2 chronicles 35:6 - Kill the Passover, sanctify yourselves, and prepare for your brothers, to do according to Yahweh’s word by Moses.”

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 35:6

What does "2 chronicles 35:6" mean?


This verse is part of the account of King Josiah's great Passover celebration in 2 Chronicles 35. To understand it, let's break it down phrase by phrase:

"Kill the Passover..." This refers to the ritual slaughter of the Passover lambs or kids (young goats). The Passover sacrifice was a central part of the Passover observance, commemorating God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, where the Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and spread the blood on their doorposts so God would know to pass them over from the final plague he sent to Egypt.

"...sanctify yourselves..." This is a call to ritual purification. Before participating in sacred rites like the Passover, people were required to cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually. This involved washing, abstaining from things considered unclean, and preparing their hearts to meet with God. The priests and Levites were particularly responsible for ensuring their own sanctification and assisting others.

"...and prepare for your brothers..." This emphasizes the communal aspect of the Passover. The Levites were responsible for preparing the Passover offering not just for themselves but for all the people of Israel ("your brothers"). This likely involved helping families with the sacrifice and ensuring everyone had what they needed to participate properly.

"...to do according to Yahweh's word by Moses." This is the key. Everything they were doing was to be done in strict adherence to the instructions God gave Moses in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). This highlighted the importance of obedience to God's law and the restoration of true worship after periods of neglect.

In essence, the verse calls the Levites to:

1. Perform the Passover sacrifice properly.
2. Ensure they and the people are ritually pure.
3. Serve the people by helping them observe the Passover.
4. Do all of this according to God's commandments.

Significance in Context:

This verse is significant because it occurs during King Josiah's reign, a time of religious reform in Judah. He rediscovered the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) and initiated a widespread effort to remove idolatry and restore the worship of Yahweh according to the Law of Moses. This Passover celebration was a central part of that reform, demonstrating Josiah's commitment to obeying God's word and leading the nation back to faithfulness. The meticulous attention to detail and the emphasis on following the Law indicate a desire to restore the Passover to its proper place as a celebration of God's covenant with Israel.