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. / The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. / Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God. ...

Acts 12:3-4
And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. / He arrested him and put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

1 Corinthians 5:7-8
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.


Treasury of Scripture

And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

there was no passover

2 Chronicles 30:5
So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

2 Kings 23:21-23
And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant…

neither did

2 Chronicles 30:26,27
So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem…

Jump to Previous
Celebrated Inhabitants Israel Jerusalem Josiah Judah Kept Kings Levites Passover Present Priests Prophet Samuel
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Celebrated Inhabitants Israel Jerusalem Josiah Judah Kept Kings Levites Passover Present Priests Prophet Samuel
2 Chronicles 35
1. Josiah keeps a most solemn Passover
20. He provoking Pharaoh Neco, is slain at Megiddo
25. Lamentations for Josiah














No Passover like it
This phrase emphasizes the unparalleled nature of the Passover celebration under King Josiah. The Hebrew root for "Passover" is "Pesach," which signifies a pivotal event in Jewish history, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Josiah's Passover was extraordinary, not just in its adherence to the Law but in its spiritual fervor and national unity. This highlights Josiah's commitment to restoring true worship and obedience to God, setting a standard for future generations.

had been observed in Israel
The historical context here is crucial. The Passover had been a central observance since the Exodus, yet over time, its practice had waned, especially during periods of idolatry and apostasy. The phrase underscores a return to foundational religious practices, reflecting a revival of faith and national identity. Josiah's reforms were not merely ritualistic but a heartfelt return to covenantal faithfulness.

since the days of Samuel the prophet
Samuel represents a time of spiritual leadership and transition from the period of the judges to the monarchy. His era was marked by a return to God and a rejection of idolatry. By referencing Samuel, the text draws a parallel between Josiah's reforms and the spiritual renewal under Samuel's guidance, suggesting a return to a purer form of worship and governance.

none of the kings of Israel had ever observed
This phrase highlights the failure of previous kings to uphold the Passover with the same zeal and adherence to the Law. It serves as a critique of the spiritual neglect that had characterized much of Israel's monarchy. Josiah's observance stands out as a beacon of faithfulness, contrasting with the spiritual decline of his predecessors.

a Passover like the one that Josiah observed
Josiah's observance is noted for its meticulous adherence to the Law of Moses, as well as its inclusivity and scale. The Hebrew word for "observed" implies careful attention and dedication. Josiah's leadership inspired a collective return to God, demonstrating the power of godly leadership in effecting national spiritual renewal.

with the priests, the Levites
The involvement of the priests and Levites is significant, as they were the custodians of the Law and temple worship. Their participation indicates a restoration of proper religious order and function. This collaboration between the king and religious leaders underscores the unity necessary for true spiritual revival.

all Judah and Israel who were present
This phrase signifies the inclusivity of the celebration, extending beyond the southern kingdom of Judah to include remnants of the northern kingdom of Israel. It symbolizes a reunification of God's people under the covenant, transcending past divisions and reflecting a collective return to God.

and the people of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, as the spiritual and political center, plays a crucial role in this narrative. The participation of its inhabitants signifies a communal commitment to the reforms initiated by Josiah. It highlights the importance of the capital in setting a spiritual example for the rest of the nation.

(18) And there was no Passover like to that.--2Kings 23:22.

From the days of Samuel the prophet--Kings, "from the days of the judges that judged Israel," of whom Samuel was the last and greatest (1Samuel 7:15).

Neither did all the kings of Israel.--Kings, "and (from) all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah." (Comp. 2chron xxx 26).

And the priests . . . Jerusalem.--Not in Kings. A characteristic addition.

Israel that were present.--Rather, Israel that was present, i.e., the remnant who had come from the ruined kingdom of the ten tribes. (Comp. 2Chronicles 34:33).

Verse 18. - Upon this verse Professor Murphy says, "The Passover in Hezekiah's time was great (2 Chronicles 30:26), but this was greater. For it was kept on the proper day in the first month, and was not a mere supplementary Passover; it was observed with due regularity, and not by worshippers some of whom were unclean; and if we allow thirteen persons for each lamb or kid, there were upwards of half a million communicants; while, so far as we know, there were only seventeen thousand sheep presented by Hezekiah and his princes (2 Chronicles 30:24), which would not supply more than half the number of partakers.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
No
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

such
כָּמֹ֙הוּ֙ (kā·mō·hū)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3644: Like, as, when

Passover
פֶ֤סַח (p̄e·saḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6453: A pretermission, exemption, Passover

had been observed
נַעֲשָׂ֨ה (na·‘ă·śāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

in Israel
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

since the days
מִימֵ֖י (mî·mê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of Samuel
שְׁמוּאֵ֣ל (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

the prophet.
הַנָּבִ֑יא (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

None
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of the kings
מַלְכֵ֣י (mal·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל ׀ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

ever observed
עָשׂ֡וּ (‘ā·śū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a Passover
כַּפֶּ֣סַח (kap·pe·saḥ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6453: A pretermission, exemption, Passover

like the one that
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Josiah
יֹֽ֠אשִׁיָּהוּ (yō·šî·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2977: Josiah -- 'Yah supports', two Israelites

observed
עָשָׂ֣ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

with the priests,
וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֨ים (wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

the Levites,
וְהַלְוִיִּ֤ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Judah,
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

the Israelites
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל (wə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

who were present,
הַנִּמְצָ֔א (han·nim·ṣā)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

and the people
וְיוֹשְׁבֵ֖י (wə·yō·wō·šə·ḇê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 35:18 There was no Passover like that kept (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 35:17
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