John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. So they established a decree, to make proclamation throughout all Israel , etc.] Passed a vote, that heralds should be appointed and sent to proclaim it throughout the land, that all might know it, and none plead ignorance: from Beersheba even to Dan ; the one being the southern and the other the northern boundary of the whole land of Israel: that they should come to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem : the only proper place where it was to be kept: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written ; as prescribed in the law those of the ten tribes had not observed it from the time of the schism of Jeroboam, and many in the kingdom of Judah had neglected it, at least had not kept it as the law required; for the phrase which we render “of a long time” rather respects a multitude of persons than length of time, who had been very deficient in their observance of this ordinance; the Targum is, that “many had not done it in its time, in Nisan,” and suggests that it was kept twice this year, first in Nisan by a few, and now again in the second month Ijar, and which is the sense of some Talmudic writers f126 , but has no foundation in the text.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - Hezekiah made Israel as welcome to the passover, as any of his ow subjects. Let us yield ourselves unto the Lord. Say not, you will do what you please, but resolve to do what he pleases. We perceive in the carnal mind a stiffness, an obstinacy, an unaptness to compel with God we have it from our fathers: this must be overcome. Those who, throug grace, have turned to God themselves, should do all they can to brin others to him. Numbers will be scorners, but some will be humbled an benefited; perhaps where least expected. The rich mercy of God is the great argument by which to enforce repentance; the vilest who submi and yield themselves to the Lord, seek his grace, and give themselve to his service, shall certainly be saved. Oh that messengers were sen forth to carry these glad tidings to every city and every village through every land!
Original Hebrew ויעמידו5975 דבר1697 להעביר5674 קול6963 בכל3605 ישׂראל3478 מבאר שׁבע884 ועד5704 דן1835 לבוא935 לעשׂות6213 פסח6453 ליהוה3068 אלהי430 ישׂראל3478 בירושׁלם3389 כי3588 לא3808 לרב7230 עשׂו6213 ככתוב׃3789
