2 Chronicles 30:3

Verse

since they had been unable to observe it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem.

American Standard Version (1901)

For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

Bible in Basic English

It was not possible to keep it at that time, because not enough priests had made themselves holy, and the people had not come together in Jerusalem.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For they could not keep it in its time; because there were not priests enough sanctified, and the people was not as yet gathered together to Jerusalem.

Free Bible Version

because they hadn't been able to observe it at the usual time since not enough priests had purified themselves and the people hadn't had time to get to Jerusalem.

Geneva Bible 1599

For they could not keepe it at this time, because there were not Priests enow sanctified, neither was the people gathered to Ierusalem.

King James (Authorized) Version

For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They could not celebrate at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves for the celebration and the people had not gathered together in Jerusalem.

Noah Webster Bible

For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people assembled themselves at Jerusalem.

World English Bible

For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient number, and the people had not gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation

for they have not been able to make it at that time, for the priests have not sanctified themselves sufficiently, and the people have not been gathered to Jerusalem.

Context

Hezekiah Proclaims a Passover

²For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month,³since they had been unable to observe it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem.

Sermons

The Lord Stirred Up the Spirit of Cyrus.

F.B. Meyer

Summary

This verse highlights King Hezekiah's desire to restore the Passover celebration in Judah, following the commands of the Law given by Moses. Despite the neglect of this important feast in previous years, Hezekiah's commitment to honoring God's ordinances demonstrates his dedication to reviving the spiritual life of the nation. By calling the people to return to the Lord and participate in the Passover, Hezekiah seeks to renew their covenant relationship with God and reestablish the worship practices prescribed in Scripture.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

For they could not keep it at the time,.... In the month Nisan, as the Targum adds, on the fourteenth day of the month, as the law enjoined, because the cleansing of the temple was not finished until the sixteenth day, see Ch2 29:17 and, besides this, two other reasons follow: because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently; that is, a sufficient number of them were not sanctified, to slay all the passover lambs the people that came to the feast would want: neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem; they had no notice of it, nor summons for it; and it was required that, at such a time, all the males in the land should appear at Jerusalem; but this custom having been long disused, it required time to acquaint them of the revival of it.