2 Chronicles 30:18

A multitude. — Marbîth (2chron 96; 1 Chronicles 12:29). Only in the Chronicles in this sense. Else where the term means “increase” of children (1 Samuel 2:33), or of money, i.e., interest (τόκον, Leviticus 25:37).

Ephraim... Zebulun. — The names indicate a documental source.

Had not cleansed themselves. — As was natural in the case of persons who had long been estranged from the legal religion of Jehovah (hittèhârû, pausal form of hittâha˘rû, Ezra 6:20, occurs here only).

Yet did they eat... written. — But ate the Passover in non-accordance with the Scripture — i.e., in illegal fashion, being themselves unclean. (Comp. Numbers 9:6, seq., according to which unclean persons ‘were bound to abstain from eating the Passover until the fourteenth of the second month.)

But Hezekiah prayed. — For Hezekiah had prayed for them, and therefore their irregularity was condoned,

The good Lord. — Jehovah the good; so only here. (Comp. Psalms 25:8.)

Good — i.e., kind, generous; benignus, benevolus.

Pardon every one. — Properly, make atonement on behalf of every one (kipper bĕ ‘ad): Leviticus 16:6; Leviticus 16:11. In the sense of forgive the construction is different: Psalms 65:4; Ezekiel 16:63.