What does 2 Kings 23:21 mean?
"¶ 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." - 2 Kings 23:21
The Bible verse 2 Kings 23:21 from the King James Version reads, "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." This verse is part of the story of King Josiah's religious reforms and the rediscovery of the Book of the Law in the temple.
To provide context, King Josiah became king of Judah at a young age after the assassination of his father, King Amon. He ruled during a tumultuous time in Judah's history, marked by the decline of the kingdom and the rise of foreign influence and idolatry. In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah sent his secretary to the temple to collect money for repairing the temple. However, during this time, the Book of the Law, which had been forgotten and neglected, was found. When Josiah heard the words of the Law, he was greatly distressed because he realized that the people had not been following the commandments of the Lord.
After hearing the Book of the Law, Josiah initiated several reforms to bring the people of Judah back to the worship of the one true God. One of these reforms included the reinstatement of the Passover, which had not been observed properly in many years. This is the event referenced in 2 Kings 23:21, where Josiah commands the people to keep the Passover according to the instructions written in the Book of the Law.
The theme of this verse is one of repentance, rediscovery, and renewal. Josiah's reaction to hearing the words of the Book of the Law demonstrates a deep sense of remorse for the sins of the people and a desire to reconcile with God. By reinstating the Passover and instructing the people to observe it as it was written in the covenant, Josiah is leading the nation in a return to the foundational principles of their faith.
This verse also highlights the importance of following God's commands as written in the scriptures. The Book of the Law had been neglected and forgotten for so long, and the people had strayed from their covenant with God as a result. However, upon its rediscovery, Josiah immediately commands the people to follow the instructions written in the Book of the Law, demonstrating a commitment to obedience and faithfulness to God's word.
Furthermore, the reinstatement of the Passover carries deep symbolism. The Passover was a central event in the history of the Israelites, commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. By observing the Passover, the people were not only obeying God's commandments but also reaffirming their identity as the chosen people of God.
In a broader context, this verse speaks to the power of spiritual revival and the possibility of renewal even in the midst of moral and spiritual decay. The rediscovery of the Book of the Law and the reforms initiated by Josiah brought about a significant turning point in the history of Judah, demonstrating that it is never too late to return to God and seek forgiveness.
In conclusion, 2 Kings 23:21 from the King James Version captures a pivotal moment in the religious reforms initiated by King Josiah. It emphasizes the themes of repentance, obedience to God's word, and the power of spiritual renewal. The reinstatement of the Passover serves as a symbol of the nation's return to God and a reaffirmation of their identity as His chosen people. This verse conveys a powerful message about the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments and the possibility of spiritual revival even in the face of moral and spiritual decline.
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2 Kings 23:21 Artwork
2 Kings 23:21 - "¶ 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."
"¶ 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." - 2 Kings 23:21
2 Kings 21:23 - "¶ And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house."
"¶ And the servants of Amon conspired against him, and slew the king in his own house." - 2 Kings 21:23
2 Kings 2:21
2 Kings 23:23 - "But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem."
1 Kings 21:23 - "And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel."
2 samuel 23:8-21
2 Kings 8:23 - "And the rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 23:22 - "Surely there was not holden 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;"
2 Kings 15:21 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Menahem, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 23:28 - "Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 3:23 - "And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil."
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 21:10 - "¶ And the LORD spake by his servants the prophets, saying,"
2 Kings 21:21 - "And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:"
2 Kings 23:1 - "And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem."
2 Kings 11:21 - "Seven years old was Jehoash when he began to reign."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 9:23 - "And Joram turned his hands, and fled, and said to Ahaziah, There is treachery, O Ahaziah."
2 Chronicles 23:21 - "And all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet, after that they had slain Athaliah with the sword."
2 Kings 21:22 - "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."
"But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem." - 2 Kings 23:23
2 Kings 21:5 - "And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD."
2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."
1 Kings 2:21 - "And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah thy brother to wife."
2 Kings 21:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel."
2 Kings 3:21 - "¶ And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border."
2 Kings 23:37 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done."