For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover other than the way it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good LORD pardon everyone
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 18. Ephraim and.… Issachar had not been mentioned before, verse 18. Bible.—Some indulgence was shewn to the tribes of Israel, which had been so long rebellious, for fear lest they should return no more; and because they had shewn a good will in procuring the Levites to slay the victims for them, as that was rightly judged a more sacred action than to partake of the feast. The law forbade, nevertheless, the unclean to approach to any thing sacred. Leviticus 15:31 and 22:4. Numbers 9:6. Calmet.—But a dispensation was granted, ( Menochius.) as the Passover could not be celebrated in any but the first or the second month. The people had come with such eagerness, that they had not time to acquire the purity required. Calmet.—They were however truly penitent, and God dispensed with them. Worthington.