2 Kings 23:21-23
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Hezekiah isn't just reminding them about Passover; he's calling them to obey a specific written instruction. The phrase "as it is written in this Book of the Covenant" highlights that obedience isn't just about feeling religious, but about adhering to God's precise, revealed commands. This is a profound call to a scripture-centered faith, not just a tradition.
And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Josiah has just discovered the lost Book of the Law in the Temple and, after hearing its contents, is overcome with conviction. He immediately rips his robes, realizing how far his people—and even his ancestors—have strayed from God's commands. This verse marks the beginning of Josiah's radical, nationwide reformation, a desperate effort to obey the newly rediscovered covenant and bring Israel back into alignment with God.
Picture this: a king standing before his people, not with a threat, but with a passionate call to remember and obey God's commands. Josiah’s decree here is a pivotal moment.
King Josiah, after discovering the Book of the Law, didn't just acknowledge it; he acted decisively. His command to 'Keep the Passover... as it is written' shows leadership rooted in obedience.
A Royal Decree
This wasn't a suggestion; it was a commandment from the highest authority in the land. Josiah understood that true worship and national well-being were inseparable from following God's explicit instructions.
Back to the Source
The phrase 'as it is written in this Book of the Covenant' highlights the supreme authority of God's Word. The specific details of the Passover, and indeed all of Israel's life, were to be governed by what was found in Scripture, not by tradition or popular opinion.
The Passover was a foundational event for Israel, a memory etched in blood and freedom. But Josiah’s command goes beyond a simple remembrance.
The Passover festival commemorated God's dramatic rescue of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It was a time to remember God's power, His faithfulness, and His covenant promises.
A Central Act of Faith
For Josiah to command it 'as it is written,' he was calling for a return to the and of this vital festival. This meant removing foreign influences and syncretistic practices that had crept in over time.
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A Sign of Renewed Covenant
By re-establishing the Passover according to the Book of the Covenant, Josiah was leading his people in a profound act of covenant renewal. It was a public declaration of their allegiance to the LORD alone and a rejection of the idolatry that had led them astray.
Understand the original words
pesach · Hebrew Noun
A festival commemorating the deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt, where the blood of a lamb on the doorposts caused the Lord to pass over the homes of the Israelites during the final plague. It came to symbolize God’s redemptive power and provision for His people.
berith · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or treaty between God and His people, often ratified by blood, establishing a relationship defined by divine obligations and blessings/curses. It characterizes God's gracious initiation of a covenantal relationship with Israel.
This verse captures a pivotal moment of religious restoration, sparked by the rediscovery of God's Law after a long period of neglect and idolatry. Josiah's command to keep the Passover highlights the direct link between obedience to Scripture and authentic worship.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its people and the decline of true worship.
c. 640-609 BC
Reign of Josiah
Josiah became king of Judah at a young age and, influenced by prophets like Jeremiah, sought to reform religious practices.
c. 622 BC— this verse
Discovery of the Book of the Law
During renovations in the Temple, the high priest Hilkiah found a scroll believed to be the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy). This sparked Josiah's reforms.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Great Passover
Immediately following the discovery and reading of the Law, Josiah led a sweeping Passover celebration, unlike any seen since the time of the judges.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon began deporting Judeans, including Jehoiakim and Daniel, marking the start of the Babylonian exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and completing the exile of Judah.
This passage lays out the original instructions for the Passover, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands, which King Josiah emphasizes in 2 Kings.
Deuteronomy 16:1-8This chapter reiterates the Passover regulations, stressing that it must be celebrated in the place the Lord chooses and according to His commands, echoing Josiah's adherence to the written Word.
2 Chronicles 35:1-19This account provides a parallel narrative to 2 Kings 23, detailing Josiah's enthusiastic celebration of the Passover and his generous provision for the people, underscoring the revival that followed the rediscovery of the Book of the Covenant.
Ezra 6:19-22This shows the Passover being celebrated after the exile by those who returned to Jerusalem, demonstrating the enduring significance of this festival and the return to covenant faithfulness.
Hezekiah isn't just reminding them about Passover; he's calling them to obey a specific written instruction. The phrase "as it is written in this Book of the Covenant" highlights that obedience isn't just about feeling religious, but about adhering to God's precise, revealed commands. This is a profound call to a scripture-centered faith, not just a tradition.
King Josiah has just discovered the lost Book of the Law in the Temple and, after hearing its contents, is overcome with conviction. He immediately rips his robes, realizing how far his people—and even his ancestors—have strayed from God's commands. This verse marks the beginning of Josiah's radical, nationwide reformation, a desperate effort to obey the newly rediscovered covenant and bring Israel back into alignment with God.
King Josiah has just discovered the lost Book of the Law in the Temple and, after hearing its contents, is overcome with conviction. He immediately rips his robes, realizing how far his people—and even his ancestors—have strayed from God's commands. This verse marks the beginning of Josiah's radical, nationwide reformation, a desperate effort to obey the newly rediscovered covenant and bring Israel back into alignment with God.
"And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of th…" — Hezekiah isn't just reminding them about Passover; he's calling them to obey a specific written instruction. The phrase "as it is written in this Book of the Covenant" highlights that obedience i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
