II Chronicles 35:12 · Bible study
2 Chronicles 35:12 Commentary: Removing the Burnt Offerings in Josiah's Passover
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the meaning of 'they removed the burnt offerings' in Josiah's Passover.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The Levites separated burnt offerings from Passover lambs to distribute among family divisions, following Mosaic regulations.
- Key words: H5493 sur (remove), H5930 ‘olah (burnt offering), H4653 miflaggah (division), H1004 beit avot (fathers’ house).
- Main debate: Whether they removed whole animals designated for burnt offerings or removed specific parts (fat, kidneys) to be burned.
- Theological theme: Worship must be shaped by God’s written Word, with careful attention to the covenant community.
- Best use: Illustrates the importance of orderly, Scripture-grounded worship; a model for joint participation of clergy and laity.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
They set aside the burnt offerings to be given to the divisions of the families of the people to offer to the LORD, as is written in the Book of Moses; and they did the same with the bulls.
WEB World English Bible 2000
They removed the burnt offerings, that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of the children of the people, to offer to Yahweh, as it is written in the book of Moses. They did the same with the cattle.
KJV King James Version 1769
And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And they removed the burnt-offerings, that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of the children of the people, to offer unto Jehovah, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and they turn aside the burnt-offering, to put them by the divisions of the house of the fathers of the sons of the people, to bring near to Jehovah, as it is written in the book of Moses--and so to the oxen.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And they set apart the burnt-offerings to give them to the classes of the fathers' houses of the children of the people, to present them to Jehovah, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so [did they] with the oxen.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And they separated them, to give them by the houses and families of every one, and to be offered to the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses, and with the oxen they did in like manner.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Tomaron luego del holocausto, para dar conforme á los repartimientos por las familias|strong="H1004, H0001" de los del pueblo, á fin de que ofreciesen á Jehová, según está escrito en el libro de Moisés: y asimismo tomaron de los bueyes.
Tomaram logo do holocausto, para dar conforme as repartições pelas famílias dos do povo, a fim de que oferecessem ao SENHOR, segundo está escrito no livro de Moisés: e também tomaram dos bois.
Ils mirent à part les holocaustes pour les donner aux différentes maisons paternelles des gens du peuple, afin qu’ ils les offrissent à l’ Éternel, comme il est écrit dans le livre de Moïse; et de même pour les bœufs.
Und die Brandopfer taten sie davon, daß sie die gäben unter die Teile der Vaterhäuser des Volks, dem HERRN zu opfern. Wie es geschrieben steht im Buch Mose' s. So taten sie mit den Rindern auch.
En zij namen het brandoffer daar af, opdat zij die naar de verdelingen der vaderlijke huizen, aan het volk geven mochten, om den HEERE te offeren, gelijk geschreven is in het boek van Mozes; en alzo met de runderen.
E i Leviti misero da parte quello che doveva essere arso, per darlo ai figliuoli del popolo, secondo i rami delle case paterne, perché l’offrissero all’Eterno, secondo ch’è scritto nel libro di Mosè. E lo stesso fecero per i buoi.
I podzielili z nich na całopalenie, aby to dali pospólstwu według podziałów domów ojcowskich na ofiarę Panu, jako napisane w księgach Mojżeszowych; także też uczynili z strony wołów.
и распределили назначенное для всесожжения, чтобы раздать то по отделениям поколений у сынов народа, для принесения Господу, как написано в книге Моисеевой. То же сделали и с волами.
將燔祭 搬來，按著宗 族 的班次 分 給眾 民，好照摩西 書上 所寫的，獻 給耶和華；獻牛 也是這樣。
And they took away the burned offerings, so that they might give them to be offered to the Lord for the divisions of the families of the people, as it is recorded in the book of Moses. And they did the same with the oxen.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Chronicles 35:12
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the Levites’ action ensured the proper joint observance of Passover and burnt offerings according to Mosaic Law. The key question is what exactly was “removed.” Barnes’ Notes explains they separated the portions to be burned from the Paschal lambs and gave them to the offerers to take to the altar. Gill’s Exposition describes the removal of the fat of the inwards, kidneys, and caul of the liver. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown states that some of the small cattle designed for burnt offerings were set apart so they would not be intermingled. While the precise referent varies slightly, all acknowledge the Levites separated and distributed the burnt offerings among the family divisions, as written in the Law (cf. Leviticus 3:3, 16). The phrase “as it is written in the book of Moses” anchors the entire procedure in the Torah, showing Josiah’s reform was a return to strict scriptural observance.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Separation of animals: Barnes and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown: the Levites set apart whole animals that were to be burnt offerings, giving them to family groups for presentation at the altar.
- Removal of sacrificial parts: Gill: the Levites removed the fat and specified inner parts from the animals, as required in Leviticus 3:3, 9, 14, giving the rest for the people to use.
What is clear: The Levites followed the Law of Moses by carefully separating burnt offerings from the Passover lambs and distributing them among the family divisions so that the people could present them to the Lord.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'removed the burnt offerings' | The Levites separated the burnt offerings from the Passover lambs to avoid confusion. | Barnes and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown see the removal of whole animals designated for burnt offerings. Gill sees the removal of fat and priestly portions from the animals before distribution. |
| Distribution method | The burnt offerings were given according to the 'divisions of the fathers’ houses' of the people. | Some see this as distribution along clan lines within the laity; others as distribution to the temple divisions already mentioned for priests and Levites. |
| Reference to the book of Moses | The phrase 'as it is written' anchors the procedure in the Torah, specifically the regulations for peace and burnt offerings. | Most connect it to Leviticus 3 (peace offering fat removed); Wesley also cites Numbers 28 for burnt offerings during Passover. The exact passage is not specified in the verse. |
| Role of Levites vs. priests | Levites performed the removal and distribution; priests received the offerings at the altar. | Whether Levites could directly handle the burnt offerings or only the priests is not explicit. The verse shows Levites taking the lead in separation and distribution. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Josiah’s Passover, described in 2 Chronicles 35, marks one of the most significant religious reforms in Judah’s history. The discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple (2 Kings 22) had stirred the king to purge idolatry and restore covenant worship. For this Passover, Josiah centralized the celebration in Jerusalem, as Deuteronomy 16 required. The king himself donated 30,000 lambs and kids and 3,000 bullocks from his own flocks (v. 7). His officials and temple rulers added thousands more (vv. 8, 9).
The sheer scale of offerings demanded careful organization. The priests and Levites were arranged in their divisions, as David and Solomon had prescribed (v. 4). The Levites slaughtered the Passover lambs (v. 11), while the priests sprinkled the blood. In verse 12, the focus shifts to the burnt offerings. These were not the same as the Passover lambs, which were eaten sacramentally. The burnt offerings were wholly consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication. The Levites “removed” these, whether the animals themselves or the parts to be burned, and distributed them according to the “fathers’ houses” of the people, so each family could present its offering to the Lord.
The phrase “as it is written in the book of Moses” points to Leviticus 3, which details the peace offering procedure: the fat, kidneys, and liver are to be burned on the altar. Wesley’s Explanatory Notes suggests that some of the cattle were for burnt offerings and had to be separated from those for peace offerings. The meticulous handling reflects a people determined to follow every detail of the Torah after years of neglect. The result was a Passover without parallel since the days of Samuel (v. 18).
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The Hebrew text is stable across medieval manuscripts, with no disagreements that affect the meaning. The verb form va/yasiru (Hiphil of H5493, “remove”) is consistently attested.
Reception History
This verse has not been a major locus of doctrinal debate in church history. It is cited by Reformation-era commentators as an example of Scripture-regulated worship, arguing that God prescribes the form as well as the heart of worship. The verse appears in discussions of the continuity between Old Testament sacrificial practice and the order of Christian worship, where the details of the Passover preparation illustrate the seriousness with which God’s people should approach His presence. In more recent church teaching, it serves as a model for corporate worship that involves both clergy and laity in their respective roles.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Command: The Levites acted “as it is written in the book of Moses.” Their obedience shows that true worship is shaped by Scripture, not by tradition or convenience.
- The Community: The offerings were distributed by the divisions of the fathers’ houses, involving the whole people. Worship gathers and unites the family of God.
- The Cult: The burnt offerings reminded the nation of their need for atonement and complete devotion. Every detail pointed to God’s holiness.
Five-point outline
- Preparation: The Levites removed the burnt offerings from the Passover lambs.
- Distribution: They gave them to the family divisions.
- Presentation: The people brought them to the altar.
- Prescription: Everything followed the book of Moses.
- Participation: Even the cattle were included, showing no detail was overlooked.
Illustration hooks
- Planning a church potluck where specific dishes are designated for certain groups, requiring careful separation to avoid confusion.
- A family dividing tasks for a large celebration, each person responsible for a key part so everything comes together on time.
- A community following a complex recipe exactly, discovering that skipping a step ruins the dish, the details matter.
Questions your congregation is asking
- What does an Old Testament procedure like this have to do with us today?
- Does God still care about the specific details of our worship, or is the heart enough?
- How can we ensure our church practices are faithful to Scripture without becoming rigid or legalistic?
Leading a Discussion
This verse shows the careful attention Josiah’s reformers gave to following the Law. The Levites separated the burnt offerings and distributed them by family divisions. What did this mean for the people, and what does it mean for us? Use the questions below to explore together.
Discussion questions
- What exactly did the Levites do when they “removed the burnt offerings”? Try to describe the action in your own words.
- Why was it important to follow the “book of Moses” for this procedure? What does that tell you about the role of Scripture in worship?
- The offerings were distributed to the “divisions of the fathers’ houses.” How did this structure include everyone in the worship?
- In verse 13, the holy offerings were boiled and carried quickly to the people. What does this speed show about the care and reverence involved?
- How might the careful separation of lamb, bull, and burnt offering apply to our own habits of worship or service today?
- Does attention to detail in worship feel stifling or freeing to you? Why?
- How can your group encourage one another to obey Scripture not just in big decisions but in the small, practical ones?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 3:3 | He shall offer of the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh. The fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards, |
| Leviticus 3:5 | Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh. |
| Leviticus 3:9 | He shall offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Yahweh; its fat, the entire tail fat, he shall take away close to the backbone; and the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is on the entrails, |
| Leviticus 3:11 | The priest shall burn it on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire to Yahweh. |
| Leviticus 3:14 | He shall offer from it as his offering, an offering made by fire to Yahweh; the fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards, |
| Leviticus 3:16 | The priest shall burn them on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma; all the fat is Yahweh’s. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes observes that the people separated the parts meant for the burnt offering from the Passover lambs themselves. These portions were then given to the offerers, who carried them up to the altar and handed them directly to the officiating priests. This detail highlights the careful distinction between different sacrifices during the temple ritual.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes a translation correction: what some versions render as "families of the people" is more precisely given in the Revised Version as "fathers' houses of the children of the people." This change narrows the grouping from a general family reference to the specific patriarchal household units.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note emphasizes the careful, orderly distribution of the burnt offerings according to family divisions, exactly as Moses commanded. The Levites set aside portions for the people's families to present to the Lord, and they followed the same procedure for the bulls.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill emphasizes the careful separation of the sacrificial animals: the parts meant for burnt offerings, such as the fat and kidneys, were taken away from the passover lambs and oxen. This ensured that only the prescribed portions were burned, following exactly what Moses had written in the Law.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the careful separation of burnt offerings from the paschal lambs to prevent any mixing. Family subdivisions then processed solemnly to the altar, where priests took the cut portions and laid them on the fire of the burnt offering.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes that the Chronicler alone separates Josiah's reforming activity into distinct chronological phases: seeking God in his eighth year,
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry highlights that Josiah's Passover was not just a ritual but a carefully restored act of obedience to God's law, carried out with order and generous provision from the king and leaders. For Henry, the detail shows that true reform requires both proper structure and willing, cheerful support from those in authority.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley distinguishes two practical details: the people separated smaller livestock meant for burnt offerings from those intended for the Passover lambs, and they also set apart oxen for burnt offerings from those for peace offerings. He notes the language describes giving before offering, a common biblical inversion.