- 146-
- With the generality of critics we read sh,ytebor]j;B] comp. Psalm 109:10.
It is with almost a sense of relief that we turn from scenes like these* to the celebration of
the Passover at Jerusalem by a people now at least outwardly purified and conformed to
the Mosaic law. Of this festival, and the special mode of its observance, a full account is
given in the Book of Chronicles** (2 Chronicles 35:1-19). This only need here be said,
that whether as regards the circumstances of king and people, or the manner of the
Paschal observance,
"surely there was not kept 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 23:22).***
- We have here to remember not only the preliminary character of the old dispensation,
but also what were the spirit and the circumstances of the time.
** It would occupy too much space to analyze that account in detail. We mark only the
following points as requiring briefest explanation. (a) From 2 Chronicles 35:3 it would
appear that the Ark had been removed from its place. This probably - for other
explanations have been offered - during the extensive repairs of the Temple. The most
natural view of the clause, which, literally translated, is, "There is not to you a bearing [or
burden] on the shoulder," would be to regard it as explanatory of the direction now to
place it in the Sanctuary. According to the letter of the Mosaic law, which had just been
so fully carried out, the Ark was to be carried on their shoulders. But now it was different
- and their service was confined to ministration in the Temple and to its worshippers
("and serve," etc.). (b) From 2 Chronicles 35:4 we infer that there were written directions - a regular rubric - both by David and by Solomon, for the various ministrations in the
Temple. But this, in our view, presupposes and implies the existence of the "Priest-
Code"in the Pentateuch. And here it should also be noticed that Josiah seems to take for
granted a general knowledge of these priestly regulations and rubrics. (c) As regards the
date of the Passover: "in the 18th year of Josiah," it is evident that the commencement of
his Reformation, in the 18th year of his reign, was reckoned from the beginning of the
civil year in the autumn (or Tishri), so that all could easily have been completed in spring
[Nisan], when the Passover fell.
*** The Passover was not only more universally attended than ever before, but observed
in strictest accordance with all the requirements of the Mosaic Law [not merely according
to former precedents]. Even in the Passover of Hezekiah there had. necessarily been a
breach of the strict letter of the law (2 Chronicles 30:2, 3, 17-20).
(^)