2 Chronicles 30:2 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּוָּעַ֨ץ הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ וְשָׂרָ֛יו וְכָל־ הַקָּהָ֖ל בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הַפֶּ֖סַח בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִֽי׃
BSAFor the kingmelek [and his princes, ruler] and his officialssar [leaders, captains] and the wholekôl assemblyqâhâl [congregation, group of people] in JerusalemYᵉrûwshâlaim [the city of peace, capital of Palestine] had decidedyâʻats▸ [taken counsel, made a plan] to keepʻâsâh [observe, celebrate] the Passoverpeçach [the Jewish festival, a time of remembrance] in the secondshênîy [another, next] monthchôdesh [a period of time, a lunar cycle]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּוָּעַ֨ץ | and he had taken counsel | Verb, Niphal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ | the king | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְשָׂרָ֛יו | and officials his | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וְכָל־ | and all | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| הַקָּהָ֖ל | the assembly | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם | in Jerusalem | Preposition, noun proper |
| לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת | to observe | Preposition, verb qal infinitive construct common |
| הַפֶּ֖סַח | the passover | Particle, noun |
| בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ | in the month | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| הַשֵּׁנִֽי׃ | second | Particle |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, |
| KJV | For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. |
| ASV | For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. |
| YLT | And the king taketh counsel, and his heads, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to make the passover in the second month, |
| WEB | For the king had taken counsel with his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem to keep the Passover in the second month. |
| BBE | For the king, after discussion with his chiefs and all the body of the people in Jerusalem, had made a decision to keep the Passover in the second month. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of יָעַץ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has one main clause with two subordinate phrases detailing the decision and its timing.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbיָעַץ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Chronicles 30:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Preparation for Passovergenerated
2 Chronicles 30:2 describes how King Hezekiah, along with his officials and the entire assembly in Jerusalem, made a significant decision to celebrate the Passover in the second month. This decision was made due to the lack of preparation and gathering of priests and people in time for the regular observance. The context emphasizes the importance of communal worship and adherence to religious traditions, as seen in the larger narrative of Hezekiah's reforms.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 13:1–3 | Then David conferred with all his leaders, the commanders of hundreds and of thousands. |
| 2 | Proverbs 11:14 | For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance. |
| 3 | Proverbs 15:22 | Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 4:13 | Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take a warning. |
| 5 | Numbers 9:10–11 | “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any one of you or your descendants is unclean because of a dead body, or is away on a journey, he may still observe the Passover to the LORD. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 5 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָעַץ, vai.yi.va.'Atzgenerated
The verb יָעַץ (ya`ats) means to advise or counsel, indicating a process of deliberation and planning. It is in the Niphal stem, which often conveys a passive sense, suggesting that the king and his officials were receiving guidance in their decision-making.
This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing the importance of counsel in leadership. The parsing indicates a sequential imperfect action, showing that the decision was made as part of an ongoing process of consultation and planning.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
Translations generally agree on the meaning of the key terms in this verse.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the sentence is יָעַץ, he had taken counsel, which governs the noun phrases that follow: the king, his officials, and the assembly. The structure emphasizes the collective decision-making process.
The order of the Hebrew words places the king and his officials at the forefront, highlighting their leadership role in the decision to observe the Passover.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָעַץ as ἐβουλεύσατο (ebouleusato), which means 'he took counsel.' This choice reflects a similar emphasis on the act of deliberation and planning.
The use of this Greek term aligns with the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the idea of seeking guidance and making a collective decision.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Chronicles 30:2 tells us that King Hezekiah and his officials decided to keep the Passover in the second month because they were unable to do so at the regular time. This shows their commitment to honoring the festival despite the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
They were unable to observe it at the regular time due to a lack of prepared priests and gathered people.
To take counsel means to seek advice and make a decision based on discussion and planning.
The decision involved King Hezekiah, his officials, and the whole assembly in Jerusalem.
The Passover is a Jewish festival that commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and is a time of remembrance and celebration.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I seek counsel from others when making important decisions?
- How can I ensure that my community comes together to observe important traditions?
- What lessons can I learn from Hezekiah's leadership in this passage?
- How do I celebrate significant moments in my life, similar to the observance of Passover?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Chronicles 30:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem,.... He and his nobles, and the great sanhedrim or senate of the nation, had consulted together: to keep the
Read John Gill on 2 Chronicles 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryFor the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Chronicles 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhich was against the common rule and practice, but was justified by that supreme law of necessity, and by a just impediment, which made the doing of this in its proper time, to wit, the fourteenth day of the first month, impossible, because the temple was not cleansed nor they prepared till that time was past, ,17. Compare ,11.
Read Matthew Poole on 2 Chronicles 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments2 Chronicles 30:2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.Ver. 2. To keep the passover in the second month.] He knew that nunquam sero si serio. See Numbers 9:10. If we can but say, with Augustine, Nimis sero te amavi Domine, all shall do well.
Read John Trapp on 2 Chronicles 30 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) For the king had taken counsel.—And the king determined (2 Chronicles 25:17). The resolution was taken by the king in council with his grandees and the popular representatives; apparently before the 14th of Nisan, which was the proper time for keeping the feast. In the second month.—And not in the first month of the sacred year, as the law prescribes (Numbers 9:1-5). The grounds of the postponement are assigned in the next verse, viz., the legal impurity of many of the priests, and the non-arrival of the people at the proper time. The law permits postponement to the second month in such cases (Numbers 9:6-11). The first month was Nisan; Assyr., Nisdnu; the second, Iyyar; Assyr., Âru.
Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Chronicles 30 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. In the second month.] In Ijar, as they could not celebrate it in Nisan, the fourteenth of which month was the proper time. But as they could not complete the purgation of the temple, till the sixteenth of that month, therefore they were obliged to hold it now, or else adjourn it till the next year, which would have been fatal to that spirit of reformation which had now taken place. The law itself had given permission to those who were at a distance, and could not attend to the fourteenth of the first month, and to those who were accidentally defiled, and ought not to attend, to celebrate the passover on the fourteenth of the second month; see Numbers 9:10-11. Hezekiah therefore…
Read AdamClarke on 2 Chronicles 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. in the second month] The Law allowed such a postponement; cp. Numbers 9:10-11.
Read Cambridge on 2 Chronicles 30 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleIn the second month - Hezekiah and his counselors considered that the permission of the Law (see the marginal reference) might, under the circumstances, be extended to the whole people.
Read Albert Barnes on 2 Chronicles 30 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month,
For the king had taken counsel with his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem to keep the Passover in the second month.
For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month,
The king, his officials, and the entire assembly in Jerusalem decided to observe the Passover in the second month.
Tyndale line
For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
And the King and his princes and all the Congregation had taken counsel in Ierusalem to keepe the Passeouer in the second moneth.
Strictly literal
And the king took counsel, and his princes, and the whole congregation in Jerusalem, to hold the passover in the second month.
And the king taketh counsel, and his heads, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to make the passover in the second month,
And the king takes counsel, and his heads, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to make the Passover in the second month,
And the king held a consultation, as also his princes, and all the assembly in Jerusalem, to prepare the passover-sacrifice in the second month.
For the king, his leaders, and all the assembly in Jerusalem had consulted together, deciding to celebrate the Passover in the second month.
From the Latin
For the king, taking counsel, and the princes, and all the assembly of Jerusalem, decreed to keep the phase the second month.
Simplified
The king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to observe the Passover in the second month,
For the king, after discussion with his chiefs and all the body of the people in Jerusalem, had made a decision to keep the Passover in the second month.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with no significant variations. Both texts convey the same essential message regarding the decision to observe the Passover.
וַיִּוָּעַ֨ץ הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ וְשָׂרָ֛יו וְכָל־ הַקָּהָ֖ל בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הַפֶּ֖סַח בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִֽי׃
10 of the 10 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Chronicles 30:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
יָעַץ (ya`ats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to advise or counsel. It encompasses various forms, including advising, consulting, and deliberating, with nuances in different stems such as Qal, Niphal, and Hithpael. The word can also imply conspiracy in certain contexts. The entries suggest a focus on guidance and decision-making.
יָעַץ vb. advise, counsel
Qal advise, counsel
Niph. consult together, exchange counsel
Hithp. conspire against
base
H3289 יָעַץ advise, counsel
3289 ya`ats yaw-ats'
a primitive root; to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or
resolve:--advertise, take advise, advise (well), consult,
(give, take) counsel(-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.
יָעַץ (ya.ats) — to advise.
1) to advise, consult, give counsel, counsel, purpose, devise, plan
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to advise, counsel, give counsel, consult
1a2) counsellor (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to consult together, exchange counsel, deliberate, counsel together
1c) (Hithpael) to conspire
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/VNw3ms
→ General scriptures concerning Pr 1:5; 9:9; 11:14; 12:15; 15:22; 19:20; 20:18; 24:6; 27:9
→ See PRUDENCE
→ REJECTED Pr 1:24-33
(1) The importance of Seeking
Pr 11:14; 12:15; 13:10; 15:22; 20:18
--SEE Instruction (1), INSTRUCTION
Guidance, (3), GUIDANCE
Counsellors, COUNSELLORS
(2) Wise, Examples of
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
King
Is in Scripture very generally used to denote one invested with authority, whether extensive or limited. There were thirty-one kings in Canaan (Josh. 12:9, 24), whom Joshua subdued. Adonibezek subdued seventy kings (Judg. 1:7). In the New Testament the Roman emperor is spoken of as a king (1 Pet. 2:13, 17); and Herod Antipas, who was only a tetrarch, is also called a king (Matt. 14:9; Mark 6:22).
This title is applied to God (1 Tim. 1:17), and to Christ, the Son of God (1 Tim. 6:15, 16;
"a chief ruler, one invested with supreme authority over a nation, tribe or country." --Webster. In the Bible the word does not necessarily imply great power or great extent of country. Many persons are called kings whom we should rather call chiefs or leaders. The word is applied in the Bible to God as the sovereign and ruler of the universe, and to Christ the Son of God as the head and governor of the Church. The Hebrews were ruled by a king during a period of about 500 years previous to the destruction of Jerusalem, B.C. 586. The immediate occasion of the substitution of a regal form of government for that of judges seems to have been the siege of Jabesh-gilead by Nahash king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1; 12:12) The conviction seems to have forced itself on the Israelites that they could not resist their formidable neighbor…
שַׂר (sar) refers to a leader or ruler, encompassing a range of meanings from prince and chief to official and captain. It denotes various ranks, including military commanders and religious leaders, and can also imply a noble or merchant of high status. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to rule'.
שַׂר 420 n.m. chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
base
H8269 שַׂר chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince
8269 sar sar
from 8323; a head person (of any rank or class):--captain
(that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper,
lord, ((-task- ))master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward.
see HEBREW for 08323
שַׂר (sar) — ruler.
1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain
1a) chieftain, leader
1b) vassal, noble, official (under king)
1c) captain, general, commander (military)
1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes)
1e) heads, princes (of religious office)
1f) elders (of representative leaders of people)
1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity)
1h) patron-angel
1i) Ruler of rulers (of God)
1j) warden
Conj | N-mp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
קָהָל (qahal) refers to an assembly or congregation, often used in contexts like religious gatherings or groups formed for specific purposes, including war or counsel. It is derived from a root meaning to assemble. The term encompasses various forms of organized groups, including returning exiles.
קָהָל 123 n.m. assembly, convocation, congregation
base
H6951 קָהָל assembly, convocation, congregation
6951 qahal kaw-hawl'
from 6950; assemblage (usually concretely):--assembly,
company, congregation, multitude.
see HEBREW for 06950
קָהָל (qa.hal) — assembly.
1) assembly, company, congregation, convocation
1a) assembly
1a1) for evil counsel, war or invasion, religious purposes
1b) company (of returning exiles)
1c) congregation
1c1) as organised body
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
a-sem'-bli (qahal; ekklesia): The common term for a meeting of the people called together by a crier. It has reference therefore to any gathering of the people called for any purpose whatsoever (Ex 12:6; Ps 22:16 the King James Version; Ps 89:7 the King James Version; Ac 19:32,41). The solemn assemblies of the Jews were their feasts or religious gatherings of any kind (Isa 1:13). The word paneguris, "a general festal assembly" (Heb 12:23), is transferred from the congregation of the people of Israel to the Christian church of which the congregation of Israel was a…
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם (Yruwshalaim) refers to Jerusalem, the capital city of Palestine. The name is thought to derive from terms meaning 'founded peaceful' and is linked to its two main hills. It is described as the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah.
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם, יְרוּשָׁלַ֫יִם 644 n.pr.loc. Jerusalem
base
H3389 יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫͏ם, יְרוּשָׁלַ֫יִם Jerusalem
3389 Yruwshalaim yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im
rarely Yruwshalayim {yer-oo- shaw-lah'-yim}; a dual (in
allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of
the former reading, seems to be that of 3390)); probably from
(the passive participle of) 3384 and 7999; founded peaceful;
Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of
Palestine:--Jerusalem.
see HEBREW for 03390
see HEBREW for 03384
see HEBREW for 07999
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם (ye.ru.sha.laim) — Jerusalem.
§ Jerusalem = "teaching of peace"
the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
je-roo'-sa-lem:
I. THE NAME
1. In Cuneiform
2. In Hebrew
3. In Greek and Latin
4. The Meaning of Jerusalem
5. Other Names
II. GEOLOGY, CLIMATE AND SPRINGS
1. Geology
2. Climate and Rainfall
3. The Natural Springs
III. THE NATURAL SITE
1. The Mountains Around
2. The Valleys
3. The Hills
IV. GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY OF JERUSALEM
1. Description of Josephus
2. Summary of the Names of the Five Hills
3. The Akra
4. The Lower City
5. City of David and Zion
V. EXCAVATIONS AND ANTIQUITIES
1. Robinson
2. Wilson, and the Palestine Exploration Fund (1865)
3. Warren and Conder
4. Maudslay
5. Schick
6. Clermont-Ganneau
7. Bliss and Dickie
8. Jerusalem Archaeological Societies
VI. THE CITY'S WALLS AND GATES
1. The Existing Walls
2. Wilson's Theory
3. The Existing Gates
4. Buried Remains of Earlier Walls
5. The Great Dam of the Tyropoeon
6. Ruins of Ancient Gates
7. Josephus' Description of the Walls
8. First Wall
9. Second Wall
10. Third Wall
Jerusalem
Called also Salem, Ariel, Jebus, the “city of God,” the “holy city;” by the modern Arabs el-Khuds, meaning “the holy;” once “the city of Judah” (2 Chr. 25:28). This name is in the original in the dual form, and means “possession of peace,” or “foundation of peace.” The dual form probably refers to the two mountains on which it was built, viz., Zion and Moriah; or, as some suppose, to the two parts of the city, the “upper” and the “lower city.” Jerusalem is a “mountain city enthroned on a mountain fastness” (comp. Ps. 68:15, 16; 87:1; 125:2; 76:1, 2; 122:3). It stands on the edge of one of the highest table-lands in Palestine, and is surrounded on the south-eastern, the southern, and the western sides by deep and precipitous ravines.
(the habitation of peace), Jerusalem stands in latitude 31 degrees 46’ 35" north and longitude 35 degrees 18’ 30" east of Greenwich. It is 32 miles distant from the sea and 18 from the Jordan, 20 from Hebron and 36 from Samaria. "In several respects," says Dean Stanley, "its situation is singular among the cities of Palestine. Its elevation is remarkable; occasioned not from its being on the summit of one of the numerous hills of Judea, like most of the towns and villages, but because it is on the edge of one of the highest table-lands of the country. Hebron indeed is higher still by some hundred feet, and from the south, accordingly (even from Bethlehem), the approach to Jerusalem is by a slight descent. But from any other side the ascent is perpetual; and to the traveller approaching the city from the east or west it must always have presented the appearance beyond any other capital…
The chief city of the Holy Land, and to the Christian the most illustrious in the world. It is situated in 31 degrees 46’43" N. lat., and 35 degrees 13’ E. long. on elevated ground south of the center of the country, about thirty-seven miles from the Mediterranean, and about twenty-four from the Jordan. Its site was early hallowed by God’s trial of Abraham’s faith, Ge 22:1-24 2Ch 3:1. It was on the border of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, mostly within the limits of the former, but reckoned as belonging to the latter, because conquered by it, Jos 15:8 18:16,28 Jud 1:18. The most ancient name of the city was Salem, Ge…
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
1a2c) to prepare
1a2d) to make (an offering)
1a2e) to attend to, put in order
1a2f) to observe, celebrate
1a2g) to acquire (property)
1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute
1a2i) to bring about
1a2j) to use
1a2k) to spend, pass
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be done
1b2) to be made
1b3) to be produced
1b4) to be offered
1b5) to be observed
1b6) to be used
1c) (Pual) to be made
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: make(OBJECT)
1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do, work, make, produce
1a1a) to do
1a1b) to work
1a1c) to deal (with)
1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect
1a2) to make
1a2a) to make
1a2b) to produce
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct commonHR/Vqcc
ob-zurv' (representing various words, but chiefly shamar, "to keep," "to watch" etc.): Properly means "to take heed to," as in Isa 42:20, "Thou seest many things, but thou observest not" and from this sense all the usages of the word in English Versions of the Bible can be understood. Most of them, indeed are quite good modern usage (as "observe a feast," Ex 12:17, etc.; "observe a law" Le 19:37, etc.), but a few are archaic. So Ge 37:11, the King James Version "His father observed the saying" (the Revised Version (British and American) "kept the saying in mind"); Ho 13:7, "As a leopard .... will I observe them" (the…
פֶּ֫סַח (pesach) refers to the Passover, encompassing the sacrifice associated with it, the animal victim, and the festival itself. It is derived from a root meaning 'exemption' and is used specifically in the context of the Jewish Passover. The term is also linked to the Greek word 'pascha'.
פֶּ֫סַח n.m. passover
sacrifice of passover, involving communion meal, hence a species of peace-offering
the animal victim of the passover
festival of the passover
base
H6453 פֶּ֫סַח passover . sacrifice of passover, involving communion meal, hence a species of peace-offering
. the animal victim of the passover
. festival of the passover
6453 pecach peh'-sakh
from 6452; a pretermission, i.e. exemption; used only
techically of the Jewish Passover (the festival or the
victim):--passover (offering).
see HEBREW for 06452
פֶּ֫סַח (pe.sach) — Passover.
Passover,
1a) sacrifice of passover
1b) animal victim of the passover
1c) festival of the passover
Also named: pascha (πάσχα "Passover lamb" G3957)
Art | N-ms — Particle · nounHTd/Ntmsa
pas'-o-ver (pecach, from pacach, "to pass" or "spring over" or "to spare" (Ex 12:13,23,17; compare Isa 31:5. Other conjectures connect the word with the "passing over" into a new year, with assyr pasahu, meaning "to placate," with Hebrew pacah, meaning "to dance," and even with the skipping motions of a young lamb; Aramaic [~paccha', whence Greek Pascha; whence English "paschal." In early Christian centuries folk-etymology connected pascha with Greek pascho, "to suffer" (see PASSION), and the word was taken to refer to Good Friday rather than the Passover):
1. Pecach and Matstsoth
2. Pecach mitsrayim
3. Pecach doroth
4. Matstsoth
5. The `Omer
6. Non-traditional Theories
7. The Higher Criticism
8. Historical Celebrations: Old Testament Times
9. Historical Celebrations: New Testament Times
Passover
The name given to the chief of the three great historical annual festivals of the Jews. It was kept in remembrance of the Lord’s passing over the houses of the Israelites (Ex. 12:13) when the first born of all the Egyptians were destroyed. It is called also the “feast of unleavened bread” (Ex. 23:15; Mark 14:1; Acts 12:3), because during its celebration no leavened bread was to be eaten or even kept in the household (Ex. 12:15). The word afterwards came to denote the lamb that was slain at the feast (Mark 14:12-14;
the first of the three great annual festivals of the Israelites celebrated in the month Nisan (March-April, from the 14th to the 21st. (Strictly speaking the Passover only applied to the paschal supper and the feast of unleavened bread followed, which was celebrated to the 21st.) (For the corresponding dates in our month, see Jewish calendar at the end of this volume.) The following are the principal passages in the Pentateuch relating to the Passover: (Exodus 12:1-51; 13:3-10; 23:14-19; 34:18-26; Leviticus 23:4-14; Numbers 9:1-14; 28:16-25; 16:1-6) Why instituted . --This feast was instituted by God to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and the sparing of their firstborn when the destroying…
Hebrew PESACH, Greek PASCHA, a passing over, a name given to the festival established and to the victim offered in commemoration of he coming forth out of Egypt, Ex 12:1-51; because the night before their departure, the destroying angel, who slew the firstborn of the Egyptians, passed over the houses of the Hebrews without entering them, they being marked with the blood of the lamb, which for this reason was called he Passover, Mr 14:12,14 1Co 5:7, or the paschal lamb.
The month of the exodus from Egypt, called Abib by Moses, and afterwards named Nisan, was ordained to be thereafter the first month of the sacred or ecclesiastical year. On the fourteenth day of this month, between the two evenings, (See EVENING,) they were to…
חֹ֫דֶשׁ (chodesh) refers to the concept of newness, specifically the new moon and the month. It denotes both the lunar month and the first day of that month. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to timekeeping in the Hebrew calendar.
חֹ֫דֶשׁ 282 n.m. (newness), new moon, month
base
H2320 חֹ֫דֶשׁ (newness), new moon, month
2320 chodesh kho'-desh
from 2318; the new moon; by implication, a
month:--month(-ly), new moon.
see HEBREW for 02318
חֹ֫דֶשׁ (cho.desh) — month.
: month
1) the new moon, month, monthly
1a) the first day of the month
1b) the lunar month
חֹ֫דֶשׁ (cho.desh) — month: new moon.
: new_moon
1) the new moon, month, monthly
1a) the first day of the month
1b) the lunar month
Also means: cho.desh (חֹ֫דֶשׁ ": month" H2320)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
munth (chodhesh, yerach; men): Chodhesh is strictly the "new moon," the appearance of which marked the beginning of the month, commonly indicated by ro'sh ha-chodhesh. Yerach is derived from yareach, "moon," which comes from the verb that means "to wander," "to make a circuit." Thus the month was lunar, the period of the moon's circuit. The Greek men also meant "moon," from the Sanskrit ma, "to measure," the Latin mensis and our "moon" being derived from the same root.
Month
Among the Egyptians the month of thirty days each was in use long before the time of the Exodus, and formed the basis of their calculations. From the time of the institution of the Mosaic law the month among the Jews was lunar. The cycle of religious feasts depended on the moon. The commencement of a month was determined by the observation of the new moon. The number of months in the year was usually twelve (1 Kings 4:7; 1 Chr. 27:1-15); but every third year an additional month (ve-Adar) was inserted, so as to make the months coincide with the seasons.
“The Hebrews and Phoenicians had no word for month save ’moon,’ and only saved their calendar from becoming vague like that of the Moslems by the interpolation of an additional month. There is no evidence at all that they ever…
From the time of the institution of the Mosaic law downward the religious feasts commencing with the passover depended not simply on the month, but on the moon; the 14th of Abib was coincident with the full moon; and the new moons themselves were the occasions of regular festivals. (Numbers 10:10; 28:11-14) The commencement of the month was generally decided by observation of the new moon. The usual number of months in a year was twelve, as implied in (1 Kings 4:7; 1 Chronicles 27:1-15) but since twelve lunar months would make but 354 1/2 days, the years would be short twelve days of the short twelve days of the true year, and therefore it follows as a matter of course that an additional month must have been inserted about…
The Hebrews months were lunar months, that is, from one new moon to another. These lunar months were each reckoned at twenty-nine days and a half; or rather, one was of thirty days, the following of twenty-nine, and so on alternately: that which had thirty days was called a full or complete month; that which had but twenty-nine days was called incomplete. The new moon was always the beginning of the month and this day they called new-moon day, or new month. The Hebrews usually designated the months only as first, second, etc.; and the names by which they are now known are believed to be of Persian origin, and to have been adopted by the Jews during the captivity. At the exodus from Egypt, which occurred in April, God ordained that that month-the seventh of the civil year—should be the first of the sacred year, according to which the religious festivals were to be reckoned; and from that…
שֵׁנִי (sheniy) means 'second' and can also imply 'again' or 'another.' It is an ordinal number used to denote position or sequence, as well as to indicate repetition. The word is derived from a root meaning 'double' and appears in various contexts in the Old Testament.
שֵׁנִי m. שֵׁנִית f. 157 adj.num.ord. second
base
H8145 שֵׁנִי m. שֵׁנִית f. adj. num. ord. second
8145 sheniy shay-nee'
from 8138; properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially,
again:--again, either (of them), (an-)other, second (time).
see HEBREW for 08138
שֵׁנִי (she.ni) — second.
1) second
1a) second (the ordinal number)
1b) again (a second time)
1c) another, other (something as distinct from something else)
Art | N-cs — ParticleHTd/Aomsa